British Council plans to launch Arab education in UK schools: Director

AILYN AGONIA

DOHA Qatar the British Council, in collaboration with partners, plans to launch an Arabic language program in selected schools in the United Kingdom this fall, British Council Qatar Director Martin Hope has said.

Talk to Qatar Tribune hope said that the program three years should be performed in British schools, where Arabic is not taught, in accordance with British Council program involvement between young people in the United Kingdom and other countries through the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

"As part of our mission as a cultural relations organisation, it is important that we do not only English but also abroad British encourage young people to learn the languages of the world. We have been successful in the past in promoting Mandarin in UK schools and this year during Qatar-UK 2013 we focus on the Arabic language, "said hope.

He added, "We hope Qatari partners in this program benefit from their expertise and experience.

In the coming months, we plan to more programs and as part of Qatar-UK 2013 celebrations related to science and to organize sports competitions. " British Council is also this year with Qatar Foundation innovation World Summit for education (WISE) for hosting a debate will be held in Manchester in June. The debate, which Qatari students studying in bringing together different parts of the United Kingdom will, will address the role of the teacher in modern technology-driven world.

At this time, British Council English teaching Center in Doha has over 1,500 students enrolled in General English and business English courses, are more than 50 percent of that Qataris.

Hope said one of their goals is to get more Qatari students, teachers and business professionals to reach and to benefit from their specialized courses, in which also soon a program academic writing and soft skill courses for business people.

Hope described the progress of the Qatar-UK year of culture 2013 under the leadership of the British Council in partnership with the Qatar museums authority (QMA) and other local agencies as ' successful ' by as much as 30 events so far have organized including the launch of the Qatar-UK Alumni network by HRH the Prince of Wales.

He also expressed his gratitude QMA, the Ministry of culture and Katara Cultural Village for their strong support during the year.

He added that more events-such as programs and competitions to science and sports-related in the country will take place in the coming months.

The British Council is the United Kingdom International Organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.