Middle East studies in the News

More Chicago Public Schools Students to Learn Arabic

by Angie Leventis Lourgos
Chicago Breaking News
November 10, 2009

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/11/more-chicago-public-schools-students-to-learn-arabic.html

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/8661

The Chicago Public School District is expanding its Arabic language program to three additional schools and adding more online instruction in the language. The moves are paid for by a three-year $888,000 U.S. Department of Education grant.

Mayor Richard Daley announced the grant today at Durkin Park Elementary School, 8445 S. Kolin Ave., where kindergarten through fifth-grade students are already taught Arabic.

School officials said they hadn't decided which schools will get the new Arabic programs.

About 2,000 students at 10 schools citywide already take Arabic.

Daley said students need as much foreign language instruction as possible because it's a skill that's critical to competing in an international work force.

"As you become a more global city, it's important to learn more languages," he said.

Daley added that the district had already received another $1.6 million in other state and federal funds to help augment Arabic language instruction.

Note: Articles listed under "Middle East studies in the News" provide information on current developments concerning Middle East studies on North American campuses. These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Watch and do not necessarily correspond to Campus Watch's critique.

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