1. Creating Peace: Creating Effective Teachers of Arabic in Bahrain Dr. Hanada Taha-Thomure Language Acquisition Resource Center at San Diego State University

2. Arabic Programs at LARC Teaching Arabic language. Teaching Arabic language. Developing Arabic language instructional materials. Developing Arabic language instructional materials. Training teachers in student-centered and communicative language approaches. Training teachers in student-centered and communicative language approaches. Outreach through after school Arabic programs and teacher training. Outreach through after school Arabic programs and teacher training.

3. Bahrain Teachers College An autonomous College within the University of Bahrain. An autonomous College within the University of Bahrain. Train all new teachers and upgrade the skills of existing teachers, head teachers, and selected specialists. Train all new teachers and upgrade the skills of existing teachers, head teachers, and selected specialists. Under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education Under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education Ensure programs are consistent, relevant, of an appropriate quality and comprehensively address teachers' needs. Ensure programs are consistent, relevant, of an appropriate quality and comprehensively address teachers' needs. Extensive support from The National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore, a leading international provider in teacher training. Extensive support from The National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore, a leading international provider in teacher training.

4. The Case of Arabic Language Training Arabic language teachers by proxy. Training Arabic language teachers by proxy. 135 public schools Arabic Observed. 135 public schools Arabic Observed. Teacher-centered Teacher-centered Textbook dominated Textbook dominated Rote learning. Rote learning. No concept of reading. No concept of reading.

5. Statistics According to UNESCO, there are 40 million children who do not attend school in the Arab world. According to UNESCO, there are 40 million children who do not attend school in the Arab world. In Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunis, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Syria, and UAE = 80% In Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunis, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Syria, and UAE = 80% Libya and Saudi Arabia < 70% Libya and Saudi Arabia < 70% Morocco, Sudan and Yemen< 60% Morocco, Sudan and Yemen< 60%

6. Boys Schools

7. Girls Schools

8. The Result? High drop out rates. High drop out rates. Lack of proficiency in the language. Lack of proficiency in the language. Teachers who are out of touch. Teachers who are out of touch. Heyneman in 1997 found that 13 year old Jordanian students had so much less basic knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic than those who are 14 in another country. In 1995, the National Research Center administered Arabic language tests for 4908 students in 4th grade in 205 schools in Jordan and found that the percentage of correct answers given was 54%. Heyneman in 1997 found that 13 year old Jordanian students had so much less basic knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic than those who are 14 in another country. In 1995, the National Research Center administered Arabic language tests for 4908 students in 4th grade in 205 schools in Jordan and found that the percentage of correct answers given was 54%. 51% for boys, and 57% for girls 51% for boys, and 57% for girls

9. What are we doing? Introduce the concept of classroom libraries (MEPI & Scholastic). Introduce the concept of classroom libraries (MEPI & Scholastic). Train teachers through intensive summer institutes starting this summer. Train teachers through intensive summer institutes starting this summer.

10. Teacher Training