Qatar Foundation International (QFI) has awarded two separate grants – a total of $179,374.22– to the Minneapolis Public School District (MPS) and the Tucson Unified School District, to expand and establish in-school Arabic programmes in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Tucson, Arizona.
QFI has awarded grants in the amount of $68,305.34 to MPS to support their Arabic programming during 2016-2017 and a grant worth $111,068.88 to Tucson Unified aimed at expanding their Arabic programmes and existing partnership with QFI. This furthers QFI’s mission to inspire meaningful connections to the Arab world through language education and cultural-exchange.
Minneapolis Public School is the only one that offers Arabic from elementary to high school level in the twin cities. With the grant, MPS will solidify the Arabic pathway from Lyndale Elementary School, Ramsey Middle School, to Washburn High School. The grant supports two teachers who will teach at the three schools, including funding for teacher salaries, International Baccalaureate programme training, and cultural events.
“Minneapolis Public School believes in providing an urban education that prepares students to be global citizens,” said superintendent Ed Graff. “Thanks to this partnership, our students will have even more opportunities to learn important languages useful for both college and career.”
The grant with Tucson Unified expands QFI programming in the state of Arizona. Growing from the in-school programme at Cholla Magnet High School, Tucson Unified will establish an Arabic feeder programme at three more schools; Wright Elementary School, Doolen Middle School, and Catalina High School.
With the addition of these schools, a cadre of Arabic teachers will be formed to coordinate cultural activities and organise outreach efforts to increase enrolment in K-12 Arabic classes. Planned activities include Arabic Language and Culture Day, presentations to parents and students, and attending Tucson Unified events to promote Arabic language and culture.
“Tucson Unified is committed to offering a global education, and we are excited that this partnership allows us to expand opportunities for our students and our community to learn more about the world,” said superintendent H.T. Sanchez.
QFI sees language as a vehicle to connect cultures, and has partnered with 25 K-12 schools across the United States, allowing students to gain a foothold in the Arabic language from a young age and gain 21st century skills applicable in a global market. Arabic is spoken by over 400 million people worldwide is the fastest-growing second language in the United States and has helped US students pursue careers in business, journalism, diplomacy, national security, and much more.
“QFI partners with school districts across the US to advance Arabic language learning and the understanding of Arab culture to develop global competency and critical 21st century skills that young Americans need to compete globally,” said Maggie Mitchell Salem, QFI’s executive director.
