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Since 2020, Culturingua has hosted an annual summer Arab Culture and Arabic language camp in partnership with various schools across San Antonio. One such school is Advanced Learning Academy (ALA) in San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). The Principal of ALA, Kathy Bieser, said, “ALA is committed to growing students' global competence, and we are so pleased to be working in partnership with Culturingua to bring Arabic cultural and language studies to our students.” The Arabic Summer Camp focuses on teaching youth the culture, arts, and language of the Arab world.
During the Level One camp, students “toured” six countries in the Arab World. Lessons in Lebanon focused on food as well as the goal of ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture. The lessons in Morocco gave students an opportunity to shop virtually in a market and learn currency and counting skills as well as the sustainability goal of promoting decent work and economic growth. The lessons in Qatar focused on animals, where they live, and the threats they face, as well as current efforts to protect Qatari wildlife. The focus on Palestine was on celebrations where students learned how to perform the “Debke,” a traditional Palestinian dance performed at joyous occasions.
The students also explored weather and clothing and compared the climates of Syria and Texas. The lessons covering Saudi Arabia taught students the Arabic terms for colors and shapes while focusing on female artists and the sustainability goal of gender equality.
Check out the pictures below of what two students created in their class!
Students learned about Saudi artist Dana Awartani...
...and then practiced Arabic colors on their own art.
Students read poems by Naomi Shihab Nye about family heritage, cultural responsibilities, cooking traditions and more.
Level Two students further developed skills learned in Level One, with a focus through the week on identity. Students learned how to describe themselves and others and played virtual games describing characters.
Lessons also focused on how to ask different questions about family and culture. Students compared their favorite hobbies with hobbies in Arab countries. By the end of the week, students were able to identify a person based on descriptions, as well as create a presentation on their life!
Students also delved into poems of the Middle East from the book 19 Varieties of Gazelle (pictured to the left) by internationally-renowned San Antonio resident Naomi Shahab Nye. These poems explored ideas of family heritage, cultural responsibilities, cooking traditions, and more!
Jude, a level one student, making tabouleh
Olivia, a level two student, making lemonade and halwa.
Ellie, a level one student, with her finished tabouleh
Sommer, a level two student, with her finished lemonade and halwa.
This program was made possible through support and funding from Qatar Foundation International (QFI). QFI engages a diverse, global community of learners and educators, fostering cross-cultural connections through the exploration of the Arabic language and the Arab world's histories, cultures, and peoples in student- centered learning environments. QFI is headquartered in Washington, DC and is a member of Qatar Foundation (QF). To learn more about QFI please visit: QFI's website.
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