This Sunday, the 4th of February, one will have the opportunity to take part in an exciting activity. The Al Twar Public Library in Dubai will organise a free lesson on Emirati Arabic for beginners. The lesson is organised by Al Ramsa Institute for Emirati Arabic language: a language centre based in Dubai which was co-founded by Hanan AlFardan and Abdula Al Kaabi. The event will start at 4 PM and end at 6 PM. No registration is required.
Many people in the UAE speak the Emirati dialect of Arabic. It is much different from Standard Arabic and has its own grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Besides, the dialect is spoken differently in various regions of the country. Although learning Emirati Arabic is admittedly not easy, it is a rewarding experience. First of all, it can help one better understand the Emirates’ amazing traditions and customs. So if delving deeper into the country’s rich culture is your dream, the upcoming language lesson at the Al Twar library may become the great first step to make your dream come true.
About Hanan AlFardan
An Emirati entrepreneur who has always been passionate about teaching, Hanan AlFardan obtained a Master’s degree in International Policy & Management in Education from British University (Dubai). She was also among Zayed University’s students, majoring in International Studies. AlFardan worked in the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), but after having established the Al Ramsa Institute, at one point, she resigned and started working full-time on it.
AlFardan used to work with non-Arabs, and her colleagues got interested in speaking Arabic (Emirati Arabic) to get along with locals. She started teaching them simple sentences until she got more demands from different people. In 2011, AlFardan launched a YouTube channel (“Emirati Arabic”) to promote her native dialect, which eventually led to the founding of the Al Ramsa language centre.
The Institute has developed ten books on spoken Emirati Arabic of various levels for students; AlFardan herself has designed and developed these learning materials. It offers several courses: one can choose to learn the language face-to-face or online, in a group or privately. In addition, there are special corporate courses available.
About the library
The Al Twar Public Library, which was founded in 2007, boasts an astonishing book collection featuring 68,033 titles and offers multiple research facilities attracting scholars and students. There is also a special section for children with an activity room and a plethora of books for them. In addition, kids are invited to participate in summer and winter camps as well as regular workshops organised by the library. It also hosts diverse events that adult visitors may find interesting, such as community reading and a variety of book events. A remarkable feature of the library is a garden area perfect for those looking for a place to read comfortably.
Location: Al Twar Area 1
Working hours:
Sunday—Thursday: 8 AM — 8 PM
Friday: 8 AM — 12 PM
Please, note that the library is closed on Saturday.
You might also be interested in reading about the other three Dubai public libraries: the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, the Umm Suqeim Library, and the Al Safa Art and Design Library.
