One of the biggest problems with many Arabic language textbooks is that they are almost completely devoid of historical content.
They are often overly ‘cultural’, sometimes bland; even wishy-washy.
Imagine studying a language for years and then finally travel to the target culture/country to discover that ordinary people talk about politics all the time.
That historical and political events shape everyday conversations.
That people are living the consequences of those events.
I would be completely lost. زي الأطرش في الزفة
And there’s another layer to this.
Some teachers say that their job is to teach the language, not to express opinions.
But wearing a mask in the classroom is not professionalism.
If students ask what we think, we should answer as honestly as circumstances allow. And some of you will read more into that than others.
When students ask those questions, it is usually because they trust you.
They are trying to make sense of the world.
And students can detect a non-genuine answer miles away.
In the end, it’s your choice:
Be a real person to your students.
Or be a faceless embodiment of the curriculum.
