Relevance of Understanding Culture when Teaching Arabic

First, let me start by being very honest. I am very westernized, so my perceptions and views are slightly different from what a fellow Arab may deem as an appropriate answer. However, in the namesake of education and learning here are some thoughts.

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the form of Arabic language that we learn in formal settings and schools. Dialects are different as they are broken in context depending on the region and the tribes in the respective Arab speaking countries. When it comes to teaching MSA, it just happens that the language the Koran is also written in MSA.

Therefore, many strongly feel and believe that unless one can speak perfect MSA just as if they would read it with utmost respect when reading the Koran, it is best not to attempt speaking in MSA. Given the circumstances, that learners will try their best to communicate in the Arabic language, and if MSA is what they learned, ideally, it would be wise to bring to light the fact that one’s Arabic is not perfect and apologize for any errors in advance.

Sincerity in this case will save the individual from being dismissed to communicate, and will allow the individuals at chance at keeping an open mind, and ear because the effort in wanting to communicate is there.

Think in terms of a job interview. You would want to know about the company’s history; how the company functions, and what the management style is like, in order to have a somewhat basic understanding of what you are getting into. Alternatively, you are now displaying some knowledge, no matter how basic that knowledge is; and this is something the company will appreciate.

Keeping this concept in mind will greatly affect the dynamic of teaching the language, especially to students who wish to pursue speaking and dealing with Arabic speaking individuals. If students have done some personal research or studied up on the region and believe what they have read and heard, remind them that putting the knowledge to practice is much more difficult than one can think.
Practice and constant involvement in the subject matter will certainly enhance the learning experience, beyond just knowing the basics and acting like a robot if you are actually dealing with an Arabic speaking individual.

The goal is to effectively, have students understand the importance of culture in terms of relevance to conduct and behavior and speaking the language respectfully; and how to render the necessary courtesies because the culture in that specific environment follows that trend and practices that trend as a routine in their daily lives.

Understanding and embracing the culture in this sense, is not automatic submission to the other party, rather, one is creating a communication process that freely allows open communication.