This article was published in "Kol Ness Ziona" , Ness Ziona's local newspaper, on December 21st, 2007.



"Let's Talk..." Arabic Too!
By Adi Savir

Central District Director Dr. Soli Natan visits Ness Ziona schools and inspects the accomplishments of the Arabic\Shared Citizenship program "Let's Talk".

Last Sunday Central District Director Dr. Soli Natan paid a visit to two schools in our city [Ness Ziona] - "Hadar" and "Rishonim" - as part of a presentation which focused on the "Let's Talk" program and the "New Horizon" educational reform. 

The "New Horizon" reform and its advantages, including pupil-specific teaching hours, were presented first - at "Hadar" School. The school principal, ministry representatives and MERCHAVIM Institute representatives then presented the rationale of the "Let's Talk" program - which is presented in Arabic and Hebrew. Both teachers and students learn about difference, getting to know "others" and respecting them in this communicative Arabic program which emphasizes spoken language, in order to advance shared citizenship. The program is taught in elementary Jewish-Israeli state schools in the Central District and is implemented in collaboration between the Central District, the Joint Staff for the Implementation of the Shenhar-Kremnitzer Reports, the Arabic language supervisors, and MERCHAVIM - The Institute for the Advancement of Shared Citizenship in Israel.

The program's objective is to encourage students to study the Arabic language, to become acquainted with the culture of Israel's Arab citizens, to help them to get to know each other - and to appreciate and understand diversity within the classroom, the school and Israeli society.

Students learn to speak and understand Arabic and are exposed, over the course of the program, to shared citizenship issues, while dealing with subjects such as identity, as expressed in names, clothing and culture; similarity and difference between people, as far as looks and characteristics; family histories, Arabic calligraphy, and more...

After the program was presented, the visitors watched a class on this subject and a conversation was held with students, followed by a summary with the principal and the Arabic teacher, during which the teacher, Hulud, stated: "It is important for us to create an additional language with the children, so we can speak and feel together."

The visitors watched a "Let's Talk" class at "Rishonim" school as well, which was followed by a conversation with the students and a summary with the principal and the Arabic teacher, during which the teacher, Maisoun, stated: "I feel that I have succeeded and that I have managed to accomplish my personal goal."

At the day drew to an end, a panel discussion took place, conducted by Ms. Adi Millstein, and with the participation of all the elementary school principals in Ness Ziona, the city's Arabic teachers, student groups, and representatives from both schools.

The discussion focused on the contribution of the program to the schools in which it is taught - students, teachers and the whole community benefits. During the discussion mention was made of the rich work that is being carried out with the students, the importance of shared citizenship studies for students, who are the leaders of the future, and the desire to expand the program to other schools. The teachers stated that working with the students was amazing. Though the physical distance between the cities is not great, the difference is. Some of the parents' attitudes are clearly changing following the children's.

Summing up the day, Central District Director Dr. Soli Natan thanked the representatives of the local authority and the school administrators for the enjoyable and interesting visit, stating: "I was very impressed by the school's activity and the didactic work being done regarding the "Let's Talk" program. We will take action to implement the program in the entire district. I would like to thank the teachers and guides for correct pedagogic work. I have seen here an issue that can be advanced brilliantly - where the investment is not great and the results are apparent everywhere. I hope that the teachers will serve as ambassadors in their hometowns - not only as far as teaching Arabic is concerned, but in regard to other subjects as well, so that teachers from the Arab sector will come and teach in Jewish schools."


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