Job Discussion Forums

lynneireland · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 11

Hi guys.

I have just gotten my first teaching job abroad and it is in Dubai. I am not starting until august and have decided to put my free time this summer to good use and learn a language that will aid me the uae.

Although I know that arabic is technically the national language I have heard that it is a very cosmopoliton country with the population consisting of individuals from 100s of different backgrounds and so my question is what language do you think would best serve me in the uae??

Thanks,
L.I

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

English.

Nordic · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 22

Hindi

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Russian

Iamherebecause · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Spend your time learning classical Arabic unless you're going to be teaching in an Indian school, then learn either Hindi or Urdu.

lynneireland · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 11

Thanks, Zoot. It is an english language school I will be teaching in.

Also to the rest of you....I get it, you can learn anything Laughing

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

I wouldn't say anything...English will probably get you the furthest, followed by Hindi/Urdu. I'm not sure why classical Arabic would be of any use (Zoot, am interested as to why you suggested it)...Modern Standard Arabic might be of some use in terms of basic reading ability.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Classical Arabic because it means being able to communicate with the Moroccans, Egyptians, Lebanese, Emirati and every other Arab speaker in the UAE even though they may not be able to use their own language with each other, they can all understand classical arabic