The Argument in Favor of Arabic in Qatari Schools - Term Paper Example

Those who are elated believe that this is a “validation of their mother tongue” (Huge Response), while those who are opposed are incredibly worried about the job opportunities for graduates, as well as the universities international accreditation (Compromising). Thought his decision is doubtless controversial, it is also incredibly necessary – Qatar university has been bowing to international pressures and dissatisfying its student population for too long with its regressive insistence that all courses, regardless of subject, be taught in Arabic.

This decision takes important choices out of the hands of students, where they belong. Probably the single most important reason to back this decision is that it further empowers students at the university to be in control of their own education. Previous to this decision, it was necessary for everyone entering the university to pass an English aptitude test (Arabic vs English), and those who failed to do so would have to spend one or more years on their English aptitude before being admitted.

This is an incredibly foolish decision, as it forces every student, regardless of their particular need or career aspiration to undergo what could be for them unnecessary training. There is nothing stopping members of Qatar University who will need specialized English training to accomplish their goals in their careers from taking those English courses, yet this stops the wasteful practice of forcing someone who, for instance, is certain they want to achieve a career in the Qatari government, from learning a language that will not be useful to them.

Beyond simply giving those who do not need specialized English the opportunity to learn without forcing themselves to learn a foreign tongue, this decision also provides more freedom for those who do wish to learn English as part of their education. Previously, such English abilities were a prerequisite to taking any class at the university. Now, students can choose when and how to be able to strengthen their English skills – they can do it before they attend the university, as they would have had to do under the previous system, but they can also now choose to take English classes along with their other studies, or even examine their job prospects after graduation, and then take additional English as necessary.

When one examines the subjects covered by this decision, it simply makes good sense. The subjects now taught in Arabic will be “Law, Media Studies, Business Administration and International Affairs” – which all make sense to be taught in Arabic. Though in the 1980s it might have been necessary to speak English to succeed in those areas, more and more Arabic will be the norm as Arab countries grow more powerful and prominent on the international stage. Why, for instance, would someone studying Qatari law need to speak English?

The law they will be studying and practicing is written in Arabic. Furthermore, more and more international corporations are establishing Arabic as a language of commerce so English requirements are less stringent than they used to be. Finally, a majority of students support this decision – by about twenty percent (Huge Response). It is understandable that many people think speaking English will be helpful on the job front and on the international stage – but this does not mean that it should be a required course for students at Qatar University.

The job prospects of Americans would certainly be improved if they had knowledge of