7 Days: Tried and Tested: Arabic lessons at the Eton Institute
17 Feb, 2010

Why did you decide to learn Arabic?
When I decided to live and work in Dubai I felt it was the perfect opportunity to learn Arabic. Whilst business is mostly conducted in English, to be able to communicate in Arabic, where appropriate, is not only respectful, but an excellent skill to have and in a social context it is particularly interesting and useful.

What were the other people on the course like?
It wasn’t a classroom situation as I opted to have a personal tutor.
I needed flexibility in the timing of lessons because of work and my teacher is superb and very patient.
 
What does the course entail?   
My initial course was a weekly lesson lasting two hours.
This was mainly focused on understanding the Arabic alphabet, basic reading and writing and getting to grips with verbs, nouns, adjectives, past and present tenses and the likes.

Did you have homework? If so was it easy to fit into your work/ social life?
I usually have work to complete in between lessons. However, I find that I am developing what I have learned so far at every opportunity, mainly with Arabic speaking friends and work colleagues.
I find I don’t actually hear a lot of what is going on when I’m watching television now because I can’t help trying to follow the subtitles - that is still beyond me at the moment!  

What did the homework entail?
Homework is written exercises and basic translation, interpreting Arabic speech from a coursework DVD and practice, practice, practice.

Have you spoken the language outside the classroom?
All the time. I can’t think of a better way to build up my confidence and also my Arabic vocabulary.

What has the response been like when you have tried to speak Arabic in public?
It is very positive and more often than not it is met with surprise.  
Trying to follow and understand a response is the difficult part.

Was it good value for money?
Definitely. I started from absolute scratch and from knowing nothing, I can now read and write in basic terms. I wouldn’t be able to do that without enrolling in the course.

Do you intend to continue your studies?
I really enjoy it and have started the second level, another ten lessons. There is a long, long way to go but I’m really enjoying the challenge.  

The Eton Institute, isn’t it a bit far out of town? Was travelling there a problem?
No different to any other venue in Dubai, it is located in Knowledge Village so that is perfect for me.

Learn the lingo
Visit the web site www.eton.ac if you want to take Arabic classes. Over 100 different language courses are available, from English through to Urdu so almost everyone in Dubai could benefit from a quick visit to the web site. Sign language classes are now also available, call 800 3866 for details on all the courses 

Click here to read the article

Middle East Educator Magazine: Dubai-based Institute Launches Emirate’s First Sign Language Course
22 Jan, 2010

Leading Dubai-based language institute Eton Institute will be introducing sign language courses as part of its CSR initiative to remove communication barriers between all members of society. This visual course will be based on the widely used American Sign Language (ASL) standard and part of the proceeds will be donated to charity. With nearly three out of every 1,000 children afflicted, hearing impairment or deafness is one of the most common birth defects. This challenge is overcome with sign language, whose users can express themselves entirely through gestures and signals. Using a simple, step-by-step approach, the institute’s “Introduction to Signing” course will teach the basic words, phrases, and expressions of American Sign Language to students, essentially everything they need to begin using sign language in practical, everyday situations.

The National : Back in the classroom

9 Jan, 2010

Click here to read the article.

7 Days: Say hello to your city

23 Nov, 2009

DUBAI - If you want to use your Eid break doing something productive, register for the Eton Institute’s free Arabic course.

In celebration of National Day and Eid Al Adha, the school is inviting those who want to learn the language of this land to pick up a few phrases for free.

All you need to do is register as a fan of the institute on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter and you will receive the course dates and registration procedures online.

Doctor Eli Abi Rached, managing director of Eton, says: “So many of us have lived here in the Emirates without learning the local language.

“This free course in Arabic is a great opportunity for all the vibrant and cosmopolitan people of Dubai to connect with the national language and culture of the UAE.”

The course will take place between November 30 and December 21. Visit www.eton.ac for further details on the institute

7 Days: Learn a new tongue

27 Sep, 2009

English may be the ‘business’ language of Dubai, but this city boasts many tongues from Tagalog to Urdu.

If you feel like learning some phrases in one of the most spoken languages across the UAE, then pop by the Eton Institute this October and take part in a complimentary beginner level course in Farsi.

Farsi or Persian, the official language of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan has more than 72 million speakers world-wide with at least 400,000 speakers in the UAE alone.

The Free Farsi course will begin on October 4 and will run three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm-6pm. Book quickly, as places are limited and offered on a first come first serve basis.

For more information or to register call 800-eton (8003866) or visit www.eton.ac

7 Days: Free speech

11 Aug, 2009

Eton Institute is offering a free Arabic course and Ramadan etiquette sessions during the holy month.

An entire beginner level in Arabic and essential etiquette during Ramadan will be taught free of charge to anyone interested in learning the language or the culture of the Islamic world.

Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, when Muslims around the world observe fast during the daylight hours and are called upon to use this month to reconsider their lives in light of Islamic guidance.

Eton Institute is also providing Iftar (breaking of fast at sunset) for anyone wishing to experience the spirit of Ramadan - where people come together and break their fast with Arabian delicacies.

The free Arabic course and the Ramadan etiquette sessions will start on the August 23 and will be conducted three times a week on a Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 6.15pm followed by the Iftar at sunset.

Book early as there are limited places available. For further details visit www.eton.ac or call 800 3866

Khaleej Times: Training Needed to Help Schools Teach Arabic
Afshan Ahmed

28 October 2009

DUBAI — An Arabic teacher training scheme is being proposed in a bid to fend off criticism from the school’s watchdog over the quality of Arabic-language teaching…
The Eton Institute trains teachers in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and are now trying to partner up with other institutes to address the growing demand for Arabic teachers…

Time Out: French fun
By Laura Chubb

26 October 2009

DUBAI - At last, here’s a French course that teaches the most important stuff, such as how to order in restaurants and understand wine lists. To celebrate National French Week (which starts on November 4), The Eton Institute has teamed up with Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse to offer a short series of classes covering food and beverage-related conversation, such as ordering food, French etiquette and shopping. At the same time, students will have the opportunity to sample wine from a different region of France each week, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse will be serving up canapés too. Not that we need to be bribed in our quest for knowledge, of course, but this might just be the perfect incentive for switching our brains to ‘engage’.

Time Out: 20 ways to make extra cash
By Becky Lucas

21 September 2009

Who doesn’t want a little more pocket money at the moment? Here are 20 easy ways to earn some extra money (legally!)…

Write A Blog and Sell Advertising

Pierre Abou Aad, IT manager and trainer at Eton Institute, has a few ideas for making extra dough from your PC. ‘Become a medium between jobseekers and employers and earn commission or a set fee for registration at bohire.com,’ he says. ‘Alternatively, write and proofread documents for associatedcontent.com. But blogging is the most popular way to make money online: set a blog up in minutes, then use it as an advertising podium. Try blogger.com.’

Time Out: Web design in Dubai
By Becky Lucas / Laura Chubb

21 September 2009

DUBAI - Traditionally, technology has scared me. A bit of a late bloomer when it comes to all things IT-related, my heart has always belonged to books, magazines and newspapers, the feel of paper between finger and thumb, rather than websites. Computer programming, with all its terrifying-looking codes and numbers, seemed like a secret language that I would never be able to get my head around, like Double Dutch, Mandarin or those funny noises Röyksopp make.

But then recently, something inside me switched. Now cyberspace no longer seems like a geeky ghetto – but rather a world of opportunity. Why? Because of four hours spent one Saturday afternoon at Eton Institute with a man called Pierre Abou Aad.

This may sound a little hyperbolic. But, during the institute’s new DIY web design and development courses, Pierre finds a way to make launching your own site on the internet seem not only easy, but also, dare I say it, quite fascinating. No, really.

‘First things first, you need to think up your domain or website name,’ he begins, suggesting using the site whois.net to see if that ‘mynewwebsite.com’ idea is already taken. I tap mine in to my PC (each desk has one): www.beckylucas.com. It’s still there! That crazy Becky Lucas in Alabama with the frightening MySpace page hasn’t got there first! (Not that I type my own name into Google often. Ahem). We’re only 15 minutes in and already this class is a little bit exciting.

Pierre then goes on to explain how you should go about creating the various aspects of your site, from the very basics of layout to fancy design ideas such as hiding tabs inside images. During the four-hour session (with a couple of breaks), my classmates fire endless questions at him, which he doesn’t tire of answering. We’re a very typical cross-section of Dubai, one English woman (me), one Filipino, a couple of Arab ladies, three Indians and a Russian.

Stereotypical, apart from the fact that – bar the one Russian man – we’re all women. Maybe men have already sussed out the web? Perhaps men don’t like being taught about technology by other men? Or maybe it was just a bit of a freak group. Who knows?

What we do all learn in the classroom is that web design is very much an ongoing process. We learn that even after you’ve finished putting together your masterpiece and it’s up and running (or, rather, cursors are running all over it), you need to keep an eye on the competition. If that American Becky Lucas should get her act together, I’d need to think up new ways to guarantee traffic continues to head towards my website.

‘Identify 50-100 key words and add them to your website html tags to make sure you get picked up and indexed by Google,’ Pierre warns in his calm, British-Lebanese lilt. ‘Otherwise your site will miss thousands of hits.’

He makes it all seem so easy, explaining things with simply a pen, whiteboard and a projector. And in case you forget everything the minute you leave the room, Pierre gives out a handy manual to refer to when you begin work on your own site at home or in the office.

Because, as part of the class, we are all given our own sites for a year. At the end of the session Pierre invites us to email him three potential domain names in the next week, which he will then set up for us. Not bad for Dhs490 per workshop.

‘We pay people so much to set up sites and they take so long!’ one businesswoman in an abaya exclaims as we file out. ‘It’s so empowering!’
Surprisingly, that’s how I felt too: empowered. I came out feeling like I’d learned more about the world’s most powerful information medium in four hours than I had in the past few years. The thought that, rather than passively read the web, now I might be able to get something out there, with my own hands – outside of corporate engines such as Facebook and MySpace – was hugely inspiring. Perhaps, in future, learning to use the internet will be the equivalent of learning to read and write. Quite a bold statement from someone who, until a month ago, used to have the fear.

The next workshop is October 10, 10am-2pm, Dhs490. Call 04 365 2772. See www.eton.ac for more info.

Khaleej Times: Calendar

28 August 2009

The Eton Institute, in partnership with Dubai Knowledge Village, is offering a free one day workshop on Ramadan etiquette and cultural awareness. This workshop will aim to answer your questions related to Ramadan and shatter commonly held myths. It will also give you an insight into Arabic culture as well as teaching a few useful phrases and sentences in Arabic.
Eton Institute: 800-3866 …

The National: Now you can learn Arabic in a ‘tweet’
Jen Gerson

August 25 2009

DUBAI - Want to learn Arabic but too busy to get to class? Problem solved. From next Tuesday, lessons can come to you, without interrupting your schedule, through the micro-blogging website Twitter.

The Eton Institute, a Dubai-based language school, is to offer daily, condensed Arabic lessons by qualified instructors in the form of “tweets”, which students can read on their computers or mobile phones.
The school has drawn up a six-month Twitter-based curriculum that will include common Arabic phrases and greetings, focusing on different themes, such as what to say in a supermarket or how to ask for a haircut or get around in a taxi. The free lessons will start with one tweet per day.

“We’re trying to reach people as much as possible,” said Eli Abi Rached, the school’s managing director. “We’re trying to make it accessible. There’s nothing easier than having a lesson pop up on a computer or a mobile.”
The lessons will be sent in phonetic English to allow students to pick up colloquialisms as quickly as possible.

The institute said it would forgo any particular dialect in favour of standard Arabic, which is more widely understood. “The idea is to teach functional Arabic that people can use on an everyday basis,” Mr Abi Rached said.

If the course is a success, the school may add more lessons and more complicated phrases and themes.
“We’re willing to go all the way, depending how much excitement there is. Whatever it takes to get people to learn,” he said.

The school is planning similar courses in other popular languages, such as Spanish and Farsi.

Mita Srinivasan works at a Dubai-based public relations agency and is an avid Twitter user. She said the short bursts of information would make learning Arabic easier.

“I don’t have time to devote a whole hour,” she said. “It’s nice to have a few words to learn while tweeting, which I enjoy.”
Like many Twitter users, she said she spends much of her day online. Twitter lessons would be easier for her than attending a class. “Most of us who have been here long enough know the basics – ‘hi,’ ‘how are you,’ ‘thank you’. You pick it up as you’re interacting with people. But it would be nice to have a few more words than that.”

Twitter was launched in 2006 and was unblocked by UAE authorities in August last year. It allows people to post updates, or “tweets”, of 140 characters or less.
The website shot to fame when it was embraced by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, the actor Ashton Kutcher and the basketball player Shaquille O’Neal.

A recent report by the social media analytical service Sysomos said more than 60 per cent of the site’s users lived in the US.

Although Twitter has proved popular in the West, the UAE has only about 5,000 users, according to research released last month by Spot On Public Relations.
However, that is enough to give the country the highest concentration of users in the Middle East. The Arab world has about 12,200 users, mostly professionals in the communications business, including journalism, public relations and marketing.

To follow Eton’s Arabic courses, you need a Twitter account, which can be obtained for free at www.twitter.com.

Khaleej Times: Twitter Makes Learning Arabic Easier
Afshan Ahmed

25 August 2009

DUBAI — ‘Assalamu alaikum’ will read your tweet update on Tuesday with the next Arabic phase introduced to you on Wednesday till you are capable of brewing up a conversation with your Arab colleagues in their local language at the next Iftar gathering. Just follow a language institute on the world’s fastest growing networking site, Twitter!
Breaking the boundaries of a classroom, the Eton Institute of Languages in Dubai is using the tool of social networking to teach Arabic to people on the move.
“Learning the Arabic language doesn’t have to be a chore. By offering short and easy to remember lessons on twitter we hope to make the learning process as simple as a ‘tweet’ which can be followed on a daily basis,” said Dr. Eli Abi Rached, managing director of 
Eton Institute.
The institute will update 140 characters of conversational Arabic phrases and words on its twitter page that can be viewed by those following them on the web site from Sunday to Thursday. “Followers will receive these lessons everyday. We will start with greetings and then have themes – phrases to use in situations like when in a restaurant or travelling. So if you want to order something or when at an iftar party you can immediately check your smart phone and you implement it. Twitter users are checking updates all the time and this will be a way to conveniently learn the language,” said Moaz Khan, marketing manager.
All lessons will be in Arabic-English transliteration and will include its English equivalent, so it is easy to understand and follow (e.g. Do you speak Arabic ? Hal tatakallam al-‘arabiya?). Followers will also be able to go back to previous lessons to revise or catch up if they 
miss any lessons.
The lessons that will begin from September 1 have created a buzz on the networking scene with more than 65 followers signing up not only from the UAE but also from the United Kingdom, Italy, Brazil and Australia in a single day.
“Ever since we announced the initiative we’ve got people join every 10 minutes,” he said.
The message has become viral and one follower of the institute said it would be amusing to receive 
Arabic updates.
“Getting an update of a word or phrase might be fun, though I do not know how much of the language I will learn in the process unless I try it out,” said Magnus Nystedt.
Khan said its easier to pick up a language that is transliterated if only for speaking purposes.
“People should not have trouble with the pronunciation since we are teaching modern standard Arabic that is transliteration with breakages in words that make it simple,” 
wadded Khan.
The institute can be followed on www.twitter.com/EtonInstitute to receive daily Arabic lessons from next month for free.

Time Out: Around town this week
By Laura Chubb

25 August 2009

We take a look at what's going on in and around Dubai this week…

Etiquette classes - Be Ramadan savvy

Ramadan isn’t just about not eating or drinking. It’s a meditative time for Muslims all over the world, who use this period to focus on their spirituality. It’s important that UAE expats respect the Holy Month, which is why the Eton Institute at Knowledge Village is offering a free, one-off, four-hour workshop teaching essential etiquette during Ramadan and a more general awareness of Islamic culture. ‘Ramadan is a sensitive time when one can unknowingly offend a colleague or friend without realising the sensitivities involved,’ says Dr Eli Rached, managing director of the Eton Institute. The workshop will help participants avoid such situations, as well as teaching a few useful Arabic phrases to make life a little easier in the UAE.

August 29, 10am-2pm, Knowledge Village. Book early as there are limited spaces available. Call 800 3866 or visit www.eton.ac …

Time Out: Online language help

24 August 2009

A Dubai-based languages institute announced on Monday it was to start offering Arabic lessons on Twitter, the social networking website.

Followers of Eton Institute on twitter will from September 1 be able to learn Arabic through short lessons offered on a daily basis on the popular internet service.

Dr Eli Abi Rached, managing director of Eton Institute said: "Learning the Arabic language doesn't have to be a chore. By offering short and easy to remember lessons on twitter we hope to make the learning process as simple as a ‘tweet' which can be followed on a daily basis."

The short lessons in Arabic will include basic words and sentences such as saying ‘hello' and ‘goodbye' to introducing oneself and asking for directions.

The daily lessons will further develop into real world situations such as on the job, hobbies, talking about school, daily routines, making travel arrangements, around town, etc.

All lessons will be in Arabic - English transliteration and will include its English equivalent so it is easy to understand and follow, Rached added.

"With latest gadgets and smart phones, followers can receive the lessons straight to their mobile phones or emails which can make the learning even more interesting and people can start applying what they have learnt immediately in practical situations," he said.

The lessons will be offered everyday from Sunday to Thursday starting from September 1. Registered users of twitter can follow Eton Institute on www.twitter.com/EtonInstitute to receive the daily Arabic lessons.

Khaleej Times: Know Ramadan, Know Local Culture
Afshan Ahmed

23 August 2009

DUBAI —It is against the law to eat and drink in public in the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan, but it has more to do with understanding and accepting the cultural norms of the country one resides in, than just deeming it as an offence, advise scholars…
The Eton Institute in Dubai Knowledge Village is offering free Ramadan Etiquette sessions from August 23.
“The sensitivities during this month are different in the UAE and a lot of people are sceptical about things because they are unsure of what is not allowed and acceptable. Every year, over 100 Muslims and non-Muslims attend these workshops,” said Moaz Khan, marketing manager of Eton…

Time Out: Holy month help
By Emily McCarrick

23 August 2009

Courtsey Moaz Khan from the Eton Institute. They will be holding a FREE Ramadan etiquette & cultural awareness workshop on Saturday August 29, 10am-2pm. 04 3658483 www.eton.ac.

1 Is it socially acceptable to go to the free iftars at the mosques? Or are they only for people on lower incomes?
Yes, it is socially acceptable to go to free iftars at mosques. In fact most Muslims invite their friends and their families for iftars as it is a month that brings communities together and not just Muslims. The iftars at mosques are for everyone, rich or poor, young or old – there is no barrier. They are generally organised by the mosque committee, although neighbours and surrounding residents also bring food and other delicacies such as dates and laban (yoghurt drink) which they also usually share with others.

2 If I exercise outside before work and it’s within Ramadan hours, is it ok to drink water, if no one can see me?
The general rule is no drinking, eating, or smoking in public regardless if you think no one sees you.

3 Am I allowed to have a barbecue on my own property?
What you do on your own property is your business, but consider your neighbors. General considerations apply, do not blind your next door neighbor (who may be fasting) with smoke and smells. Do not play loud music or make loud noise.

4 Are you allowed to wear a bikini on the beach? (For women, obviously, although Speedos would be the male equivalent)
Yes, you are allowed to wear bikini on the beach, but wear something conservative to and from the beach.

5 I can’t eat or smoke in public during daylight hours, but what about biting my nails?
Biting one’s nails is a bad habit and should be avoided in any month.

6 I, as an atheist, plan to fast during the day because I work with Muslims and want to respect their beliefs and not eat in front of them – so can I leave at 3pm too?
You need to observe the working hours established by your company. Please remember that regardless if you are fasting or not you should not eat, drink or smoke in front of fasting colleagues. Fasting is a holy experience that requires a lot of sacrifice and commitment. It should not be used as an excuse to leave work a few hours early.

7 Smoking shisha is encouraged during Ramadan, but scientific study shows that 20 minutes smoking shisha is the equivalent of chain smoking 20 cigarettes, and in fact could be worse due to the smoke passing though water making it heavier and causing more lung damage. So why is it still encouraged?
Smoking Shisha is not encouraged in any month. To the contrary, the UAE government has gone to lengthy measures to reduce smoking in general in the Emirates.

8 I think I read somewhere that if you work outdoors you can drink water, otherwise I reckon you wouldn't survive past lunch time?
Drinking anything is not allowed if you are fasting no matter where you are working. The Ramadan working hours are less than usual to allow people to slow down and not physically harm themselves through fasting.

9 Are quizzes allowed during Ramadan? Or is that classed as entertainment?
Anything that may distract the mind from its meditative state during fasting hours should be avoided. However, bar quizzes after 7pm are fine.

10 Do the hotels serve alcohol at their Iftars?
Many do not, but it seems that there are a few that do actually serve alcohol. Most that do wait until Sohour - the meal consumed early in the morning by Muslims before fasting - though. Check our Nightlife listings for information on some that do – as well as our iftar listings in Food (From September 3 onwards, each Iftar will list whether it serves alcohol)

The National: Downturn leads to surge in trainee teachers
Tahira Yaqoob

August 21 2009

DUBAI - Although the global recession has seen jobs evaporate while economies stumble, one upward trend has materialised: a surge in the number of people training to become teachers.

Schools in the UAE say more professionals are inquiring about how to transfer their skills into the classroom or earn a teaching degree. Many have found themselves out of work amid staff cuts at their former companies…

New Zealand-born Maria Pearson, who is in her 40s, lost her job as a retail training and development manager in March when her firm’s sales plummeted. She signed up for a class on teaching English at Eton Institute in Dubai’s Knowledge Village.
“It seemed a good idea to get some qualifications until the market picked up,” she said. “Training and development is an extension of teaching, and I thought the Eton course would help me pick up contract work. I was relieved when I was made redundant and saw it as a blessing in disguise.”

The course persuaded her to look into ways of introducing literacy lessons for company employees when she returns to her previous industry.
“The skills are something you can take with you wherever you go,” said Mrs Pearson, who has also started a long-distance degree in management. “Teaching is not as lucrative, but in a market like this, money is not a primary issue.”…
Meanwhile, many would-be teachers are trying to accelerate their alternative career by completing shorter courses in teaching English as a foreign language (Tefl) and Teachers of English to speakers of other languages (Tesol).

Eli Ghazel, who teaches a four-week Tesol and Tefl-accredited course at Dubai’s Eton Institute, said: “Since we started it seven months ago, we have had about 750 enquiries. We get an average of three or four calls a day from people interested in joining.
“We have students who have left industries such as oil and gas with high incomes – but with high income comes a lot of pressure, and the people who come to us want a more relaxing profession, which does not just involve business and networking.”

Twenty per cent of the Tesol course’s 75 graduates so far sought a career change, and about half had been laid off, he said.

“I have received about 25 calls recently expressing interest from people who have been made redundant. Teaching might have been in the back of their minds before. They are keen because it is more rewarding and gives a sense of accomplishment.”
A degree is not a prerequisite to training as an English language teacher at the Eton Institute. The only requirement is that applicants must have attended school up to the age of 18 and demonstrate a good grasp of English in an interview.

That has led to concerns at the Abu Dhabi Education Council that a flood of modestly qualified English teachers could do more harm than good. The agency said less than 10 per cent of English teachers they tested in the city’s state schools met the minimum standard of English proficiency, and has ordered all state school students to be taught maths and science in English by 2012.
But Mr Ghazel said all of the school’s graduates were stringently certified.

One of his graduates was Lee Donaldson, 33, a former recruitment consultant, who was stumped about what to do when she was made redundant in November 2008.

With a degree in engineering and a background in customer service in her native UK, teaching was not the obvious choice.

“I just sat down and thought through exactly what I enjoyed and what type of work would interest me,” she said. As she made lists, it occurred to her she had enjoyed the coaching and mentoring aspect of her previous jobs.
“Recruitment was something I tried but did not love,” she said. “I did love corporate training, though, and knew in my next job, I wanted to involve the mentoring part of it. I saw an ad for the Tesol course, then spoke to Eton and liked the sound of it – and I had nothing to lose.”

A week after she completed the course, Mrs Donaldson was offered a job at the Eton Institute teaching English to adults.
Salaries ranging from Dh12,000 (US$3,300) to Dh35,000 a month meant taking a pay cut but, she said: “It is not about the money. I saw it as a career opportunity.”

Emirates Business 24/7: Ramadan offer
By Aimee Greaves

August 21, 2009

Even though we all live in an Arabic country, a number of expats do not speak the language. But now, that could change as one Knowledge Village-based education provider is offering people the chance to learn Arabic for free.

The month-long course is already fully booked, so by popular demand Eton Institute will host a one-day course a week from next Friday.

Dr Eli Abi Rached, Managing Director of Eton Institute, hopes residents will take up their offer to find out more about the country in which they live.

"We are offering the free Arabic course and essential etiquettes to enable people to celebrate the true spirit of Ramadan and the Islamic culture," he says.

Although the thought of only having one day in which to learn basic Arabic sounds pretty daunting, those behind the initiative say it will be easy for all as it is akin to a taster session rather than an intensive day of speaking and testing.

Moaz Khan, Eton's Marketing Manager, says: "It's a complete beginner level of Arabic basic phrases and useful sentences, then if someone wants to go further they can."

Participants will not only learn basic phrases but also be educated in Ramadan etiquette, which can create problems during the holy month due to it being a time of reflection and as such some things that are permissable at other times of the year are frowned upon at this time.

"A lot of people, especially expats are not sure what is expected of them during Ramadan and therefore it can be easy to unknowingly offend someone for example, by drinking water or smoking in front of someone who is fasting," explains Khan, about the free lesson.

"We had such a huge response to the initial course so people obviously want to learn these things."

- To sign up to the one-day workshop, call 800 ETON (3866) or visit www.eton.ac.

Khaleej Times: In the city: A holy month of learning

18 August 2009

Learn the Arabic language and Ramadan etiquette with a free course
Dubai’s Eton Institute is offering a free Arabic course and Ramadan etiquette sessions during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The sessions will start on Sunday August 23 and will be conducted three times a week on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 6.15pm.
The educational establishment, based in Knowledge Village, is also providing Iftar (breaking of fast at sunset) for anyone to experience the spirit of Ramadan, where people come together in solidarity and break their fast with Arabian delicacies.
Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, when Muslims around the world observe fast during the daylight hours and are called upon to use this month to reconsider their lives in light of Islamic guidance.
“The Arabic word for fasting, ‘siyam’, literally means ‘to refrain’ – and it means not only to refrain from food and drink, but from all evil actions, thoughts and words,” said Dr. Eli Abi Rached from Eton Institute.
Interested people are encouraged to book early as there are limited places available, which are offered on a first-come first-served basis.
For further details visit www.eton.ac or call 800 – ETON (800 – 3866).

Khaleej Times: Free Arabic Course During Ramadan
Staff Reporter

18 August 2009

DUBAI — An Arabic course, which costs Dh1,350 for 30 hours, will be offered free at Eton Institute from August 23 to celebrate Ramadan.
The free course, which will be held in 15 to 20 minutes sessions in Ramadan etiquette and Islamic culture, is the second to be conducted by the institute.
The first was done last year with
100 participants.
Moaz Khan, marketing manager of Eton Institute, told Khaleej Times that the institute is offering a free language course monthly, but for this Ramadan, what is being offered free is the Arabic language, which is actually the most popular of the 31 languages taught in the institute.
He said interested individuals have to register by paying only Dh285 for the book, which is essential in the course good for two levels alongwith 10 DVDs.
The official said after the one hour Arabic class, the participants will be taught about what to do and not to do during Ramadan and about other cultural sensitivities in the Arab world for 15 to 20 minutes.
The free Arabic classes will be held three times a week, every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 6pm.
The Ramadan etiquette will immediately follow from 6pm to 6:20pm,
he added.
“Unlike in 2008, our class this Ramadan can only accommodate 30 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis.”
According to Khan, the institute will serve free Iftar during the Ramadan at its Iftar Corner, and anyone even non-Muslims may join in the breaking of the fast. “Anyone who is interested to experience the spirit of Ramadan, where people come together in solidarity and break their fast with Arabian delicacies, is welcome to join.”

Time Out: Around town this week
By Laura Chubb

17 August 2009

We take a look at what's going on in and around Dubai this week. It may be summer but there's plenty to do…

Web design workshop

Get technical

Back by popular demand, Eton Institute’s website design and development workshops are running again from August 22, teaching you how to create your own website using the simple tools available on a standard PC.

Every participant receives a free internet domain name when they start, so you can get to work building your own website right away. The course covers practical knowledge of design, development, hosting, promotion, content management and more, so by the end of it you’ll be well and truly web savvy.

The course has been particularly popular with self-employed business owners in the past, who have used it to help them gain access to a wider audience through the web.

Dhs490 for a four-hour workshop, Saturdays at 10am-2pm from August 22 at the Eton Institute, Knowledge Village, Block 3. For more info call 800 3866 or visit www.eton.ac. There’s also a wider series of professional skills workshops available.

Time Out: 10 to try: Arabic experiences
By Becky Lucas

17 August 2009

Dubai is not all brunches and five-stars. There’s plenty of local heritage to experience. Get involved!

1 Pick up the lingo: ‘Joining an Arabic language course is a sure-fire route to local assimilation. The Eton Institute’s beginner’s course has given me a complete grasp of the alphabet and light conversation. I now feel comfortable with how are you (‘kif halik’), good (bakhir), thank you (shoukran) and even basic chat. It might take a while to get going, but being surrounded by Arabic day-to-day and receiving such a warm reception after showing even the barest progression from ‘shoukran’ is enough to keep me coming back.’ Chris Lord

Eton Institute (04 360 2955) offers full beginner’s courses. Free Ramadan etiquette courses are also available during the Holy month.

Time Out: Fun and games
By Laura Chubb

11 August 2009

Fill in the next seven days with these fun activities...

Ramadan special

Take the time to learn more about UAE culture this Ramadan with free classes at the Eton Institute in Knowledge Village. The institute plans to run a course in learning the Arabic language, followed by cultural awareness sessions, throughout the course of the holy month. The final schedule is yet to be confirmed, but we hear the language course will run three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, followed by a 30-minute cultural awareness class. There will also be an iftar corner, a dedicated space for anyone breaking fast with Arabian delicacies. You’ll have to book quick, though, as spaces are limited and we’re guessing this will be popular.
For more information and to confirm course dates and times, visit www.eton.ac or call 800 3866 …

Khaleej Times: Don’t Mind Your Accent: Emirati Researcher
Afshan Ahmed

1 August 2009

DUBAI — “It’s a pleasant We‘D’-nesday afternoon,” said a child, describing the day to his teacher in the English pronunciation class. The teacher interrupted him stating, “It’s a pleasant Wen‘Z’-day afternoon.” But Wafa Zoghbor, an Emirati doctoral student at the University of Leicester in the UK, begs to differ.
Zoghbor, who recently picked up the pieces of a 2002 research on Global English and the teaching of pronunciation, says ‘Wednesday’ can be pronounced either way, as long as it’s intelligible. “We do not need to target native pronunciation while teaching or learning English. It is very difficult to acquire a native pronunciation,” she told Khaleej Times during a telephonic conversation from the UK.
Zoghbor, a graduate from the UAE University in Al Ain, is now wrapping up a study suggesting the need for a new approach to teaching English that will break down communication barriers and ensure the retention of national identity of non-native speakers…
Eli Ghazl, a teacher trainer for languages at the Eton Institute at Dubai Knowledge Village, agrees with the research to the extent that a person does not need to adopt any particular accent but there are a lot of aspects to teaching a language that cannot be ignored. “Pronunciation is very important to speak intelligibly. There are 44 sounds in English that are combined to produce words. If you cannot articulate those sounds you cannot speak intelligibly. However, a person who tries changing his/her accent cannot do so without ultimately sounding pretentious. There are different accents in the world and your geographic location could be one of the factors that affect the way you speak,” he said…

Gulf News: Eton Institute offers free Russian language course
Staff Report

July 29, 2009

Dubai: Free Russian lessons will be available in August at the Eton Institute. A beginner level in Russian is now available free of charge for anyone who is interested in enhancing their language skills.
So far the institute has already offered free courses in Arabic, German, French and Mandarin and Microsoft Office as part of its CSR initiative with hundreds of people learning a new language and enhancing their skills.
Dr Eli Abi Rached, managing director of Eton Institute commented: "The Russian language is rising in popularity as it is increasingly applied in business communication, politics and economics. The free course will enable participants to apply the knowledge of Russian in such fields and deliver on personal aspirations."
"The Russian language", Dr Rached said, "is particularly challenging to learn when compared to French or Spanish, and it is this facet that makes it interesting for language enthusiasts all over the world."
Russians are very gifted when it comes to languages; hence you wouldn't be expected to speak Russian while interacting with natives. However, knowledge of Russian will greatly help anyone who is travelling or doing business in Russia or ex-Soviet Union countries.
"Professionals who have taken Russian courses with us have found it to be extremely helpful while interacting with Russian speakers in conducting regular business activities." Dr Rached said.
The free Russian course will begin on Sunday and will run three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 6pm. Interested people are encouraged to book early as there are limited places available.

Khaleej Times: Rise in Demand for Arabic Courses
Afshan Ahmed

21 July 2009

DUBAI - Mahmoud Yocoub points to a chair and tells the students of his Arabic class “kursi” and then taps the table and says “tawla”.
“You need to understand the root of Arabic words and learn it through association,” began Mahmoud Yocoub, introducing the language to a mixed group of Arabs, Europeans and Asians trying to further their careers
in the UAE.
Enrolment in Arabic teaching institutes have gone up this year with students trying to improve their job prospects and understanding of the local culture.
“Arabic comes second only to English in popularity among our courses,” said Moaz Khan, marketing manager of Eton Institute of Languages in Dubai Knowledge Village. “This year we have a 20 per cent higher admission rate for our Arabic courses,” he said.
Yocoub, who is licensed to teach the Modern Standard Arabic at the institute, said it is not easy to grasp the language since very few people converse in Arabic and not every dialect is understandable. “It is the standard Arabic that has to be taught to students. It is increasingly becoming a job requirement. Also, when you visit official places, you need to be aware of the language to understand documents that are only in Arabic,” he said.
British expatriate, Lucy Bush, is a month old in Dubai and wants to learn Arabic to fit in. “I want to eventually work here and knowing Arabic will help. Additionally, my husband’s work involves a lot of interaction with Arabs as well,” she said.
Martin Ashkuri said despite living in the Middle East for five years he had to join a beginners course. “This is a personal endeavour and though it may not be important for a job environment in Dubai, Arabic broadens your potential and possibilities,” he said.
The Arabic Language Center in the Trade Center has seen an increase of 15 per cent in Arabic learners. “A lot of companies contact us to teach their employees Arabic in groups. Since all official governmental communication is in Arabic and the culture is rooted in the language, people feel the need to learn it to retain their employment and enhance their careers,” said Nadia Wehbe, director, Business Development of the center.
The Centre for Language and Culture (CLC) at the University of Wollongong in Dubai has witnessed a steady rise in enrolment figures. “Many candidates, who seek employment in the Gulf after completing their studies, find that their career prospects improve dramatically when they display knowledge of Arabic language and culture,” said Shanae’ Reed, head of CLC.
Nicholas Tuchel said the current unemployed situation is the right time to learn the language. “I will be getting married to a Lebanese and want to understand her culture through the language,” he said.
The course is popular among non-Arabic speaking population, but even Arabs need to polish their language skills, noticed the institutes. “We have courses for Arabic speakers to perfect their language. A lot of these people study in western countries and work in multinationals and though they can converse in Arabic, they may not be able to conduct a business efficiently. The terminology and phrases in this case differs,” said Wehbe. Khan added that many Arab children are raised in foreign countries and thus are better acquainted with English. “We have many students of Arab origin but need to take this course because they have never been exposed to the language and culture,” he said. One such student at Eton is Nadia Sarie who is a Moroccan and has just begun a super-intensive summer course in Arabic. “My parents forgot to teach me the language,” she joked. “I will be visiting my grandparents soon and do not want to shock them with a complete lack of proficiency,” she said.

7 Days: Summer camp for linguistics

Sunday 19 Jul, 2009

DUBAI - Any parents who have started noticing small bald patches on their heads can now stop pulling their hair out, because Eton Institute has two sets of summer courses organised to take the kids off your hands for the rest of the summer holidays.

Eton-Kids, a division of Eton Institute, is offering a range of engaging activities for kids and teens that combine fun activities with learning.
The summer courses, which take place in July and August, hope to promote holistic development in children by cultivating their language, arts and crafts, self-defence and computer skills.
Languages are the main focus at Eton Institute, and the summer courses allow children to choose from six languages (English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian and German), to learn in an engaging and entertaining environment. The benefits of children learning languages is well documented, with numerous studies indicating that multi-skilled and multi-lingual children tend to have better overall analytical, social, and academic skills.
In addition to learning a new language, kids can also develop their creative side through art and craft sessions or get fit with self-defence classes.
Teens can sharpen their computer skills by learning how to make a web site, create animations and assemble their own PC.
“Children learn best when they are having fun; by engaging children in an interactive and encouraging environment the programme aims at achieving just that,” says Doctor Eli Abi Rached, director at the Eton Institute. “It instills a love for languages, arts and crafts, fitness and computers by making learning enjoyable.”
The kids’ summer programme will cater to children from the ages of 4-16, with tailor made classes to suit the needs of different age groups. With convenient afternoon timings, small group sizes and daily classes, parents can be assured that their kids will be using their energy constructively.

Time Out: Dubai this week
By Laura Chubb

22 June 2009

What's going on in and around Dubai this week? We find out what's hot, and what's worth a shot…

Intensive at Eton

Do something productive over the sweaty season and sign up to the Eton Institute’s ‘super intensive summer courses’. The limited time means you’ll be cramming away like a mad thing as your tutors aim to have you speaking the local lingo within a matter of weeks. All instructors are native speakers and, according to Eton, are passionate about teaching not just the language but also the culture and tradition that goes with it. So you’ll be expanding your mind as well as your vocabulary.

Group classes are five days a week from Sunday to Thursday, comprising four hours a day. There are six levels, with each level taking 60 hours (so three weeks) to complete. You could just do one or two levels, or spend the whole summer doing all six so that, come October, you’ll be chatting fluently with all your new-found Arab pals. And feeling rather smug too, we’d wager.

Learners can choose from morning (9am-1pm), afternoon (1.30pm-5.30pm) or evening (6pm-10pm) lessons. Dhs2,250 for each level. Call 800 3866 for course dates or register online at www.eton.ac. Eton Institute, Dubai Knowledge Village, Block 3.

7 Days: Letter to the Editor: Free ‘Better U’ day made our day...
Letters to the Editor

Tuesday 2 Jun, 2009

My family and I attended the ‘Better U - Mind, Body & Soul’ organised by the Eton institute at the DKV on Saturday, May 30.
I must say that it was a truly remarkable experience and thanks and gratitude goes to Eton for giving the residents of Dubai such a splendid opportunity.
They had varied activities that catered to young and the old.
They also offered these activities free of charge. All those who assisted were, polite and very helpful. A BIG THANKS to all partners who gave up their valuable time to share such wonderful experiences with us.
As I looked around, I could see a sea of happy smiling faces and all seemed to be enjoying the day.
Thank you Eton and I wish you progress in all your endeavours.
Winston
Dubai
******************
A big “THANK YOU” for organising Better U - Mind, Body & Soul.
My daughters aged 19 years and 12 years participated in this event and are in praises for the excellent event organisation, enriching programs and fun filled workshops. Yes, they have returned with a better mind, body and soul !!!
Jamila
Dubai

7 Days - Parlez vous Francais?

Monday 1 Jun, 2009

DUBAI - If you’re looking to escape the Dubai heat and do a bit of overseas travelling this summer, learning a new language would come in quite handy. And the Eton Institute in Knowledge Village has the perfect way to help you do just that.

From tomorrow the language centre is offering free French lessons for the whole month of June.

The institute, offers a free course every month as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to provide skills and knowledge to the wider community.

The classes will run every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 6pm right up until June 30, which works out as an entire beginner level course.

So, while all your friends hibernate for a month to avoid the sun, you could spend the time productively by discovering a new vocabulary and be one of the few to do something productive with their summer.

Places are limited so anyone interested should book now by logging on to www.eton.ac or calling 800 3866

Time Out: Kids' stuff
By Karen Iley

26 May 2009

From collecting cans to eating on a dhow - check out our ideas for family fun this week…

Eton Institute family day

Ever thought about trying something new but don’t know where to start? Eton Institute has invited more than 20 leading companies to its ‘Better U – Mind, Body & Soul’ event – a fantastic day for families, adults and kids to have a bash at a host of fun, free activities all day such as dance, music, massage makeup, fitness tips from personal trainers, mini basketball for kids, arts, crafts and paint lessons, calligraphy and more. Take along your old books and toys to donate to charity (Feline friends, ACTED, Al Ihsan and Al Noor charity for children with special needs will be there) and there’ll also be a crèche where smaller kids can be looked after while older ones try out a new hobby or skill.

From 10am-5pm, Saturday, 30 May. Call on 800 eton or 800 3866 or log onto www.eton.ac for more information…

Time Out: Look who’s talking
By Karen Iley

3 May 2009

In this age of global nomads, Karen Iley discovers there has never been a better opportunity for expat kids to learn a second language

Thanks to more and more parents working abroad, kids are finding themselves in a new environment where a second language is essential for survival, or, at least, key to making life a whole lot easier…

Seven-year-old twins Nicole and Katlyn Ursprunger speak excellent German thanks to their Austrian dad, but English is definitely their first language. To keep the German levels up, mum Diane signed them up for lessons at the Eton Institute, which offers fun courses in six languages for kids aged four to seven years. ‘Dad’s at work or away travelling so they don’t get to speak German in the same way as they do English, but we want to instill this language in them because we visit Austria often, we have family there and we want the girls to be able to communicate with their grandparents and cousins,’ she says.

Seven-year-old Julie Hildebrandt, who also has a German-speaking father, appreciated being able to ask questions at her own pace, particularly those relating to grammar and writing skills. ‘Sometimes my dad talks quickly and I can’t understand what he’s saying, but I think these lessons help,’ she says…

For details of language courses for kids, contact the Eton Institute at Knowledge Village on 04 360 2955/6 or www.eton.ac...

7 Days: Who speaks two languages

Monday 30 Mar, 2009

DUBAI - You’re never too old to learn a new language and the benefits stretch far beyond being able to talk to strangers

You’re sat in a taxi trying to explain to the driver where you want to go but he doesn’t understand. You gesture and try to make the shape of the Park Hyatt with your hands and end up getting very frustrated because he can’t understand what you’re saying. It’s a situation many of us will have found ourselves in.

A lot of us will sit in the back of the cab slightly perturbed, annoyed that the driver hasn’t understood what we’ve been saying. But, if we spare a moment to think about it, those of us who speak English as our first language have probably had ample opportunity to learn at least a few words in another one, but haven’t bothered. It’s a fact that because English is so widely spoken, those who speak it as their mother tongue won’t bother learning a second language.

And that’s a real shame because the benefits of knowing another language can help you not only speak to new people and understand different cultures, but open the door to new job opportunities.

That’s why Dubai’s Eton Institute of Languages has just agreed to provide free language courses to all residents of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children. The institute says providing these women and children - who are victims of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking - with language skills is vitally important in helping them integrate in society.

Director Eli Adi-Rached says being able to speak another language helps individuals ‘broaden their world’. “When a person speaks a single language, especially a less international language than English for example, their chances of moving on in this world are very slim,” says Eli, who speaks four languages. “It’s definitely a mind exerciser but at the same time it opens up a whole world of literature and thoughts. For every language you learn you’re able to explore that language as far as literature and background and culture - it develops you as a person. “There is something special about learning a language, it’s the same as your first experience of reading a book - it opens up a whole new world.Once you learn Italian, Italian food tastes different! The food is still the same but you are different.”

Anusha Shah was born in India and speaks Tamil, English, Hindi, Malayalam and Telugu. She says she uses all five languages almost everyday. “Living in a country like the UAE I benefit by actually getting to regularly speak these languages with people whose mother tongue it is. They help me correct the mistakes I make in the grammar or pronunciation. “It also brings me happiness, especially when I speak to someone who doesn’t know English and I can speak to them in their language - it establishes a trust and friendliness,” she says.

Brit born Sara Al Najjar, lives in Dubai and is half Arabic but can’t speak a word of the language. “I feel really bad that I’ve lived here for almost seven years and not learnt a word of Arabic. “In the UK, we’re judgmental about people who’ve lived for years in Britain and don’t speak much English, but we don’t seem to apply those rules to ourselves, which is so hypercritical,” she says. “I once worked with a woman whose husband’s company would always pay for her to have language lessons whenever they posted them to a new country. However, they wouldn’t pay for Arabic lessons because they didn’t feel she needed them in Dubai.

“It’s such a shame more people don’t learn Arabic here. I’m afraid I have absolutely no excuses because I am half Arabic and I still don’t speak it.” Claire McDonald is a TEFL teacher. She says as well as the obvious benefits of learning a new language, it also improves concentration, memory capacity and self-confidence. “I’ve taught children and adults who, before learning, were too embarrassed to lift their heads in class. But when they know a few words it gives them confidence, it’s almost like they have a new personality,” she says. “It’s vital people learn languages, especially right now. Because of the credit crunch and people losing their jobs I really think those who speak more than one language have an advantage.

Employers get dozens of CVs from people all educated to university level so if there’s one person who speaks different languages, they’re bound to stand out from the rest.”

Gulf News: Eton Institute announces free Arabic course
XPRESS

February 16, 2009

Eton Institute announced its fifth free Arabic language course in celebration of its anniversary in March. Participants learn an entire level of spoken Arabic in a month-long intensive course.

In keeping with tradition of offering free courses on special occasions, Eton Institute is conducting free Arabic language course on the eve of its anniversary, participants can learn the basic level of Arabic which is the national language of the UAE.

Dr. Eli Abi Rached, Managing Director, Eton Institute said, “It's a special occasion for everyone who is a part of Eton Institute and in spirit of following on tradition we are offering free Arabic course once again as it's a popular choice with language learners.''

The last free Arabic course which was conducted during the month of December produced 30 Arabic speakers in Dubai. As part of the course participants developed their Arabic language skills, learn everyday phrases and sentences, greetings, ordering drinks or food, calling a taxi, etc; all in Modern Standard Arabic.

The fifth free Arabic course will begin on 1 March and will run three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Interested people are encouraged to book early as there are limited places available. Call toll free 800 Eton (3866) to book your place now.

For further details visit www.eton.ac or walk into the institute at Dubai Knowledge Village, Block 3 and talk to one of the advisors.

7 Days: Teenage kicks

Thursday 29 Jan, 2009

DUBAI - The 7DAYS letters page has recently been filled with comments from frustrated teens saying there is nothing for them to do in this city.

It’s true, the weather in this part of the world does prohibit a lot of outdoor activity for at least three months of the year, sports can be expensive, and transport to and from clubs, friend’s houses, events and malls is more than likely reliant on parents - how uncool!

But if you dig deep and look further than the usual mall outings and bowling alleys, there is in fact, plenty for teens to do in Dubai. All it takes is a little imagination.

Here are some suggestions to banish boredom…

HAL TATAKALAM ARABI?
In this multicultural city, being able to speak a new language would be really handy. If you’re an expat teenager, why not learn Arabic and impress your local friends. The Eton Institute of Languages down at Knowledge Village has dozens of courses from Farsi to Italian and they even do online courses so you could do it all from the comfort of your bedroom. Call 04 360 2955 or email info@eton.ac …

7 Days: Learn the lingo

Tuesday 23 Dec, 2008

DUBAI - The free Arabic course announced by Eton Institute this month has proved to be a huge success with over 30 people now learning to speak the UAE’s national language.

Almost one hundred expatriates from different cultures registered their interest in attending the free course, but due to limited availability of places, only 30 lucky callers, who booked in early, were able to take an entire beginner level of Arabic, free of cost.

“It is truly inspiring to see the overwhelming response we got for the free Arabic course and the interest it has generated in the Arabic language and the culture,” says Doctor Eli Abi Rached, managing director at Eton Institute.

Expats from various cultural backgrounds are currently taking part in the month long intensive course at Eton Institute, located at Dubai Knowledge Village.

As part of the course, the participants are learning everyday phrases and sentences, greetings, how to order drinks or food and call a taxi - all in modern standard Arabic.

Eton Institute regularly conducts free courses in Arabic and cultural sensitivity to promote the local language and culture.

For more information about the free Arabic course or any of the 31 language courses conducted at Eton Institute contact toll free 800 3866, or visit www.eton.ac.

7 Days: A chance to learn the lingo

Monday 24 Nov, 2008

DUBAI - In keeping with the tradition of offering gifts during the festive season, Eton Institute in Dubai will be conducting free Arabic language courses.

A similar free class was offered in September of this year and over 100 people signed up.

Those interested to learn Arabic should sign up early, as there are limited spaces in the course, which starts on November 30 at Eton Institute, Knowledge Village. Call 04 365 2771 for further details.

Eton Institute conducts courses in 31 languages, personal development and teacher training workshops, on a regular basis.

Khaleej Times: A spiritual journey

4 September 2008

Arabian hospitality and the Islamic spirit, a combination that makes for the truly enchanting cultural experience. This Ramadan celebrate the exotic Arabian culture with a series of delightful moments that City Times has put together…
Free Arabic course
Eton Institute Dubai is offering free Arabic course and Cultural Sensitivity workshops. Registration is now open courses running throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan Starting the September 07.
Free Arabic course: every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday from 4 to 5 during Ramadan.
Cultural Sensitivity Workshops: 6 pm to 9 pm on September 10 and September 24
• Venue: Knowledge Village
• Contact: 043652771 …

Gulf News: Learn, play, give during Ramadan
By Mubashera Asgher, Features Editor

August 27, 2008

With Ramadan here e+ brings you an extensive list of what you can do this month.
Arabic Course and Cultural Sensitivity Workshops
Eton Institute is offering a free course in Arabic as well as cultural sensitivity workshops during Ramadan. They are aimed at promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity in the UAE. They will educate the expat community about the Arab way of life, the Arabic language, history, culture, religion, and the law.
• Venue: Dubai Knowledge Village
• Cost: Free
• Contact: Moaz Khan, 04 3652771, moaz@eton.ac, www.eton.ac
Arabic Course
• Dates: From September 7 to 30, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (4-5pm)
• Cultural Sensitivity Workshops - Dates: September 10 and 24 (6pm and 9pm)…

Jen Gerson

August 21. 2008 12:57AM UAE / August 20. 2008 8:57PM GMT

DUBAI - Expatriates can learn everything from beginner’s Arabic to the proper etiquette at Iftar for free during Ramadan.

For the fourth year, the Eton Institute of Languages will offer free language and cultural sensitivity courses during the holy month, giving expatriates an opportunity to become better educated about the stricter standards of behaviour that are expected from them.

The workshops would help them better understand the culture and way of life of Arab people, said Moaz Khan, the spokesman for the institute.

“People will receive education on the religion, laws and regulations,” said Mr Khan. “They will learn what they can expect during Ramadan and what the community expects from them.”

Non-Muslims were expected to be mindful of local customs, he said.

For example, eating in front of fasters is forbidden before sundown, while smoking in public is banned and modest dress is required.
“We will explain about Iftar banquets, what is halal [permissible] and haram [prohibited] and what to do when there is a prayer being performed,” he said, adding that it was appropriate to sit quietly or ask how to join in.

Arabic courses at the institute cost Dh1,250 (US$340) at any other time.

Students will still have to pay about Dh200 for course materials.

“Obviously, it’s important to take cultural sensitivity training because the majority of people in Dubai are from expatriate communities, so it’s important to understand Muslim culture,” said Mr Khan.
“It can become easy to forget that the laws and regulations are strict.”

The free Arabic classes will be held three times a week during Ramadan, on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4pm and 5pm at the Eton Institute in Dubai Knowledge Village.

The cultural sensitivity workshops will be held twice during the month, on Sept 10 and Sept 24, between 6pm and 9pm. During the workshops, participants are free to ask questions concerning Arabic culture.

The courses were expected to fill quickly, Mr Khan said. To sign up, visit www.eton.ac or call 800 3866.

Khaleej Times: Australians, Russians take Urdu lessons
By Aakanksha Singh

1 August 2008

DUBAI - Language courses are gaining popularity among Dubai residents with increasing options available now.
The culture and history of the UAE ensure that English and Arabic are the most popular language courses available. Languages such as Urdu and Hindi are commonly spoken in the UAE but now, courses in these are also drawing a large number of students.
According to Moaz Khan, marketing manager at the Eton Insitute which recently introduced 31 new online language courses, said, "We already have people signing up for the online courses, especially corporates. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to send a delegation to India. It has signed up a group for three Hindi language courses."
Urdu course is also popular. "We have a lot of Australians, Russians and even Hungarians coming here to learn Urdu," said Khan.
Most of these students either have friends from the subcontinent or wish to travel to India and Pakistan. This provides them the incentive to learn a language different from their own. In many cases, learning Urdu or Hindi also aids them in the workplace, he said.
However, Urdu and Hindi courses are not particularly popular among Arab or local students. Khan said most of them choose English. "Several Arabs can speak Urdu and Hindi fairly well. This is probably due to the day-to-day interaction with expatriates from the subcontinent who have been in the UAE for a very long time," he said
Learning languages seems to be a growing trend in Dubai. Easily available courses certainly accelerate that trend. Online courses in Arabic, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Dutch, Polish, Turkish, Danish, Hebrew, Swahili, Welsh, Swedish, Hindi, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Irish, Farsi, Greek, Pashto, Tagalog, Thai and Latin are available on the Eton web site.
These courses are powered by the widely popular language learning software, Rosetta Stone.

Khaleej Times: Are you comfortable with Arabic?
By Suzan Saleem and Zoe Sinclair (Our staff reporters)

5 July 2008

Learning of Arabic language requires one to interact with the Arabic-speaking people and visit places where the language is widely spoken. Khaleej Times focuses on problems faced by learners of the language and provides practical tips to overcome them
Most of the expatriates living in the UAE are unable to speak or understand Arabic, which according to an expert, is because it's difficult for non-Arabs to come into contact with the local community.
Even expatriate children who grow up attending Arabic as a second language in schools fail to speak or write Arabic with fluency.
Dr Eli Abi Rached, who holds a Ph.D in Education and is also the Managing Director of the Eton Institute of Languages, says there are several reasons as to why expatriates fail to learn the native language of this country.
"Even if you come into contact with other Arabic speaking people, they usually speak other languages like English through which they communicate with," Rached says.
"The Eton Institute, which focuses on teaching the 'real' spoken language in the classroom, tries to overcome this difficulty by organising interactive fun activities like excursions to places like restaurants where the institute pre-arranges a waiter to only speak in Arabic when students order for their menus."
"Students who have learned sufficient Arabic also find it difficult to retain their Arabic. Raif Taha, an Arabic language teacher at the Eton Institute says, "Even as an Arabic language teacher, I end up speaking English in this country most of the time."
He advises his pupils to visit places like Sharjah, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah where Arabic is more widely spoken.
Dr Rached says one of the reasons why an expatriate cannot speak the language is the area he lives in. "There are sheltered communities, like the Marinas or Greens, where you don't come into contact with any Arabic speakers".
Zita Koevy, an Arabic language student at the Eton Institute and a Hungarian national living in Dubai for over a year recalls a time when she went to an Arabic restaurant, and in order to practise Arabic, she asked for the check in Arabic.
She says: "I was very excited to finally practise my Arabic so I asked the waiter for my bill but he didn't understand. So I repeated it several times till I finally found out that my waiter was an Indian who couldn't understand Arabic!"
"Generally speaking, the other reason is that English speakers do not make much effort of learning a second language," explains Dr Rached.
"Expatriates living in this country, especially in Dubai, might not find it necessary to learn Arabic since everybody can speak English and even the UAE nationals are fluent in the language.
"However, it is still beneficial for expatriates to learn Arabic since it opens up more opportunities relating to work for them. Expatriates also get to have a better understanding of the culture, customs, laws and decrees of the UAE through Arabic."
"This is what language centres like the Eton Institute are targeting. We say, yes we know you've always wanted to learn a language, it's about time to do something about."
The students who wish to learn Arabic do it for different reasons. Some like Fatima Behardien, Charlotte D'souza and Ece Okumus are students at the Eton Institute and have come from as far as South Africa, India and Turkey and are visitors in this country.
Fatima, from South Africa wanted to learn Arabic during her visit to Dubai because as a Muslim she wanted to understand the holy Quran. She says, "I could read the holy Quran but not understand what was written".
Eco Okumus, from Turkey is a translator by profession who wanted to get "a taste of what Arabic was like". She speaks English, German and Turkish fluently and plans on pursuing Arabic in the future.
Charlotte D'souza, a visitor from India, is studying Arabic for work-related purposes. Charlotte, who aspires to be an air hostess, says speaking Arabic would give her a competitive edge.
Beatrix Rakosi, a resident of the UAE, says she wanted to learn Arabic because as a physiotherapist who could communicate in Arabic she would be able to find more work opportunities in the region. Jean Yau an expatriate from Hong Kong wished to learn Arabic in her free time to better understand the culture and customs of this country.
Eton Institute also has a small percentage of UAE nationals learning advanced Arabic.
Dr Rached explains: "We have UAE nationals who have travelled abroad to study and who come back wishing to strengthen their Arabic."
He says the reasons why students don't speak Arabic in schools is because the teaching methods and curriculum are outdated.
"Ideally, the younger you are the quicker you can learn Arabic," says Dr Rached.
"But your social background plays a big role too. If you have stress in your life from your job or from relocating or changing schools, all these factors determine your ability to learn the language."
"There are many language centres and even universities across the UAE which offer Arabic. At Eton, you can enrol yourself or your kids in small group sessions which cost Dh1,250 or individual courses, which can cost Dh3,500.
The University of Wollongong also offers an intensive Arabic language programme in the summer for part-time as well as full time study.

Khaleej Times: Time to say hurray!
By Preeti Kannan and Suzan Saleem (Our staff reporters)

13 June 2008

The summer break spells a time for fun and travel, especially for teenagers and children who get a much-needed respite from their books and importantly the heat. While many usually leave the country on vacation, there are those who prefer to stay back and enjoy the summer activities.
In the months of June and July, the emirate usually has no dearth of activities, camps and not to mention summer surprises to ensure an action-packed, fun-filled time for the young and old.
Summer camps are synonymous with vacations and parents and youngsters have a variety of options to pick from theatre workshops, summer courses in journalism, film-making and creative writing, dancing classes, art of living courses and sports activities like basket ball competitions, besides others.
In theatre workshops, students can work in the fields of acting, music and choreography. They will be taught aspects of theatre stagecraft and discipline by experienced tutors who have theatre experience in major West End Productions, either in a leading role in a musical or play or have been involved in choreographing or directing a major show…
Media, theatre training
The Dubai Press Club (DPC) usually organises the Kids Press Club, where children from all ages and nationalities get training to become television, radio and print journalists in a four-week workshop. Children usually also visit publishing and media houses as part of the DPC's annual summer programmes.
Institutes are also offering language courses for students during the summer holidays.
For instance, Eton Institute is organising super-intensive Arabic and English Summer Courses and some classes have already started. The super-intensive language programmes cater to those interested in learning Arabic and English or upgrading their level to intermediate or advanced.
Dr Eli Abi Rached, managing director of Eton Institute, described the programme as "a unique opportunity" for anyone who is spending their summer in the UAE. "This gives them an opportunity to learn a foreign language or upgrade their current level under the guidance of teachers who are professionally trained native speakers and passionate about teaching not just the language but also their culture."
The courses are designed to make the whole learning experience fun and the interactive boards which were introduced for the first time in the Middle East by the institute transcends in to a creative and dynamic experience that supports personalised learning and development…
These different activities should hopefully keep the children engaged for the rest of the vacation and help them learn new skills and techniques in varied fields.

Khaleej Times: Go shopping while kids learn language
By a staff reporter

11 June 2008

DUBAI — The Eton Institute of Languages yesterday announced that it has started offering language courses at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUCTAC) in the Mall of the Emirates.
Visitors to the Mall will be able to choose from 17 languages which are on offer or upgrade their current level between shopping and business meetings.
Workshops involving the whole family will also be conducted along with 'Kids Special' programmes this summer. Parents can also drop their kids for a language class and continue shopping without having to worry about their whereabouts.
Dr Eli Abi Rached, managing director of the institute, said, "DUCTAC, situated at the Mall of the Emirates, has grown to be the cultural hub of Dubai. As languages and culture go hand in hand, we bring this unique opportunity for anyone to experience first-hand, languages from a cultural perspective."

7 Days: Arabian nights

Friday 4 Apr, 2008

DUBAI - Free Arabic lessons will begin next week, for expats who move to Dubai without knowing how to speak the language. Eton Institute of Languages will hold an introductory lesson every Monday evening for three months. For details call the Eton Institute of Languages in Knowledge Village on 04 360 2955 or email info@eton.ac.

7 Days: Language lessons

Wednesday 2 Apr, 2008

DUBAI - Free Arabic lessons are being offered to expats who move to the UAE without knowing how to speak the language. The Eton Institute of Languages will hold an introductory lesson every Monday for three months, starting on April 7. Doctor Eli Abi Rached, managing director of Eton Institute of Languages, said: “Knowing the language will create a great understanding of the culture… that surrounds it.”