Bridging the language barrier

In Israel the language barrier that exists between Arabs and Jews is seen as one of the primary obstacles to coexistence.

Simply put, some Arabs who live in Israel don't speak Hebrew and many Jews don't understand Arabic.

Now, a new program has been launched in which Jewish schoolchildren are being instructed in Arabic.

This program is called Language as a Cultural Bridge and it's the brainchild of the Abraham Fund.

The number of the Israeli schools applying initiative has nearly doubled since last year.

Unlike the existing Arabic curriculum, this program places emphasis on spoken Arabic and promotes a better understanding of Arab culture by bringing it directly into Jewish classrooms.

Dadi Komem, Abraham Fund:

2:20- 2:43
"The main goal of this program is not just to teach Arabic as a language. A language is a bridge to a culture and culture is part of the language. What we're trying to do is make a real change in the positions and opinions of the children. We try to reduce fears and reduce stereotypes."

But where stereotypes run deep, this is no easy task.

Maor:

If a terrorist gets hold of me, I can talk to him in Arabic and maybe he'll release me.

Saida 'Subhi, Arabic Teacher:

3:20 Everything in the beginning is difficult. At the beginning they said, 'what do we need this for? It's not important?' but when I explained the language to them, they love it. They love the language a lot, because they love me (laughs).

Elad:

I might have Arab friends and I'll want to talk with them if they don't speak Hebrew.

Topaz:

If I want to talk with someone, let's say at work, it will help me with the working relations. -- Do you have Arab friends? -- I've had three Arab friends since first grade.

Elad:

It's quite an interesting language. They have interesting music. It's fun to learn.

The program's creators are working on expanding the program to more schools and reaching wider age groups.

They hope it will promote more tolerance towards Israel's Arab minority, which constitutes a fifth of the country's population.

Category:

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• language
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[yueyouko]

well, there are good and positive people still living in the world. it's either you'll be postive and be righteous no matter what or join the unnecessary war an unending misunderstandings.

[Nowie91]

I think it would be easy for Jewish childern to learn Arabic. Cause both Arabic and Hebrew are semtic languages and look a like.

[ACluelessKid]

@0LuckyInternetUser0

What does religion have to do with this? It doesn't even mention Islam.

[0LuckyInternetUser0]

stupid arabs jews where here over 2000 years, islam exists only since 731 or so!

[MrKartos1]

@Nowie91

we do learn arabic in school..

[Torbyrne]

This is a really positive initiative and I hope it becomes the norm. I love that the teacher said, "they love me" - that's a really beautiful thing to hear.

[lirongna]

@Akiva2212 actually if you see the history it belongs to the canaanites and then it was taken over by the israelites. then during the jewish diaspora under the roman empire, the jewish were forced to leave the land of israel and only then after was it occupied by the palestinian. and even during those times, the palestinian arab was not a nation state but was under the government of neighboring arab states. it only become a state after the neighboring arab states saw israel become a government.

[GuamKomudo]

If you want peace... Prepare for war... Some people you just can't change, you can't accept their views and they can't accept yours, you talk all you "Oh peace and love! Yay lets all be friends!" But you have never been face to face with someone that lives a life the opposite of yours and sits there and tells you "Your God is a lie" Or something of that sort. I would LOVE to be at peace with everyone, I wish we could all be friends, but it wont happen, and you can't understand it so shut up.

[evelioto]

Bullshit,they just want to kill more and more Palestines,damn Jews!

[Boethus]

Know your enemy...

[Akiva2212]

@mjay22 sorry who are the Arabs there i don't understand you?? do u mean the Palestinians the original owners of the land?? i speak Arabic but i'm not an Arab, my Australian friend can speak Arabic too i'm also sure she is not an Arab!!!