U.A.W.E : New to Islamic studies/Arabic (children 6/8 will be thrown in at the deep end)

[Wordsonascreen]

We're relocating a WEEK before they start school in September (eeek)

Has anyone got any recommendations for books/dvds that might give them a clue before they start (am obv aware they'll be WELL behind their peers on these subjects)

[mutters AS if I didn't have enough to worry about]

TIA (as ever)

[mumoverseas]

sorry, I'm obviously being a bit thick (was up early) but don't really understand what you want.
Assume you are moving to UAE and children will be going to school and need a crash course in arabic? If this is the case, might be able to help. I'm in KSA and did a (basic) course a few years ago and still have (small) course manual. If you are in the UK I'm returning there in 3 weeks and could post a copy to you if that would help.

Wouldn't bother with the CDs, I bought a few when I was learning arabic and they were rubbish. I gave up at the bit where I had to practice ordering wine in a restaurant (in a dry country) and asking where the cinema was (the next country!)

I've got the opposite worry. DD starts in F1 here in September but we are not planning on staying long term and hopefully she will return to UK prep school where they start french in nursery/reception. Here they don't start until year 4 as they are doing arabic before that.

Let me know if you would like a copy of my arabic notes

[basildonbond]

I'm not sure you need to worry that much tbh - dh's friends whose kids are in UAE schools are mostly scathing about the compulsory Arabic lessons - very few kids can speak Arabic to any useful degree even after several years. I think (although I'm ready to be corrected ) that Arabic teachers are appointed by the government and the international schools have very little say over quality of teaching and/or curriculum

Which school are they going to?

[mumoverseas]

that comment about arabic teachers would make sense. The one at the international school here was bloody useless and I think they'd been trying to get rid of her for years. She flatly refused to teach my DC for GCSE as not a native speaker and she was adamant he would fail. He therefore pretty much taught himself and got a C grade which we were more than pleased with and which turned out a lot better than most of the native speakers

[Wordsonascreen]

Not sure were the rogue W came in the UAE !

Thanks all

I sort of picked up a vibe from the international schools we visited about Islamic studies (much eyerolling from them )

Mumoverseas thanks for the offer its VERY kind but I've found a 1000 Arabic word book just to give them the basics, I fear a proper course would go the way of my very dusty Rosetta Stone German course!

Basildon (I'll have to whisper but its a dreaded GEMS school beginning with J..and yes I know everyone hates them but they seemed really nice and I know a couple of people whose children go there and they're fairly happy!)

[defensive!]

[mumoverseas]

ah, that explains my confusion ref the 'W'.

The course I did was by no means 'proper', just the basics, ie my name is, how are you and other greetings and everyday things. I couldn't cope with anything more than that. I mastered the written numbers ok but could never cope with writing 'squiggle' as my DC call it.
Glad you found suitable book and hope the move goes ok

[MABS]

could i have a copy mos?! x

[mumoverseas]

of course my dear x

[MABS]

cheers, ds and i are trying to teach ourselves a bit!