The Learn Project

20 June 2023

Durata del progetto: 2022 - 2023

Arabic Language and Culture

The LEARN project is an intercultural initiative aimed at Italian primary school students, who are immersed in the new multicultural and multiethnic Italian society. The project is conceived, organized, and coordinated by Good World Citizen (GWC) and its director, Dr. Haifa Alsakkaf.

The project stems from the desire to guide students through the discovery of multiculturalism, promoting an intercultural approach that makes the school a welcoming and inclusive environment. This approach values the uniqueness of each student, taking into consideration their cultural and linguistic background, including their native language, and offers all students the opportunity to learn about and engage with different cultures, regardless of their origin.

The Arabic language teachers involved in the project are all native speakers with a broad teaching experience and are trained and supervised by professors from the FORLILPSI Department of the University of Florence. Specifically, the project involves Professors Rossella Certini and Emiliano Macinai, professors of General and Social Pedagogy, along with Dr. Christian Distefano, a doctoral student in Educational Sciences and Psychology.The project is promoted by the Regional School Office for Tuscany of the Ministry of Education.

The project is funded by Qatar Foundation International (QFI), an educational organization based in Washington, DC, committed to promoting Arabic language teaching and learning. QFI supports innovative, research-based programs and works to expand access to Arabic language learning for teachers and students worldwide.

The Arabic teachers

Meriem Afarfar

Since arriving in Italy from Morocco in 2008, Meriem has been active in the fields of intercultural mediation, translation, and Arabic language teaching at various levels. She has collabourated with numerous public and private institutions, particularly working with minors. She also has a solid background in professional training and civic education in multicultural contexts, with a particular focus on legal aspects.

Hafida Bouchida

Hafida graduated in Arabic Literature and Human Sciences in Casablanca, Morocco. She teaches Arabic language and culture both in Morocco and in Italy. She has also worked as a teacher and coordinator of adult education courses organized by the Nosotras Association of Florence and the Free University of Scandicci. She has also directed Arabic language schools in Scandicci and Impruneta.

Samia Guendouz

Originally from Algeria, Samia has worked for many years as an Arabic language teacher and a linguistic and cultural mediator for children and families of Arab origin. She was also the director of the Al-Shuruk Arabic language school from 2006 to 2008, and subsequently of the schools in Campi Bisenzio and Sesto Fiorentino.

Shirin Taha

Originally from Egypt, Shirin holds a law degree and has lived in Italy since the early 2000s. In addition to her interest in sports, especially water sports, she devotes part of her time to crafts, specializing in the delicate workmanship of Sirma, a unique gold-thread embroidery technique. She teaches Arabic both at primary and middle school.

Natali Zorkot

Born in Abidjan but of Lebanese origin, Natali worked as a French language teacher before moving to Italy, where she began teaching Arabic to children from families of Arab origin. He also taught at the Arabic language school in Sesto Fiorentino, the city where he lives.

Program

The project consists of weekly workshops held regularly throughout the school year, in accordance with the school's timetable and internal organization. The main target is primary school students, particularly fourth- and fifth-grade students. The initiative offers: