ISTANBUL, January 10 (QNA) – In recent years, Turkiye has seen a significant increase in the number of educational institutions specializing in Arabic language education. This trend reflects the growing interest in learning Arabic among Turkish citizens, especially young people.
Experts and educators specializing in Arabic language teaching told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that this growing interest is rooted in religious, historical, cultural and economic factors. Arabic, as the language of the Koran, has a historically important place in Turkish society. Additionally, the influence of neighboring Arab countries and the career opportunities available in translation in industries such as trade, tourism, and manufacturing are driving this demand. Turkish academic, educational, cultural and media institutions are also increasing their interest in Arabic content.
Commenting on this trend, Dr. Muhamed Agilakka, Director of Istanbul Language Academy Center, said that interest in learning Arabic among young people is increasing due to religious, political, economic, tourism, media, historical and cultural reasons. told QNA. .
He said the academy attracts a large number of students from different cities in Turkey every year, who enroll in morning and evening classes at different proficiency levels to learn Arabic.
Mr. Agilacca stressed that the academy prioritizes hiring quality teachers who work to ensure that students acquire language proficiency. This includes developing correct pronunciation, deep comprehension, and fluency in key language skills.
Similarly, Nura Yamak, an Arabic teacher at the Istanbul Language Learning Academy, told QNA that Arabic is a popular language for many young people who want to read the Quran, understand prophetic hadith, and explore the teachings of Islam. He said it has become a popular choice.
She adds that some students are motivated by practical reasons, such as pursuing a career in translation for Arab tourists, traders and businesses, which has expanded significantly in Turkiye in recent years. He added that there is.
Dr. Ibrahim Helarça, Director of the International Arabic Educational Implementation and Research Center and Director of the “Alomar” Center at Istanbul 29 Mays University, confirmed to QNA that there is a strong interest in the Arabic language among Turks. He pointed out that one of the main reasons is the Quran’s status as a language, with many non-academic learners enrolling solely to understand the Quran in its original language.
Mr. Herarsa explained that the international Arabic language education center “AROMER” at Istanbul 29 Mays University offers a large number of courses throughout the year in fields such as journalism and literature, and that the demand for these programs is always high. .
It is worth noting that Arabic has long been taught at the Imam Hatip School in Turkiye, and the Arabic department is now the core of the Linguistics and Shari’a departments. In recent years, the Turkish government has increased its focus on Arabic language education, with more than one million students learning Arabic at Imam Hatip schools. Additionally, universities, both public and private, have introduced Arabic language programs.
Some schools in Turkey have officially added Arabic classes to their curriculum, with some offering classes two to five times a week.
In particular, the Department of Arabic at Gazi University in Ankara was established in 1985. Around the same time, Ankara University established the Tomer Language Institute, initially aimed at teaching Turkish to foreigners. Over the years, TOMER expanded to include other languages, including Arabic, and was renamed “Turkish and Foreign Language Education Research and Application Center.” Currently, we operate multiple branches in many cities in Türkiye. (QNA)
