The UAE has introduced the ZAI Platform, an innovative open-source learning hub designed to enhance Arabic education. The platform offers free tools and resources for Arabic teachers and non-native speakers to improve language skills effectively.
Empowering Educators and Students
The ZAI Platform primarily supports Arabic teachers by providing free access to training materials, vocabulary visuals, morphology aids, and more. It also helps non-native speakers with resources like vocabulary, phrases, and transliterations to improve communication in everyday situations such as greeting, ordering food, and shopping.
Dr. Hanada Taha Thomure of Zayed University emphasized the platform’s goal: “Our vision is to empower educators and inspire students to embrace the richness of the Arabic language, preserving its cultural and linguistic heritage.”
Tools for Personalised Learning
The platform includes cutting-edge tools to improve educational outcomes:
- SARD (Smart Arabic Reading Diagnostic Tool): Assesses students’ reading skills through tasks tailored to their grade level. Teachers receive detailed insights to provide personalised learning support.
- BAREC (Balanced Arabic Readability Corpus): Evaluates and categorizes teaching materials by readability level, aiding the creation of targeted educational resources like lesson plans and children’s books.
Collaborative Development
Developed by Zayed University, the ZAI Platform is supported by the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre in partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi.
Shamma Sohail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, stated: “The Arabic language is the heartbeat of our identity. Empowering educators and inspiring students to preserve this heritage is a shared responsibility.”
Continuous Innovation
The ZAI Platform remains a dynamic resource with regular updates, webinars, and conferences to further support educators. It stands as a testament to the UAE’s dedication to fostering Arabic literacy and cultural pride for future generations.
