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Tribune News Network
Doha
VOLUNTEER tutors attended a 'Training for Trainers' workshop hosted by Reach Out To Asia (Rota) as part of its Adult Arabic Literacy (RAAL) programme at Qatar Foundation's (QF) Recreation Center, recently.
Students from the Academic Bridge Program took part in the training course, designed to equip volunteer tutors with the necessary skills to effectively facilitate the RAAL initiative.
The workshop covered a range of topics, including Rota's literacy curriculum, practical information relating to teaching Arabic, issues facing low-income migrant workers, methods to effectively facilitate adult learning and community-based learning tools.
The RAAL initiative is a result of a survey carried out by Rota, which suggested that 55 percent of low-skilled workers did not possess Arabic literacy skills, while 45 percent of workers appeared to have a fair degree of spoken Arabic with no reading or writing skills.
A key feature of the programme is that it allows young people in Qatar to take part in an experiential service learning opportunity, developing their skills and knowledge as RAAL literacy 'trainers' and 'champions'.
Rasmeya Hassan al Jamali, Community Development Specialist at National Programs Department of Rota, said:"The 'Training for Trainers' course is an intensive programme that ensures our volunteers are qualified to facilitate the RAAL initiative. Our volunteer tutors have a sound understanding of migrant workers' circumstances and are equipped with the relevant skills to teach adults through our community-based Arabic literacy programme."
The Arabic literacy programme was established to address the learning needs of migrant workers in Qatar and to promote mutual respect between cultures.
The literacy classes will be taught over a six-week period from February to April and will require two to three hours of instruction per week. In April, Rota will host an event to showcase and celebrate the achievements of both trainers and learners.
