DUBAI // More than 600 teachers from across the Gems Education network gathered for workshops to improve their skills in Arabic learning and Islamic studies instruction.
It was the first time that Arabic-language teachers working for the world’s largest operator of kindergarten-to-grade-12 schools had participated in such an event.
The workshops were run in partnership with Teacher Learning and Leadership for All (Tellal) with the aim to raise standards as part of the UAE’s mandate to improve Arabic learning and Islamic studies.
“An inspiring teacher is the one who teaches others how to teach themselves, and brings out the best in his students and in others,” said guest of honour Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi, a member of the Ajman Royal family.
At the Khotwat Le Rehla Azeema (Steps towards a Journey of Excellence) workshop, hundreds of Arabic, social studies and Islamic studies teachers from 26 schools in the Gems network worked with eight Tellal Arabic coaches.
Tellal, the UAE’s first licensed teacher-training institute, provides support for Arabic, Islamic and social studies teachers through training that develops their skills and practice.
The training is provided in Arabic and includes the KHDA exam preparation, teacher development, train the trainer and leadership programmes.
“The ability to speak a language gives us a window into understanding the culture and values of the place and its people,” said Gems Education managing director Dino Varkey.
“This could potentially mean a generation of students in our schools who will act as a bridge to improve tolerance, understanding and be harbingers of peace in our world.”
Mr Varkey presented teachers from each school with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their commitment to children’s learning.
“Nowadays it is important to focus on self-development to keep up with new trends and updates around us so we’re well prepared for the future,” said Yasser Fayez Mohammad, lead Arabic coach at Gems Education.
“Our teachers are extremely valuable to us because they are responsible for tutoring, nurturing and creating the leaders of tomorrow.”
Deema Al Alami, the network’s senior manager for professional learning and development for Arabic and Islamic studies improvement at Gems Education, said Gems was constantly looking to improve the quality of teaching it provided.
“Tellal manages an Arabic network with over 300 members where we share resources, ideas and learning experiences related to teaching and learning of Arabic,” she said.
Sukwinder Bassi, senior vice president for schools at Gems Education said: “We are also grateful to the team members who have significantly contributed towards leading and developing our Arabic and Islamic studies network.”
The training was done in line with requirements set out by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and Abu Dhabi Education Council.
nhanif@thenational.ae
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
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