College leaders don’t have exact numbers to support their claim, but they can see the trend -- more students than ever before are taking Arabic language classes.
At the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Arabic is a new class on campus. 25 students are learning not only the language, but the culture of Morocco. That’s because UOP’s Arabic instructor is from Morocco, where he taught English to high school students.
Mounir Bennouya said it’s important for students that their instructor comes from that part of the world. “It’s better for them to get a native person who can clarify things. No matter how bizarre the culture might seem from their perspective, once you explain the meaning of culture in context, they will understand it,” said Bennouya.
University officials aren’t surprised students show such interest in learning the language of the Middle East.
“Obviously with the political, economic and military interest in the Middle East, we need more Americans who speak Arabic,” said International Studies Administrator Dr. David Schmidt.
Bennouya’s employment at UOP will last just through this school year. UOP officials would like to see Arabic language classes become a regular offering at the Stockton school.
