A federal education grant will soon be used to introduce Arabic language and culture into Missoula high schools.
Missoula Community Public Schools Superintendent Alex Apostle says it’s an opportunity for students to gain exposure to a different culture and learn one of the most important languages in the world.
The five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education comes to Missoula schools with the help of University of Montana. The federal agency awarded the money to fewer than 30 school districts nationwide from a pool of more than 100 applicants.
The first set of Arabic classes are expected to begin in the fall of 2010. Students who complete the first course will be eligible to enroll in advanced level Arabic at the University of Montana.
