ABU DHABI (WAM)
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the opening of the nomination period for the fourth edition of its ‘Arabic Pals’ competition, which will be open until 28 October 2024.
The Centre’s Arabic Language Education and Research Department organises the competition annually for children and youth aged 8 to 16, including Arabic and non-Arabic speakers.
The competition aims to advance the status of the Arabic language and encourage children and youth to master it and use it in their everyday lives. It also aims to highlight the aesthetic aspects of the language, its civilisational role and key contributions, and its flexibility in expressing all aspects of life.
It also aims to encourage non-Arabic speakers to learn and speak Arabic while raising awareness among parents about the importance of ensuring that their children master the Arabic language, given its positive impact on their personal development and its ability to broaden their perspectives.
The ALC urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to participate in the competition by submitting creative videos that reflect their relationship with the Arabic language and offer inspiring examples.
To this end, Arabic speakers aged 8 - 16 and non-Arabic speakers aged 12 - 18 can submit a video of up to two minutes that showcases their experiences with the Arabic language. The aim is to stimulate their interest in the language and highlight its beauty and ability to express human experiences.
The competition has three categories: reciting verses of Arabic poetry in correct Arabic, open to Arabic and non-Arabic speakers; presenting an overview of the history of the UAE or the achievements of its Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; and sharing a personal experience related to learning Arabic for non-Arabic speakers.
The competition also encourages non-Arabic speaking students to learn the language and use it in their everyday lives by offering participants a chance to win a cash prize of up to AED10,000.
Submissions will be judged by a specialised committee based on specific criteria, including the number of views and shares that winning videos receive, and the winners will be announced at a later date.