UAE | Education
Sharpen your language skills
A number of institutes offer courses in English and other languages.
- By Mahmood SaberiSenior Reporter
- Published: 23:21 November 14, 2008
- Image Credit:
- The third-most popular language people would like to learn is not Russian, Hindi or Chinese but Spanish.
Dubai Learning a new language is always fun as it opens up a new window into life and makes you look at things with a different perspective.
Here in the UAE, you would expect Arabic to be the language most everyone would like to learn. That's true to a certain extent, but an equally large number of people are learning English, either to write effective business letters or to make a compelling presentation, do better at an university placement exam, or to just learn to communicate with this universal language.
Surprisingly, the third most popular language people would like to learn is not Hindi, Russian or Chinese, but Spanish.
"It's amazing the types of people who would like to learn English. They come from various backgrounds," says Moaz Khan, marketing manager of Eton Institute of Language. The institute is based at the Knowledge Village. He says there are mostly European expats, from Spain and France. Others are from Iran and from Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.
ITEC (International Technology Education Centre), also in the Knowledge Village, offers five levels of general English. But to get into a class, you will have to give a placement test which consists of multiple choice questions. The test will gauge which level of class you should be placed. "We also get students who wish to improve their English," says a representative. A recent survey showed that Emirati students studying in public schools are poor in English language skills.
The institute has been running for three years now and attracts Bolivians, Russians, Indians and Filipinos. It charges Dh2,200 for a 40-hour intensive course in conversation. And the classes are both in the morning, and in the evening for those who work during the day. The British Council has been in the country for a very long time, teaching English to thousands of students over the years. It is now located at the Dubai Academic City, Dubai Men's College campus.
With a huge number of people wanting to learn a new language, institutes have suddenly sprouted all over the place, offering language training by 'native speakers'.
"We encourage people to listen to the radio to improve their English," says Khan. "Since most of us are either in taxis or driving to work most of the time, listening to the radio will improve your vocabulary," he says. Eton also offers CDs which you can listen to while driving.
The other trick is to read a lot, magazines, newspapers, "whatever you can get your hands on."
Asked whether a child or an adult can pick up a new language easily, Khan said "Adults have a lot on their minds. A child's mind is fresh." But he adds, "It also depends on the individual and the motivation to learn."
Wha...?
The English language has evolved over the years and has incorporated various words from other languages. Here are some Hinglish (Hindi-English), Singlish and Chinglish (Chinese-Malay-English) words:
- Filmi: Melodramatic
- Jungli: Uncultured
- Badmash: Hooligan
- Chaddies: Underpants
- Slow-slow: Slow down
- Blarder: Brother
- Bodoh: Stupid
- Drinktea: Closed
- Un-dingable: Can't stand it
- Torunbusiness: Open
Some institutes offering English language courses:
- British Council temporarily located at Dubai English Speaking College at Academic City.
Adult courses: A 36-hour course costs Dh1,900 (Dh1,950 for an IELTS course).
Phone: 800 225522
- International Technology Education Centre (ITEC, Knowledge Village
04 3671076
www.itec.ae
- Eton
04 3602955/6
Email: info@eton.ac
- Emirates Institute of Technology Training
02 667 1118
Emaintraining @eit.ae
- Berlitz Language Centre, Jumeirah
04 344 0034
www.berlitiz.ae
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