Lagos State Government emabrked on upgrading the pedagogical skill of teachers of Arabic Language under its employment.
The training was conducted by the Ministry of Education at the Multilingual International Resource Centre, Maryland, Lagos.
While delivering her keynote address, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja, told the teachers drawn from the six education districts, that investments in the centre as well as the determination to build capacity of teachers and administrations in public schools had started to yield desired results.
She said the training with the theme: “Teaching and learning of Arabic Language in Lagos State Schools; Status, challenges and Way forward” became necessary as language remains an important and an all-encompassing element in human life and key component in effective communications.
She revealed that studies have found that speaking two or more languages was a great asset to cognitive process.
Among the facilitators were Dr. Saheed Timehin, Head of Arabic Unit, Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University who delivered the first lecture titled “ Teaching and Learning of Arabic in Lagos Schools” while the Dean Student Affairs and former HOD. Arabic Department, Michael Otedola College of Education, Dr Morufudeen Adeniyi Shittu delivered the second lecture titled “Relevance of Arabic Language to the World Development:
Challenges of Nigeria Arabic Teachers”
