Language Policy Survey

1. Language Policy Survey

2. Number of Languages to Require

3. Parents: How many languages should children be required to study at Qatar Academy?

4. Senior School Students: How many languages should a QA student study? 70.5% 29.5%

5. Primary Students: How many languages should students be required to study at Qatar Academy?

6. Discussion Points - # of Languages • Statistically, the parent split between 2 and 3 languages is too close to be significant. We must consider the 2 as essentially equal. • Senior students felt differently, with 70% preferring the English plus 1 option; Primary students were split on the question. • QA considered this question from a pedagogical perspective in 2007-8, before changing from 3 languages to 2 languages. The school felt then that 2 languages was the best pedagogical choice for the majority of our students. • It is not possible to schedule a different number of languages for different students, except in grades 11 and 12. In Pre-School 3 to grade 10, everyone must take the same number of languages. • With a sizeable number of parents interested in a third language, could QA meet their needs by developing a varied, vibrant and optional after-school language program? • Are there better means of meeting these needs? For example, an official Languages Coordinator with time to coordinate/ develop/supervise on-line language programs?

7. After School Participation?

8. Parents: If Qatar Academy offered an after-school activity to help your child practice his/her mother tong ...

9. Senior School Students: If Qatar Academy offered an after-school programme to help you better your mother-tongue (other than Arabic or English), would you participate? 42% 36% 17% 4.5% Points to consider: 1. 21.5% of student volunteering to come after school is a significant amount of students. Current learning support/Homework Club does not come near that. This would be the most well-attended academic support group QA has had.

10. Primary Students: If Qatar Academy offered an after-school activity to help you practice your mother tongue (other than Arabic or English) would you participate?

11. Discussion Points – After School • Parents feel 55% of students would participate. There is clearly a desire for this option. • Senior students indicate 21% would be likely to participate, and Primary students 45%. There is a divide between what parents feel and what students feel. • What should an after-school language program look like so that it will be attractive to students and parents, and effective in supporting language learning? • What should be the intended goal(s) of an after-school program? The survey asked about support, but other questions lead to the conclusion that parents want a more intensive learning experience. • Are there qualified teachers/parents available to offer a program with those goals?

12. After School Parents?

13. Parents: Would you be willing to lead an after-school activity to help students practice their mother tong ...

14. Discussion Points – Parent Leaders • There is a good handful of parents who would help with an after-school language program. • Is there a match between parents’ qualifications/interests and the sort of program QA desires? • On what basis would parents be brought in? Volunteers or paid? There are issues with each. Volunteers may not be as committed as employees, leading to instability. Paid employees would need to be approved by the BOG, and would need to meet Qatar’s employment requirements. • This has not been budgeted for 2010-11, so would have to be proposed for implementation in 2011-12.

15. Arabic Heritage

16. Parents: Should children of Arabic heritage be required to study Arabic A at Qatar Academy?

17. Senior School Students: Should children of Arabic heritage be required to study Arabic A at Qatar Academy? 50.8% 49.2%

18. Primary Students: Should students of Arabic heritage be required to study Arabic A at Qatar Academy?

19. Discussion Points – Arabic Heritage • There is a very large majority of parents in favor of Arabic A for Arabic heritage students. • There is also a very concerned minority, particularly those whose children have less background in Arabic, who are not in favor. • Senior students are fairly split on the question, and Primary students fall between parents and Senior students.. • The MOE’s decision on the place of Arabic is not yet clear. All schools might, or might not, be required to teach Arabic A to all Qatari and/or Arabic heritage students. • Can / should QA provide a clearer and more accessible option of Arabic B for Arabic heritage students who need it?

20. Arabic Program

21. Parents: What should be Qatar Academy's goal for students in the Arabic A (first language) program?

22. Parents: What level of Arabic do you feel is currently being achieved by the majority of students in the A ...

23. Parents: How do you feel about the amount of class time given to the study of the Arabic Language?

24. Senior School Students: How do you feel about the amount of class time given to Arabic? 38% 17.4% 30.8% 14%

25. Primary Students: How do you feel about the amount of class time given to the study of the Arabic language?

26. Senior School Students: Self-Assessed English and Arabic abilities 43% 8% 19.7% 17.5% 11.8% Points to consider: Students who did not speak Arabic as a mother tongue (or at all) answered the survey questions as well as Arabic speakers. Almost all classes are taught in English. 40% of students have a parent who speaks Arabic at home. Only 19.8% say that their Arabic is better than their English.

27. Primary School Students : Choose the statement that best describes your English and Arabic abilities.

28. Senior School Teachers: Breakdown of Students’ Arabic Levels

29. Discussion Points – Arabic Program • Parents perceive a wide disconnect between what QA’s Arabic A program should be achieving, and what the school is actually achieving. • What should be done to address this perceived disconnect? • A majority of parents would like to see a stronger Arabic program. What can QA do to further develop its Arabic program? • 52% of parents believe there is not enough Arabic time. 48% believe there is either too much or an appropriate amount. Statistically, the difference is not significant. Only 14% of students feel there is not enough Arabic time. Should additional time be provided for the Arabic program? At which grade levels? What subjects should have less time in order to accommodate this? • Is there a need for a Language B advanced option? At what grade levels and for which students? MOE requirements might have an impact.

30. Mother Tongues

31. Senior School Students: Student Mother Tongue Overall • Points to consider: • There are 45 mother tongues in Senior School, with the largest percentages being English (45%) and Arabic (42%). • Other languages of significance, with 7 or more mother tongue speakers: • Farsi (7) Malay (11) • German (14) Hindi (16) • Spanish (26) Urdu (38) • French (13, with many additional students responding that they spoke the language)

32. Qatar Academy Language Survey: What languages can you speak? Primary Students: What languages can you speak?

33. Primary Students: What languages can you read?

34. Primary Students: What languages can you write?