TEACHER CASE STUDIES

Listen & Learn: Can you start by telling us your name, which languages you teach, and why you decided to become a teacher in the first place, please?
Abdelhady: Certainly. My name is Abdelhady and I teach both Arabic and English as foreign languages. I chose this career because I am very passionate about teaching and changing students’ attitudes and mindsets to be lifelong learners. I believe that language teaching is the best career as it allows me to help others not only learn Arabic or English, but also to integrate into new cultures.

Listen & Learn: And what teaching qualifications and experience did you have before coming to teach at Listen & Learn?
Abdelhady: I have two BA degrees in Arts and Education, majoring in English language. Moreover, I have a professional diploma in quality of education, and I successfully completed my preliminary year for a master’s degree from the Tanta University English Language Department. I am currently enrolled in my Master’s degree in Education and Advanced Teaching at the University of the People. Further, I have a 150-hour TESOL certificate from Arizona State University in the US. I worked as an ESL teacher at Scientific Excellence Schools in Turaif, Saudi Arabia. Through my hard work and success, I was appointed as the head of the English Language Department at Gharbiya STEM School in Egypt, where I was also responsible for the professional development programs at this school. I have more than 17 years of teaching experience in teaching ESL in Egypt, including one year teaching Arabic as a foreign language in the United States. While teaching in the US, I applied and received a CLP grant from American Councils for International Education to implement an Arabic culture club at my US school. I was nominated as the Employee of the Month in April 2009 at Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton, South Carolina. Moreover, I participated in a training program to study and apply the national curriculum of the UK in 2007 at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

Listen & Learn: Wow, that is hugely impressive! What made you consider teaching with Listen & Learn?
Abdelhady: I have been working as an online Arabic teacher for Listen & Learn for a long time and it is a very interesting company. I was really impressed by the staff. They offer support to both students and teachers in the form of advice or resources. They are very professional and flexible people. Further, I like exchanging cultures and travel ideas with my non-Arab students, and Listen & Learn connect me with students from different countries all around the world. It has been a very rewarding experience to work for this prestigious company, and they have allowed me to make a great difference in the world by teaching Arabic as a foreign language.

Listen & Learn: I’m delighted you feel so supported by our staff. What about the students? Why should learners enroll in a language course with Listen & Learn?
Abdelhady: All the employees at Listen & Learn are helpful for both students and teachers. The company selects very professional teachers who are native speakers and can teach you a foreign language in a very effective way. Moreover, Listen & Learn arranges courses according to the schedules of both the students and teachers. So, a student can learn anywhere, anytime, and in a safe environment. I believe the company is the best choice for those who are interested in learning any foreign language.

Listen & Learn: Can you describe a standout experience with Listen & Learn?
Abdelhady: I have a lot of memorable teaching experiences with the company. One fond moment that repeats often comes every time I teach Arabic numbers. First, students learn to count and solve mathematical problems in Arabic. Then students develop the skills to buy things using Arab currencies, tell the time using feminine forms, and express different dates using masculine forms. Learning Arabic numbers and using them in different contexts is a great milestone for my students and I enjoy seeing them master these skills.

Listen & Learn: That must be a fascinating moment, but a lot of work to reach that point. What do you look for in a student? How do you know they will do well in your classes and achieve such great milestones?
Abdelhady: I simply crave students who are passionate to learn the Arabic language, Arabic culture, and about the Arab world. The rest stems from this passion.

Listen & Learn: What should students expect from you as their teacher?
Abdelhady: Students should expect to learn in a safe environment that enables them to communicate effectively in real-life situations. My students have very positive expectations from the very first class as I use very engaging and innovative techniques. I bring a smile to every class, so my students know they can and will have fun in my class. I use the communicative approach when teaching, which is the most relatable method, and I motivate students through various innovative activities, such as the use of authentic materials, language games, role play, Arabic culture integration, dialogue, and dramatization. My students should know that learning Arabic is not easy, but it is interesting and worth the hard work.

Listen & Learn: Last of all, can you tell us a fun fact about Arabic?
Abdelhady: A great way to learn the Arabic alphabet is through a song. I like to use Arabic songs, like Omm Kulthoom’s song “Anta Omry,” which means “you are my life,” and I encourage students to watch Arabic movies and listen to Arabic songs, especially the romantic ones, to learn common words, sounds, and expressions in a fun way. The most important thing is to have fun when learning Arabic.