The Big Picture

We went to orientation last night to take care of mundane matters like opening a bank account, finding out about car services, and turning over our visa and passport to begin the residency application (we're in the country on a visitor's visa).  Then this morning we had an overview of the "Big Picture" and where we fit into it.  There are 306 public schools in Abu Dhabi.  They have brought in about 940 teachers from 4 different continents to teach English, Math, and Science.

 The emirate of Abu Dhabi contains 70% of the population of the UAE and over half of the students in the UAE.  The plan is to help advance Abu Dhabi on its path to becoming bi-literate.  In the U.S. we talk about being bi-lingual, but the students are not really taught in 2 languages.  They typically speak one language at home and one at school.  The UAE's goal is to have the students study both Arabic and English, along with the other subject matters.  This is a HUGE undertaking!  We were reminded that the UAE has only been a country for 38 years when the emirates were united.  Can you imagine if we tried something this drastic in the U.S.? 

The comparison was made that it's the same as if the U.S. decided one year that all college courses would be taught in Chinese and then see how many American students could gain entry into college.  Essentially, that's what they're doing by deciding that all students must speak English to be able to go to University when they graduate, so they will implement this over a 10-year period.  We're in year 2.  They said they hoped we would be staying for all the subsequent years!!

The orientation is being held at the Fairmont which is right across the water from the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.  I enjoyed taking pictures of it today!  They also have a very nice pool....and beach!!!

Fairmont Pool

Heather and Lynn in front of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque