Turkish theology students enhancing their Arabic language proficiency in Tunisia
In the heart of Tunisia, the Burgiba Language Institute is hosting a unique Arabic language training program for students from Turkey's Theology faculty. This immersive program offers a blend of academic rigour and real-world experiences, fostering strong language skills and cultural understanding.
The program, closely monitored by Emin Soysaç, Türkiye's education counselor in Tunisia, provides lessons in both classical and modern Arabic, with an additional focus on the Tunisian dialect. This approach allows students to converse fluently and understand the nuances of the language, essential for theological studies.
Key benefits of this program include practical language skills, cultural exchange, and academic and social support. Students attend classes from early morning and then engage directly with locals in Tunis, enhancing their speaking abilities and making the learning experience both structured and real-world applicable.
The cultural exchange aspect of the program is evident as Turkish theology students share the learning environment with peers from different countries, enriching intercultural understanding. This supportive atmosphere is complemented by Tunisia's safe and hospitable setting, allowing for confident exploration and personal growth.
The Turkish education counselor and ambassador in Tunisia provide ongoing support, including accommodation help, ensuring students focus on their studies and cultural adaptation. This support is particularly important for female students, who are also participating in the program and are provided with appropriate accommodations.
Student experiences highlight the program’s effectiveness. Sinem Nur Suca from Istanbul University emphasized the safety and the benefit of combining classical, modern, and dialect Arabic instruction with direct social interaction to boost language development. Doctoral student Muhammed Revaha Zor pointed out Tunisia's strategic importance as an accessible gateway for Arabic language and culture distinct from Eastern Arab countries.
Sıla Ataş, another student, emphasizes the undervalued importance of Arabic in theology education in Türkiye. Esra Mutlu, another participant, praises the civility and helpfulness of the Tunisian people and shares a positive experience with the Tunisian healthcare system.
In summary, this program enables theology students from Turkey to gain stronger Arabic language proficiency crucial for their field, immersed in a culturally rich and supportive environment that fosters both academic and personal growth. It exemplifies successful educational diplomacy and intercultural collaboration.
- The unique Arabic language program, hosted by the Burgiba Language Institute in Tunisia, attracts students from Turkey's Theology faculty, focusing not only on academic learning but also personal growth and cultural understanding, even extending to the health sector with positive experiences shared about the Tunisian healthcare system.
- The program, which includes lessons in classical, modern Arabic, and the Tunisian dialect, encourages students to engage with locals, ensuring they can converse fluently and gain practical language skills, essential for theological studies, as well as promoting personal development through cultural exchange and a safe and hospitable setting.
- The program's comprehensive approach to education and self-development emphasizes the undervalued importance of Arabic language proficiency in theology education, bridging cultural gaps and fostering intercultural understanding, demonstrating successful educational diplomacy and intercultural collaboration.
