Saudi KSGAAL Concludes Arabic Language Program in France

Saudi Arabia's King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) concluded its Arabic Language Month program in France on Friday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia's King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) concluded its Arabic Language Month program in France on Friday. (SPA)
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Saudi KSGAAL Concludes Arabic Language Program in France

Saudi Arabia's King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) concluded its Arabic Language Month program in France on Friday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia's King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) concluded its Arabic Language Month program in France on Friday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) concluded its Arabic Language Month program in France on Friday. The program began October 7 and was held in Paris, Lyon, and Tourcoing. It included a series of educational activities aimed at developing Arabic language curricula, enhancing teacher performance, and strengthening the presence of the Arabic language in educational institutions.

KSGAAL Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi said the academy is honored by the ongoing support it receives from Minister of Culture and KSGAAL Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, whose support boosts all of KSGAAL's programs and activities, aligning with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, which is part of the initiatives for realizing Saudi Vision 2030.

The program included a series of visits and meetings with several French educational institutions that offer academic programs in Arabic and associations and centers focused on teaching and promoting the Arabic language. Additionally, there was a visit to the Saudi embassy and the Saudi cultural attaché in France.

Several scientific activities were carried out in collaboration with the Arab World Institute. These included a discussion session addressing key topics such as the most important tests used in evaluating Arabic teachers for non-native speakers, integrating technology in teaching Arabic, and identifying the best available tools and applications.

Furthermore, a comprehensive scientific symposium was conducted on Saudi Arabia's efforts to teach Arabic to non-native speakers, and discussions took place on the reality of teaching Arabic and its curricula in France, including the opportunities and challenges of bilingualism.

The program featured two scientific papers. The first was titled "Hamza Test to Measure Arabic Language Proficiency," which discussed the criteria for creating the Hamza test, its application mechanisms, and plans for its development. The second paper was titled "The Works of the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Supporting the Arabic Language through Digital Platforms," which introduced the academy's platforms dedicated to serving the Arabic language.

Various training courses were offered for both teachers and learners. The teachers' courses aimed to bolster the skills of Arabic teachers for non-native speakers, focusing on active learning strategies in teaching Arabic as a second language. In contrast, the learners' courses were centered on developing listening skills for Arabic learners and non-native speakers. The program also facilitated collaboration between the KSGAAL and King Abdulaziz University, which sent two specialist professors in Arabic to present a training course in Lyon.



Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA

Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened their commitment to cultural collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Dr. Toshiko Abe.

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations and fostering cultural exchange.

According to a statement issued by the Saudi Culture Ministry on Friday, the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation, focusing on knowledge sharing and collaboration in diverse cultural fields.
To foster mutual understanding and appreciation, the two parties are committed to promoting cultural exchanges, including exchange of experts in various cultural fields and organizing programs, workshops, and seminars for intellectuals, cultural specialists, and artists from the two countries, said the statement.

Prince Bader emphasized the importance of this partnership. “This collaboration underscores the shared vision of Saudi Arabia and Japan to preserve, celebrate, and advance cultural understanding,” he said. “By joining forces in areas such as heritage preservation and artistic innovation, we not only honor our histories but also inspire future generations to embrace creativity and cultural exchange.”

The MoU builds upon the longstanding tradition of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan in the fields of arts, culture, and heritage. It reinforces the two countries’ commitment to fostering innovation while preserving their culture, paving the way for deeper engagement and collaboration.

During a meeting, Prince Bader and Abe discussed the need to strengthen cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and the Japanese side to train Saudi students in the art of "Manga" comics.