Jordanian Visitors Introduce New Arabic Proficiency Test

Representatives from the Tanal Al Arabi Project in Jordan, an initiative to create an International Arabic Language Proficiency Test for Arabic speakers and non-speakers, visited Birzeit University on January 30, 2017 and discussed the possibilities for cooperation in Arabic learning and teaching.

The meeting was attended by Vice President for Academic Affairs Henry Giacaman, head of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature Mousa Khoury, and the assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts Basma Omari.

General Secretary of Tanal, Abdel Raouf Zahdi Mustafa, and board member Yasser Zuhdi Mustafa introduced the project concept to university president Abdullatif Abuhijleh. Mustafa said that Tanal is a national project that seeks to empower and encourage speakers and non-speakers to learn how to speak, write, and read the Arabic language using concrete measures.  

He said that the program is a comprehensive Arabic educational project based on an integrated strategic vision along the lines of international curriculum in language and the Common European Framework of reference for TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, ICDL and other measures.

The project aims to reposition the Arabic language and its stature in all fields of knowledge. It consists of four different tests for various types of Arabic learners including non-speakers who are working or studying in an Arab country, foreign tourists, and non-speakers who will serve in a diplomatic position. 

The test determines the achievement level of materials studied in an educational curricula offered by educational institutions that provide opportunities for leaners to learn or develop their skills in the Arabic language.

Abuhijleh told the guests that the university has taken important steps to ensure that the standards of teaching Arabic are improved in Palestine. He indicated that Birzeit University is always seeking to empower Arabic teaching methods, alluding to the importance of encouraging fluency in Arabic language as the Arab world's mother tongue language.