The importance of Arabic in today’s world is uncontested among educators who understand that language is the gateway to understanding cultures and societies. Language proficiency and intercultural competence can lead to careers that are inaccessible to mono-linguals. Students who graduate with proficiency in Arabic, a language designated as “critical” by the federal government, will find careers in government, commerce, defense, foreign policy, conflict resolution, diplomacy, global health care, communication, education, and more.
According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Americans aged 5 and older who speak Arabic at home grew by 29% between 2010 and 2014 to 1.1 million, making it the seventh most commonly spoken non-English language in the U.S. Nearly 18% of U.S. Arabic speakers reside in the southern U.S., according to some estimates. In addition, the southern U.S. frequently benefits from expanded trade with the Middle East and North Africa. As relationships with the Arabic-speaking world and local Arabic-speaking communities continue to grow in importance in the southern United States, so will the demand for linguistic and cultural competence in Arabic.
To keep up with the growing demand, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities must provide high-quality and engaging Arabic language and culture programming. In order to do so, these institutions must train, hire, and support qualified instructors of Arabic. A 2017 report from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences reports that “one of the biggest obstacles to improved language learning is a national shortage of qualified teachers.”
The ATCS addresses these needs, supporting the instruction of Arabic by attracting, training, and supporting professional teachers of Arabic. Its mission is to strengthen the capacity of Arabic teachers in the region by bringing them together, providing resources and training, recruiting new teachers, and supporting the development of pedagogically sound Arabic programs.
The ATCS is funded by Qatar Foundation International and hosted by the Atlanta Global Studies Center (AGSC). It partners with the Georgia Arabic Teachers Association (GATA), Alif Institute, and the Georgia Department of Education (GA DOE) World Languages and Workforce Initiatives. The ATCS is an umbrella organization for K16 Arabic teachers and stakeholders interested in Arabic language and culture. Membership in the ATCS is open to any Arabic teacher in the Southern U.S. and includes educators from schools in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma (pending), and Arkansas (pending).
A website for members of the ATCS is under construction. To join, please contact the ATCS Community Liaison, Awad Awad.
