Arab Educational Information Network

This study aims to identify the early beginnings, existing reality, various aspects and the development of teaching Arabic to non-native speakers in Oman. The historical approach is applied to trace back the start. The descriptive analytical approach applied to monitor the reality. Two questionnaires were used for the purpose of data collection; one for teachers, the other for institutions. The sample consisted 23 teachers and 11 institutions. To observe the aspects of development, a comparison is conducted between the beginnings and the current situation. Results show that World Learning Centre is the first institution to launch a program in Oman in summer 2008, 2009, and 2010, conducted at Dhofar University. The results show that 82% of institutions are private associations, 73% of which have been recently found. The educational programs varied in terms of the types of criteria, levels, credit hours and the teaching materials. In addition about 44% of the instructors have a few years of experience in this field. By contrasting the beginnings and reality, we can observe a steady rapid development in the quantitative part; not in the qualitative part. Consequently, this study recommends providing special training programs for the workers. It also endorses that there should be an academic accredited regulatory authority to work as a supervisor. (Published Abstract)