Early Arabic Education Strengthened in Abu Dhabi Schools

Abu Dhabi is placing Arabic at the center of early learning. From kindergarten through primary grades, schools are improving Arabic teaching with a mix of research-based practices, better resources, and teacher training. The goal is clear yet ambitious: to make sure every child, whether a native Arabic speaker or new to the language, builds strong, joyful, and lasting literacy foundations.

Schools are using structured methods for early Arabic literacy that follow best practices from around the world while respecting the unique aspects of Arabic. Teachers are combining explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics with high-frequency word recognition and guided reading, alongside plenty of exposure to real texts. In the classroom, this involves short, focused mini-lessons followed by small-group practice, listening and speaking activities, and purposeful writing related to students’ lives. Storytelling is a key element of the improved model. Daily read-alouds and shared reading sessions feature engaging stories from the Arab world alongside contemporary children’s books. Through call-and-response, drama, and role-play, students absorb rhythm, structure, and vocabulary. Teachers promote ‘talk before text’: children discuss ideas, make predictions, and retell stories in their own words. This approach strengthens comprehension and expressive writing.

Assessment has been redesigned to be useful, not scary. Short, regular checks, such as letter-sound fluency, decoding tasks, and oral language assessments, help teachers customize instruction. Instead of waiting for end-of-term exams, educators use weekly data to regroup students for focused support. Parents receive clear updates on their child’s progress and practical suggestions for home practice, like five-minute sound games or bedtime picture-book routines that reinforce what students learn in class.