I joined Arab Academy online almost two years ago because I was frustrated with how slowly my traditional Arabic class was moving. At first I was skeptical about learning a language online, but Arab Academy had won me over by the end of my first online session, and my respect and appreciation for the program and the people behind it have continued to grow in the 22 months since that day. Although as a classroom teacher myself I find it difficult to admit this, I know that I have studied harder, felt more motivated, learned more, and found more personal satisfaction at Arab Academy that I ever could have done in a bricks-and-mortar classroom. And while I came to Arab Academy wanting to move quickly, I believe a learner who prefers a slower pace would be equally happy because of the adaptability of the program. There’s an unquantifiable magic to the whole experience, but being a language teacher I have spent some time trying to understand why Arab Academy is so successful. Here are some of the reasons I think it’s better than most traditional classrooms:

• Practicing listening, reading, speaking, and writing Arabic online is more rigorous than being in a classroom with other students. First, I have to do all the work myself; I can’t daydream while other students are answering the teacher’s questions. Second, I can't say "I don't know" -- I have to try. Third, students can't distract the teacher during instructional time with political questions or sidetracking grammar or vocabulary issues; online we have to study the lessons and do the exercises before we can move on. So all the time we spend on the lessons is directly and personally productive. Besides all that, the lessons remain the same until the staff improves them for some reason; students are never subjected to a teacher’s bad day or left to the mercy of a bad teacher.
• Doing the work online leads to better understanding and retention than doing traditional homework. First, it employs more senses more actively, plus the interactivity of computer lessons suits contemporary learners well because we are so accustomed to other computerized daily activities. Second, when I'm learning online, everything the teacher taught me in the lesson remains available for review. When I take notes in a traditional class, I make terrible mistakes, especially by leaving off dots in Arabic, so then I get something in my head completely wrong. Online, not only can I see each word correctly for as long as necessary, but I can click on it and hear it repeatedly, which reinforces the correct learning. Third, I get instant feedback -- khaTa'! or mumtaaz! -- so I know where my errors lie and can quickly see the correct response, again avoiding reinforcement of the wrong ideas. But I also have access to a summary of my answers that helps me see patterns and problem areas. In a traditional class with homework it's often several days before the teacher returns an assignment, and students glance at the grade and stuff it into their backpacks.
• There is less frustration and embarrassment implicit in online learning. If something is easy for me, I don't have to waste a lot of time while my colleagues catch on. But if something is hard, I can practice it as much as I need to without feeling I'm holding everyone else back. Also, if I don't understand something, I can ask a teacher for help without having to look stupid in front of the whole class. And the teacher never goes on before I’m ready, because I’m in control of the computer mouse. And if I am sick or busy, the class doesn’t go on without me because I AM the class; the school is open and the lessons are available 24/7, but if I’m not there, my class doesn’t meet.
• You might think that online learning would feel impersonal in a culture where many students are interpersonal learners. Paradoxically, that's not true. Although I am pretty secure about asking questions face to face, I am much more comfortable asking lots of questions and trying out ideas online because I know the teachers online can answer whenever they have time -- I'm not holding them after class when they need to get to an appointment with the dean. So ironically I seek and receive a lot more personal attention online than I would expect, ask for, or receive in person. And besides interaction with teachers, student friendships often develop and flourish on the message boards.
• Besides all these advantages, of special importance are writing tests in each unit, which provide a valuable test of the student’s ability to use the language productively. They are submitted online and corrected with comprehensive point-by-point attention far beyond what hurried university professors can usually provide. In addition, the extensive use of sound files and flash presentations at Arab Academy makes every lesson doubly effective.

All in all, I find the Arab Academy program to be exceptionally effective, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Debra Morris Smith
11.9.2005