An Arabic language immersion preschool is an early childhood education program where the primary language of instruction is Arabic. In this setting, young children (ages 1 to 6) are immersed in Arabic from the beginning, with the goal of fostering fluency and comfort in the language.

No, your child does not need to be proficient in Arabic before entering an Arabic language immersion preschool. In fact, immersion programs are specifically designed to help children learn the language from scratch, even if they have no prior exposure to Arabic.

Research shows that children are generally capable of learning multiple languages at once, especially at a young age. While there might be a short period where the child seems to mix languages or develop language skills more slowly, this is normal. Most children catch up quickly and become bilingual. If the child is exposed to their first language outside of school (through conversations at home, in the community, or through media), they can maintain proficiency in both languages. Immersion programs are designed to enhance, not replace, the child’s existing language skills.

Starting in an Arabic language immersion preschool gives children the gift of becoming bilingual while providing cognitive, social, and cultural advantages that extend far beyond language.

1. Early Bilingualism/Multilingualism: Children who start learning Arabic at a young age have a higher chance of becoming fluent in both Arabic and their native language, which can provide lifelong advantages.

2. Enhanced Cognitive Development: Immersing children in a second language like Arabic stimulates brain development, particularly in areas related to memory, attention, and multi-tasking.

3. Improved Academic Performance: Learning in a second language improves cognitive skills that translate into better problem-solving abilities, creativity, and academic achievement.

4. Greater Flexibility in Learning Other Languages: Once a child learns a second language like Arabic, learning additional languages in the future often becomes easier.

5. Instills a Lifelong Love of Learning:Exposure to a new language and culture at a young age fosters curiosity and a positive attitude toward learning.

Natural Learning Process: Immersion programs rely on the natural process of language acquisition. Children are surrounded by Arabic throughout their daily routines, and this constant exposure helps them pick up the language, much like how they learned their first language. They’ll start understanding and using basic phrases, words, and sentences over time.

Language Support for Beginners: Many Arabic immersion preschools are equipped to support children who are new to the language. Teachers typically use visual aids, gestures, and repetition to make the learning process easier. Over time, children become more comfortable with the language through consistent exposure and practice.

Age-Appropriate Environment: Since immersion preschools are designed for young learners, the environment is generally supportive and understanding of children’s varying language skills. The focus is on creating a fun, engaging environment where children learn through play and interaction rather than formal language instruction.

Cultural and Social Benefits: Even if your child has little to no knowledge of Arabic, being in an Arabic immersion environment can still be very beneficial. They’ll gain cultural exposure and develop social skills in Arabic, which can give them a foundation for future language growth.

Here are some practical tips:

1. Stay Involved and Communicate with Teachers: Regularly communicate with your child's teachers to understand their progress, challenges, and milestones in both language acquisition and overall development.

2. Create a Positive Language Environment at Home: Even if you're not fluent in Arabic, encourage your child to use Arabic at home through simple phrases, games, or media like Arabic songs or cartoons.

3. Use Arabic at Home for Everyday Activities: Incorporate Arabic into everyday activities. Associating the language with everyday objects and situations helps make Arabic more practical and relevant to your child’s life.

4. Learn Alongside Your Child: If you’re not already fluent in Arabic, you can learn alongside your child. Learning alongside your child can create a bonding experience and show them that language learning is a lifelong skill.

Immersion programs are structured to ensure that children learn through interaction with teachers and peers in Arabic. Many parents of immersion students find that their children become their language "teachers," helping them pick up the language as well. Additionally, teachers often provide resources or strategies to help non-Arabic-speaking parents engage in their child’s language development.

The ratio of Arabic to English depends on the grade level. All our preschoolers (ages 1-3) will be 80%/20% Arabic to English. The majority of class instruction will be in Arabic, while circle time and English phonics will be taught in English. For our PreK and Kindergarteners, the ratio is 60%/40% Arabic to English..

In an Arabic language immersion preschool, the curriculum is typically designed to teach both foundational academic subjects and Arabic language skills, all while creating an immersive environment where children are exposed to Arabic in various contexts. The subjects taught in Arabic will be Arabic language arts (phonics, reading, writing, oral skills), math, science, and select enrichment programs. English will be used for English language arts (phonics, reading, writing, oral skills), Social Studies, and select enrichment programs.

No, Arabic Schoolhouse Academy is an Arabic language immersion preschool that offers enrichment classes including Quran and Islamic Studies while also embracing cultural arts like music, song, dance, and more. We strongly believe in exposing children to a wide range of the environment around them without limiting their worldview. At Arabic Schoolhouse, we celebrate and welcome everyone of all faiths. Parents may choose to opt out of any enrichment program as they see fit. (ie: Quran, or music)

At Arabic Schoolhouse Academy, we believe that small student-teacher ratio in early childhood education is crucial for several reasons, as it significantly enhances the quality of learning and the overall development of young children. We have a maximum of 1:8 student ratio in all of our classrooms at Arabic Schoolhouse Academy.

No. While both programs are housed in the same facility and share the same name - Arabic Schoolhouse Academy is a full-time preschool with a completely different program and curriculum. Arabic Schoolhouse is a weekend Arabic program for children aged 3-12 years old with its own exclusive curriculum.