I started some work experience yesterday through Texas A&M being a teaching assistant for an English as a Second language class. The class is 6 young men who have all applied to the Ministry of Interior here in Qatar and have been selected for scholarships, if accepted, to Texas A&M University and Carnegie Mellon University here in Doha. These schools are all part of
Qatar Foundation and are located in Education city. These guys range in their English abilities, yet they are all so positive and willing to learn. They have to take the ACT for the math portion, and the IELTS for English to send in with their applications to the Universities. The IELTS is a four part English exam that gives an ability score at the end, they have to get a 6 or above in order to be in consideration as an applicant.
Today we had them write about themselves, and then read it in the class so we could see how much English they know, their writing skills, and their speaking skills. After they were all done it was extremely heartwarming to hear their points of view on their new friends. For a bunch of young men they were open, and honest about friendships, family, and their love for their country. They all share the common goal of gaining higher education so that they can give back to their country.
When it got to my turn to introduce myself, and after they all found out that I grew up in Qatar they all asked me - "Miss. Catie - how come you said you don't speak Arabic if you have lived here for 16 years?" This is a question I ALWAYS get, and it is the one thing I regret the most. Learning a language when you are young is such an easy task, however, none of my schools offered it. I personally think that it should have been mandatory. We are guest in this country, and we should really learn how to speak the native language. When I got home I asked my Dad why we were never enrolled in English courses, his reply "you were too busy at the farm, horse riding, or taking piano lessons." I would have swapped the piano lessons for Arabic because I do not remember how to read music, and I haven't played a piano in years. The past is the past though, and I am going to make an effort to learn some Arabic (well try to) while I am here in Qatar.
Arabic Lesson for today - work on my greetings!
Personally "Hula Wala" is my favorite way to say hello in Arabic. It is fun to say...
| English Greetings | Arabic Greetings: |
| Hi! | Salam! سلام |
| Good morning! | Sabah el kheer صباح الخير |
| Good evening! | Masaa el kheer مساء الخير |
| Welcome! (to greet someone) | Marhaban مرحبا |
| How are you? | Kaifa haloka/ haloki ( female) كيف حالك؟ |
| I'm fine, thanks! | Ana bekhair, shokran! أنا بخير شكرا |
| And you? | Wa ant? / Wa anti? (female) و أنت؟ |
| Good/ So-So. | Jayed/ 'aadee جيد / عادي |
| Thank you (very much)! | Shokran (jazeelan) (شكرا (جزيلا |
| You're welcome! (for "thank you") | Al’afw ألعفو |
| Hey! Friend! | Ahlan sadiqi/ sadiqati! (female) أهلا صديقي /صديقتي! |
| I missed you so much! | Eshtaqto elaika/ elaiki (female) katheeran إشتقت إليك كثيرا |
| What's new? | Maljadeed? مالجديد؟ |
| Nothing much | Lashai jadeed لا شيء جديد |
| Good night! | Tosbeho/ tosbeheena (female) ‘ala khair/ تصبح/ تصبحين على خير |
| See you later! | Araka/ Araki (female) fi ma ba'd أراك في مابعد |
| Good bye! | Ma’a salama مع السلامة |
UPDATE:
The class has jumped up to a total of 14 guys. The original 6 from MOI, and now 8 older guys from QAPCO who have been working at the plant but need engineering degrees so they can gain a higher status. I am really enjoying getting to know them all, learning about why they want to get a degree in engineering, and about their families.
Ma'a salama!
My first "you know you are in Qatar" phrase came on the second day I was here. I was driving back from the farm with my Dad, I looked over and the child on his father's lap was driving the car (a story I know I have shared). There are so many "only in Qatar" or "you know you are in Qatar when..." statements that never get old. Things like the random animals in the back of cars, and pick ups, or the spelling of gas at a gas station that reads "GAZ," or the people who cruise around the malls in their cars, yet never go in them, or the fact that if you really wanted to you could get McDonald's delivered to your house can all be followed by "only in Qatar." How about only in Qatar most of your police cars are Land Cruisers - the nations car. It is funny because the other day my Dad told me that in 1990 when we first moved here you had to be a Sheik to own a Land Cruiser. Oh... how the times have changed. There are so many things that go along with the two above phrases.. from driving to spelling. A perfect example of spelling is not only the "Gaz Station" but there is a certain brand of frozen chicken that reads "Killed with a sharp knife un Islamic rites" - I am not kidding, it says that on the packaging. 
