Jaafar S. Altaie

Arabic literature and language education professional with 30+ years of experience teaching Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as a Foreign Language to non-native adult students at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, as well as Arabic grammar, eloquence, and literature to native speakers. Experienced teaching Arab culture, business Arabic, and Arabic media as part of a well-rounded language curriculum, and comfortable managing coursework through online course management platforms. Skilled at curriculum design, instructional design for varied learner aptitudes and interests, and creating a dynamic, interactive classroom environment.

Currently working as an independent Arabic instructor (freelance), providing private and small-group Arabic instruction to university and high school students and adult learners seeking to build language proficiency for personal, academic, and professional purposes. B.A. in Arabic Literature, Baghdad University.

Independent Arabic Instructor (Freelance) - Private Practice - New Haven, CT area

(2012-09)

Provide private, one-on-one and small-group Arabic instruction to university, high school, and adult students at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, seeking to develop Arabic language proficiency.

• Incorporate business Arabic and professional vocabulary, Arab culture, and Arabic media (news articles and broadcast content) into lessons for adult learners with academic and professional goals.
• Adapt lesson content and pace to each adult learner's goals, interests, and skill level, using a range of communicative teaching strategies and an online course management platform to organize materials and assignments.
• Open to freelance/contract Arabic teaching engagements for non-native adult learners.

Arabic Teacher - New Haven Public Schools - CT

(2011-01 - 2012-04)

Arabic Teacher, Engineering and Science University Magnet School (Jan–Jun 2011). Arabic Program Instructor, Summer Immersion Program (Jul 2011). Arabic Teacher, Mauro Sheridan School (Sep 2011 – Apr 2012). Oriented Arabic instruction toward building learner proficiency, delivering meaningful, communicative lessons responsive to student needs; developed a rationale for teaching Arabic content, function, and accuracy in tandem.

• Participated in ongoing professional development: program responsibilities and curriculum review (Yale University); strategies and curricular materials (New Haven Board of Education); thematic vocabulary development and AAPPL proficiency testing (Yale University); Lingua Folio proficiency methods (New Haven Board of Education).

Arabic Teacher / Principal - Sanaa Muhaidly Private School - Istanbul, Turkey

(1995-01 - 2002-12)

Taught Arabic language and served as Principal; also served as Cultural Section Representative of the Libyan Consulate in Istanbul.

• Introduced modern technology into school administration and instruction.
• Developed innovative, condensed instructional concepts to speed student comprehension and absorption of material.

Linguistic Corrector & Writer - Iraqi Newspapers - Baghdad, Iraq

(1990-01 - 2000-12)

Served as linguistic corrector for Iraqi newspapers.

• Authored articles on the development of Arabic-language curricula.
• Supervised activities related to Arabic cultural and ethics programming.

Arabic Teacher / Principal / Principal Assistant - Ministry of Education - Baghdad, Iraq

(1975-01 - 1994-12)

Taught Arabic language and literature; later served as Principal Assistant and Principal, overseeing administrative and organizational operations at the high school level.

• Authored brochures on Arabic grammar and literature to support high school students' comprehension.
• Wrote practice materials modeled on public secondary examinations, with answers, to help students anticipate and understand expected questions.
• Implemented scheduling improvements and more sophisticated administrative systems within the school.

B.A. - Arabic Literature - Baghdad University (1975)

Graduate coursework - Business Management - AABFS