A New Approach to Assessing Dictation Skills – منحى جديد لتقييم مهارة الإملاء – Ahmed Aref

This session explores a transformative approach to assessing Arabic dictation skills beyond traditional memorisation-based testing. Led by Ahmed Aref, Head of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Brighton College Dubai, the presentation introduces innovative strategies that prioritise learning over mere performance. The session discusses how modern assessment methods can foster deeper linguistic understanding, improve students’ writing accuracy, and promote learner autonomy.

Drawing from classroom experiences and research-based practices, the session outlines differentiated techniques to diagnose and develop dictation skills in native and non-native speakers. Participants will explore formative assessment tools, real-world writing tasks, and integrated feedback systems that support continuous language development. The session also examines the alignment of dictation assessment with 21st-century competencies such as critical thinking and self-reflection.

Attendees will leave equipped with practical resources and a renewed perspective on how dictation can become a powerful tool for meaningful language learning and personalised instruction.

Speaker:

Ahmed Aref

Ahmed Aref is an experienced Arabic and Islamic Studies educator and department leader with over 20 years in international education across the UAE and Kuwait. He currently serves as Head of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Brighton College Dubai and is a Senior School Leadership Team member. He holds multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a Professional Master’s, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers. Ahmed is also an inspector with Tribal and a certified trainer, with a proven track record in curriculum development, inspection readiness, and educational leadership.