On June 19, 2025, the Department of English and Translation (DET) of the Faculty of Humanities (FH) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) organized an interactive Arabic educational workshop titled “Cultivating Thinking Skills for a Cohesive Learner Identity.” The event brought together instructors and educators from institutions across Lebanon, in addition to university staff.
At the start of the event, Dr. Maya El Hajj, DET Chairperson, reiterated NDU’s beliefs and values, exemplified through such initiatives and events. “NDU has always believed in the power of thinking, maintaining that it serves as a gateway to true learning and awareness-building,” she stated. “The human brain naturally responds to a learning environment, which means that nourishing the learner with the appropriate thinking skills yields positive development and an ability to face challenges,” she added.
Dean of the FH Dr. Maria Bou Zeid welcomed attendees, restating the workshop’s purpose of amplifying the use and popularity of the Arabic language among today’s youth. She proceeded to remind everyone of NDU’s core mission of preserving a Lebanon that encourages the upcoming generation to remain in their country and invest in it. “Our cherished identity and culture should be put on display, and this initiative will hopefully be the first of many to aid us in doing so,” she added.
Dr. Salma Abdallah, Associate Professor at the DET, who facilitated the workshop, then introduced its objectives and overarching vision, emphasizing the educational value of theatrical works, particularly their role in enhancing learning and critical engagement. To illustrate this, she invited a group of NDU students from an Arabic course to perform a scene from a theatrical play, inspired by excerpts from Syrian short story writer Zakaria Tamer and enriched by philosophical reflections drawn from Nietzsche.
NDU students brilliantly demonstrated their talents, delivering a message about the urgent need for constant learning and thinking in the quest for personal development and advancement. The message resonated with the audience, which was mainly composed of educators and instructors committed to align their teaching strategies with evolving job markets and academic curricula.
Beyond its intellectual and cultural depth, the workshop offered educators practical training and an overall engaging experience. Through interactive segments, participants were introduced to innovative teaching strategies that integrate critical thinking into Arabic instruction. From reimagining literary texts to encouraging philosophical inquiry in the classroom, the training supplied educators with tools they could take back and adapt to their unique school environments.
To honor their active engagement, NDU awarded attendees personalized certificates, not just as tokens of attendance, but as markers of their dedication to reshaping how Arabic is taught. These certificates reflected the workshop’s dual mission: to inspire growth in teaching practice and to reaffirm the role of the Arabic language as a living, evolving vehicle for thought.
This initiative, which potentially opens the door for future similar ones, successfully challenged the frontiers of teaching. It served as an opportunity for educators to adopt more effective learning strategies in the classroom, driving the academic sector in Lebanon forward. By equipping participants with fresh, impactful strategies, it empowered them to reimagine their classrooms and reshape how students engage with language and thought.