Jerusalem tram seeks to fast track Arabic learning for Israeli Jews
For Arabic Language Week, Jerusalem Light Rail is distributing Arabic phrase books, conducting Arabic classes and displaying posters to introduce Hebrew speakers to the language with the goal of helping the city's residents communicate better.
Jerusalem Light Rail launched an initiative this week to promote Arabic language learning among Israelis in the city. It's the first such campaign in the tram system's seven years of operation.
Although around 20% of Israel’s population is Arab, Arabic comprehension among Israeli Jews is very low. A survey published July 4 by Israeli-Arab coexistence group Sikkuy found that a mere 8.6% of Israeli Jewish adults have a working knowledge of Arabic compared to more than 60% with the same competence in English.
