The University of Nizwa: A Bridge to Discovering the Arabic Language and Omani Culture
written by: Maram Al_sarkhi
The University of Nizwa offers international students an opportunity to learn Arabic while discovering the culture, traditions and heritage of Oman. Through the Al-Dhad Institute for Teaching Arabic to Speakers of Other Languages, students can develop their language skills in an environment that connects classroom learning with everyday communication and cultural experiences.
By bringing together language instruction, student partnerships and cultural activities, the university encourages meaningful interaction among students from different backgrounds. This approach allows international learners to practise Arabic in real-life situations while giving Omani students opportunities to share their heritage and learn about other cultures.
Al-Dhad Institute: Teaching Arabic Beyond the Classroom
According to Eng. Salim bin Ali Saeed Al Hinai, Director of Al-Dhad Institute, the institute was established in 2014 to teach Arabic to non-native speakers and welcome learners from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
The institute has developed its own Arabic-language teaching materials, known as the Al-Dhad Series, which comprises nine books. It also supports Arabic-language learning through international engagement and student exchange opportunities.
According to the director, students from countries including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, Türkiye, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and France have studied at the institute. Its location at the University of Nizwa provides learners with opportunities to apply what they learn in class through everyday interactions and engagement with the surrounding community.
Alongside its teaching programmes, the institute encourages cultural activities and language partnerships that help students understand how Arabic is used in different social settings. These experiences connect language learning with Omani customs, hospitality and local traditions.
International Students: Discovering Arabic Through Everyday Life
For many international students, learning Arabic in Oman is not simply an academic pursuit; it is also a way to understand the people and culture behind the language. Conversations with local residents, visits to traditional markets and encounters with Omani customs allow students to practise Arabic while becoming more familiar with the society in which they are studying.
Turkay Agammadli, an international student from Azerbaijan who lives in Moscow, described learning Arabic as both challenging and rewarding. Interested in languages and the history and culture associated with them, he wanted to study Arabic in a place where it is spoken in everyday life. Visits to local markets helped him learn practical vocabulary, including words for spices and dates, while experiences involving Omani coffee, hospitality, frankincense, historic forts and village traditions deepened his understanding of local culture. He also highlighted the importance of his Omani language partner, whose explanations of colloquial expressions and cultural context helped him communicate more confidently and understand how language changes across social situations.
Amerkhanov Khamza Salmanovich, an international student from Russia, had long wanted to learn Arabic and viewed Oman as a suitable place to pursue this ambition. He particularly appreciated the country’s Islamic heritage, preserved traditions and historic character. A visit to Nizwa Souq left a strong impression on him, making him feel as though he had stepped back in time. He also spoke positively about the kindness and hospitality he experienced at the university. His two language partners played an important role in his learning, helping him understand unfamiliar material and patiently explaining difficult points until he was able to follow them.
Qasif Muhammad, an international student from Germany, traced his interest in Arabic to a childhood friendship with an Arab peer, which introduced him to the language and its culture. Studying in Oman has helped him recognise that Arab societies share connections while retaining their own cultural characteristics. He emphasised the value of living in an Arabic-speaking environment, where everyday conversations with local residents provide practical opportunities to use the language, improve communication and apply classroom learning in real situations.
Another international student, who preferred not to be identified, explained that an earlier visit to Oman influenced her decision to return to learn Arabic. She valued the country’s preservation of its traditions and culture and found that interacting with native speakers and participating in cultural activities helped her practise the language beyond the classroom. Experiences related to Omani food, traditional clothing, hospitality and social customs also broadened her understanding of the cultural diversity found across Arab societies.
Together, these experiences demonstrate how learning Arabic in Oman extends beyond textbooks and formal lessons. Daily communication and cultural engagement help students develop their language skills while gaining a more personal understanding of Omani life and the wider diversity of Arab cultures.
Language Partnerships: A Two-Way Cultural Exchange
Language partnerships form an important link between classroom learning and everyday communication. By working with Omani students, international learners have opportunities to practise Arabic, understand local expressions and ask questions about cultural customs. At the same time, Omani students can share their heritage, strengthen their communication skills and gain insight into different perspectives.
Al-Ghalia Al-Shuaili described her participation as an opportunity to develop her Arabic-language and communication skills while introducing international students to Omani vocabulary, customs and social values. Through these interactions, she also learned about other cultures and gained a greater appreciation of mutual respect and intercultural dialogue. She viewed language partnerships as a way to bring students from different backgrounds together and encourage cooperation and understanding.
Reem Al-Mundhiri, a translation student and language partner, described the experience as enriching and enjoyable. She highlighted the value of interactive activities that introduce international students to Omani traditions beyond the classroom. These exchanges broadened her cultural awareness and allowed her to share knowledge and experiences with students from around the world, while helping them become more familiar with local customs.
Reem Al-Alawi, a nursing student and language partner, emphasised the importance of practical experiences, particularly activities showcasing Omani hospitality. She explained that helping international students discover local traditions strengthened her communication skills and deepened her appreciation of her own heritage. She also highlighted how these shared experiences can encourage openness and acceptance, helping students form connections and feel more involved in the university community.
The experiences of the three Omani students illustrate the mutual benefits of language partnerships. International students gain opportunities to practise Arabic and understand Omani culture through direct interaction, while their Omani partners develop communication skills, share their traditions and learn from people with different cultural experiences. In this way, language becomes a means of building relationships as well as developing linguistic ability.
Al-Dhad Student Club: Enriching Student Life
Alongside its teaching and language-partnership activities, Al-Dhad Institute benefits from the contribution of the Al-Dhad Student Club. The institute’s director praised the club for supporting learners and helping organise activities and events.
Established in coordination with relevant university bodies, including the Centre of Excellence, the university administration and Student Affairs, the club contributes to student engagement and complements the institute’s educational and cultural programmes. Its activities provide further opportunities for students to participate in university life and interact with others beyond their formal lessons.
Future Aspirations: Expanding Access to Arabic Learning
Looking ahead, Al Hinai explained that Al-Dhad Institute aims to attract more students from different countries and further develop its Arabic-language programmes. He also highlighted the potential of online learning to reach learners who are unable to travel to Oman.
The institute has begun offering some courses online and hopes to expand these opportunities. Its broader ambitions include strengthening research and professional development and working towards becoming a comprehensive centre for teaching Arabic in Oman and the wider region.
These aspirations reflect the institute’s aim to make Arabic-language learning accessible to a wider audience while continuing to connect language instruction with cultural understanding and practical communication.
The University of Nizwa: Connecting Language, Culture and Community
The experiences of the institute’s director, international students and Omani language partners illustrate how learning a language can open the door to a deeper understanding of another culture. For international students, studying Arabic in Oman offers opportunities to practise the language in everyday settings, explore local traditions and build relationships with members of the community. For Omani students, language partnerships provide a meaningful way to share their heritage while learning from people with different experiences and perspectives.
Through Al-Dhad Institute, language partnerships and student activities, the University of Nizwa brings language education and cultural exchange together. By connecting classroom learning with everyday communication and shared cultural experiences, the university helps students develop their language skills while fostering cooperation and mutual understanding across cultures.
In this way, the University of Nizwa serves as a bridge between the Arabic language and Omani culture, creating opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to learn from one another and build lasting connections.
