MORE ABOUT ME
My name is Ranya Sadek. I am Egyptian born, Canadian raised.
I spent my childhood in different Arabic countries with the largest portion of my life in Canada. I graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Toronto.
When I had my first child, I started to get fascinated with early childhood learning that helps stimulate brain development at an early age. I came across a program called “Your Baby Can Read” by Dr. Bob Titzer, and in my opinion was a big eye opener for me. Dr Titzer’s method proved that you can teach vocabulary as early as 9 months if you are dedicated and disciplined. His program “Your Baby Can Read” was an eye-opening experience and was the cornerstone of my motivation to prove that the same concept can be learned with the Arabic language, even though it is more complex.
This program encouraged me to test this on my daughter, who was 9 months old at that time and, to my surprise, it worked! The following brief video shows how she was able to read (sight words).
DISCOVERING MY PASSION
With that, I was determined to further investigate:
-How do we learn any language?
-How does human brain work?
-How can we be creative in teaching tough languages to a young audience?
Shortly after, I spent time intensively reading about child psychology. I then taught Arabic in Sunday schools for 10+ years and tutored children of all ages, in-person and online. Through my intensive experience, I discovered that I have a passion and gift for connecting with my students! Children and their parents would request me year after year, and nothing is more encouraging or satisfying to me than seeing them flourish before my eyes. Witnessing fabulous results is what kept motivating me more and more in this amazing path.
CHALLENGES!
As I was intensively reading about the Arabic language and researching existing tools, I became frustrated with current existing Arabic books in most Sunday Schools and children language sections. I also realized my students were equally frustrated with their Arabic books as well. Why?
-Hard and confusing curriculums were forced upon children who had weak/no Arabic background.
-No accommodation for the child’s psychological needs, interests, or at least the level of knowledge
-No logical sequence in learning Arabic. It was “as is”.
-No enough time to master the learnt materials before jumping to the next level.
With these challenges, I decided to take action. Teaching Arabic for 10+ years and observing the consistent needs of all the children I taught, I decided to make it my job to create an appealing approach rather than the ‘old school’ method. To develop a program that best suits each child’s unique environment and lifestyle. This pursuit is an evolving process influenced by creativity and fun!
MY TOOLS AND SKILLS
WHO ARE MY TARGET AUDIENCE?
My program is for EVERYONE. But it specifically targets those who:
– Have zero to minimal background in Arabic
– Have short attention spans
– Dislike learning Arabic because it is hard, confusing, or boring, etc.
– Have a hard time memorizing
– Have a busy schedule that doesn’t allow Arabic in their day
– Have a fluctuating schedule for Arabic time
– Dislike going to Weekend Arabic schools so as not to ‘waste their weekend’.
Watching young children grow in knowledge, happily and with confidence was my fuel to always continue in this honorable path despite the extraordinary work and efforts that goes into it.
