teaching english to arabic student

I am a parent trying to teach a third grader to read and speak english. He is from Palestine and speaks arabic and little english. He moved here before he could read much in arabic and is very shy (and cute). do you have any helpful suggestions. I am trying to use pictures, sounds and sight. Thanks so much. Phonics is difficult he is mostly trying to sight read and memorize.

Please take a look at the following post which offers you a rather comprehensive discussion on the points that a teacher dealing with Arab learners should know; hope it's of help:


Difficulties of Arab speakers learning English