An ethical and adapted approach: the key to successful language stays for Muslim children
Like all adolescents around the world, middle and high school students of the Muslim faith have a thirst for escape, are eager to discover new horizons and new cultures, ready to leave the family cocoon to live a unique experience elsewhere, during language stays. enriching in more than one way.
If they are impatient to head to exotic destinations, to visit places and other emblematic monuments, while familiarizing themselves with the idioms of foreign languages, they are also keen, like their families, to go to adventure in the best possible conditions.
At the head of the Renovo association for several years, Taoufik Barboucha, joined by Oumma, was able to observe on the ground that this is where the problem lies. “Language stays offer middle and high school students the unique opportunity to practice a foreign language, while discovering new cultures. However, for many Muslim families, these experiences often lack options that respect their religious and ethical values. This unmet need pushes us to seek more inclusive and better adapted solutions,” he told us.
In his eyes, traditional language stays face three essential challenges. “First there is respect for religious practices. It is clear that few stays provide spaces for prayer or halal meals. There is also the problem of activities and/or environments that are not compatible with the values of Muslim families, not to mention supervision. Most facilitators are rarely aware of cultural and religious needs,” he lists, strongly deploring that these “gaps deprive many young Muslims of a constructive educational experience, promoting cultural openness and personal development, and often unforgettable.
Fortunately, the solution exists: rely on an ethical and adapted alternative, create tailor-made language stays! Many associations have taken up this challenge with flying colors, through the organization of stays consistent with Muslim values, taking place in a calming, reassuring setting and giving pride of place to programs which harmoniously combine language learning and respect for Islamic ethics:
• Halal-compliant meals and times dedicated to prayers;
• Benevolent supervision: the facilitators understand the specific needs of young Muslims;
• Immersive activities: they respect values, while allowing cultural discovery.
Among the pioneering organizations in this field, the Renovo association, founded and chaired by Taoufik Barboucha, stands out for its innovative approach. With several years of experience, she has acquired undeniable know-how in language stays designed to measure for Muslim middle and high school students. “Adapted accommodation in a large house with separate floors and supervisors living in the house, follow-up personalized for each participant, total transparency with videos and photos accessible to parents”, highlights their fervent promoter, happy to detail specificities which constitute so many valuable assets. “These stays highlight strong moments: active learning in class, enriching cultural outings, and unforgettable moments of sharing. These visual testimonies strengthen the confidence of families,” he emphasizes.
And to cite as an example a video published on the Renovo Facebook page, which presents a language stay in London. More eloquent than long speeches, it is the perfect illustration of the association’s commitment to offering exhilarating and memorable experiences, without the ethical values of young Muslim participants having to suffer. Quite the contrary…
“Our language stays make it possible to meet a growing need of Muslim families, while contributing to the personal development of children. These initiatives show that language learning that respects values is not only possible, but essential to building an open and confident generation,” insists Taoufik Barboucha.
The president of Renovo cannot strongly advise Muslim families, likely to be interested, to consult without delay all the visual testimonies and other supports available online to convince themselves of one thing: the ethical and adapted approach is the key to successful language stays for their children!
