Pearson, a leading learning company, has launched its Social Studies for Saudi Arabia series, which has been adapted to cater to learners from kindergarten to grade eight in the kingdom.

The series had previously been available for students up to grade five, said a statement. A social studies text for the entire Gulf is also currently under development.

The culturally relevant and contextualised education resources have been developed for students in the region to allow for better engagement in the learning process and higher achievement levels, said Nigel Kelly, who leads Pearson’s portfolio for schools in the Middle East.

“Students are more likely to reach their potential in the classroom when they are taught using learning resources that take into account their background and experiences. Resources that use examples, images and language familiar to students help them better relate to the learning content, and therefore more likely to assimilate and recall new information,” said Kelly.

Pearson also offers the My Gulf World and Me series, which includes six levels of carefully levelled readers that provide a clear progression path for school-age students developing the basics of the English language, said the statement.

The books feature local, everyday words, visual themes and topics taken from the Middle East to give children the opportunity to engage with key learning areas. The series also offers an activity book for each level to consolidate learning and encourage the application of core skills, grammar, speaking, listening, writing and comprehension.
 
The author, Kate Riddle said she has seen the difference these texts can make to the learning experiences of students in the Gulf.

“It is fantastic to see how excited students become when they read books that contain photos and information that relate to their daily lives in the Middle East. Immediately their interest is heightened, and they are motivated to continue reading and learning.”

Since 2011, Pearson has also offered a series of academic textbooks created for Arab university students known as the Arab World Editions. It also includes online homework and teaching tools titled ‘MyLab,’ making the whole learning process an engaging experience for students.

The collection encompasses 16 titles, across a range of disciplines including finance, accounting, mathematics, science, business and marketing, with brand new titles as well as Arab adaptations of popular international texts.

The collection meets strong demand in the region for textbooks and accompanying resources that are developed and written by academics that live and work in the region and that understand the unique learning needs of regional students, said professor Saadia Khouyibaba, the author of the Arab World Edition of Introduction to Mathematical Analysis.
 
“For the first time, Arab students have access to high quality learning resources, created by leading international experts that take into account the unique cultural, religious, political and economic circumstances of the region. By using examples taken from Arab companies, interviews with Arab business people and case studies of Arab examples, students from the region are more engaged with their learning and therefore motivated to achieve better grades. Regionally tailored resources also provide students with knowledge that will be more relevant to their future careers in this region”.

Pearson is confident these regionally tailored resources, will continue to have a positive impact on the learning outcomes of students across the Gulf region, added Kelly. - TradeArabia News Service