Language education

Study of diverse languages permitted for teaching the Faith

"The Lord hath granted leave to whosoever desireth it that he be instructed in the divers tongues of the world that he may deliver the Message of the Cause of God throughout the East and throughout the West, that he make mention of Him amidst the kindreds and peoples of the world in such wise that hearts may revive and the mouldering bone be quickened."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 118, p. 62, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1137)

(The above is interpreted by Shoghi Effendi as an exhortation:)

"IV. Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations"

"D. Miscellaneous Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations"

"3. Miscellaneous Exhortations:"

"v. To study languages for the furtherance of the Faith"

(Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, no. IV-D-3-v)

Need for Children to Study languages

“And further, as well as in the ideals of character, instruction in such arts and sciences as are of benefit, and in foreign tongues.”

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í Education (compilation), no. 77)

“Every child without exception must from his earliest years make a thorough study of the art of reading and writing, and according to his own tastes and inclinations and the degree of his capacity and powers, devote extreme diligence to the acquisition of learning, beneficial arts and skills, various languages, speech and contemporary technology.”

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in Bahá’í Education (compilation), no. 105)

Suggested method of foreign language instruction

See Baha'i Education, no. 76 regarding multiple languages being taught at one time.

Possible outline of the above reference

• A. For the Native Tongue (Persian)
  1. Write and orally name the letters separately (then test?). (children copy letter and repeat the name orally)
  2. Write the letters connected (in words) (then test?) (until all letters are recognized).
  3. Write sentences and explain meaning (children copy) (then test?)
• B. For Foreign Languages (Arabic) (Arabic to Persian/Target to Native)
  1. Write foreign word (Arabic), explain meaning, then test children.
  • • a) Praise if someone correct
    • b) If not correct, the teacher should write the correct translation under the word (children copy it).
• C. For Other Foreign Languages (Russian, French, Turkish/several languages) (Persian to Other/Native to Target)
  1. Write (?) Persian (or Arabic?) word, then ask them to translate it into Russian/French/Turkish.
  • • a) If not correct, write the translation (children copy it)
  1. Write sentences and test.
  • • a) If not correct, write the translation (children copy it?)