World opens up for children

After greeting each other with a traditional Arabic, ‘Hello,’ East Lansing children sat down to learn about several Arabic countries at MSU on Saturday.

The event, which focused on Jordan, Pakistan and Nigeria, was part of a free series organized by the MSU Community Language School that is held monthly during regular MSU semesters.

“(The series is meant) to broaden their horizons and make them more aware of the world outside of Lansing,” German graduate student Emily Thomas, who helped with the event Saturday and works as an assistant coordinating intern for the Community Language School, said.

All of the presenters at the events are native-speakers.

The words “Asalam ul Alikum,” formed on 6-year-old East Lansing resident Landon Colaresi’s lips easily as one of the teaching assistants shook his hand during the event.

The phrase translates to “Peace be upon you,” a traditional Arabic greeting.

Arabic teaching assistant Alla Mahfouz said he hopes teaching the children the phrase will help break the stereotypes of Middle Eastern cultures that sometimes are portrayed in the media, such as many Middle Easterners being terrorists.

“The message of peace is something very primary in our culture,” Mahfouz said. “In greetings, the first word we say is, ‘Peace.’”

Colaresi has been to several of the cultural events, and, next to munching on Jordanian almond candies and coloring the green and white flag of Nigeria, his favorite part is memorizing new words.

“I like learning about languages,” he said. “In Arabic, to say, ‘What is your name?’ depends on whether you’re a boy or a girl.”

Although Colaresi has learned German greetings through the program as well, his exposure to new cultures will benefit him more than actually learning the languages, his father and MSU political science associate professor Michael Colaresi said.

“What’s more important is that (Landon) knows what’s out there,” Michael Colaresi said. “Even if no kid learns Arabic, their worldview broadens.”

Michael Colaresi said his son has benefited from living near the international diversity of MSU.

He goes to school at Red Cedar Elementary, where about 65 percent of students reported being of non-white, non-Hispanic origin, according to the National Center for Education Statistics for the 2009-10 school year.

Often, Landon Colaresi will learn about countries where his school friends are from, his father said.

“East Lansing can be a window to all parts of the world,” Michael Colaresi said.