Qatar

Language and Literacy

Arabic is the official language and the language of instruction in Qatar. Farsi, Balochi, Pashto, and Urdu are among the many languages and dialects spoken by Qatar’s large expatriate community. English is the most popular language spoken among Western expatriates, although bilingualism and language switching between Arabic and English are common among Qatari nationals and expatriates.

The importance of literacy in Qatar’s society is evident in a variety of contexts. One tradition that promotes literacy is reading of the Quran by parents to their children at an early age and having them repeat verses. When children begin reading on their own, this activity becomes a daily practice that is monitored by parents or tutors at home.