Many expat families arriving in Dubai are surprised to learn that Arabic, and for Muslim students Islamic Studies, are a normal part of the timetable in private schools β not optional extras. The requirements come from the UAE Ministry of Education and are overseen locally, across curricula, whether your child follows a British, IB, American, Indian, or other programme. Understanding the basics early helps you plan expectations and homework realistically.
Arabic: who learns it and for how long
Arabic is typically compulsory in Dubai private schools for most students, often from the early primary years through to around the end of middle or early secondary schooling, with different expectations for native and non-native speakers. Schools usually group this as Arabic A for native speakers and Arabic B for non-native speakers, with different pace and assessments. The exact starting year and finishing point can vary by curriculum and guidance, so always confirm the current pattern with your school.
For non-native speakers, the focus is usually on everyday communication, reading and writing the script, and cultural understanding, rather than full literary fluency. Progress is still assessed and reported. If your child joins mid-year or has learned Arabic before, tell the school, so they can place them at a suitable level rather than starting again.
Islamic Studies: who takes it
Islamic Studies is typically required for Muslim students in Dubai private schools, taught in Arabic or English depending on the student’s language group and the school’s approved arrangement. Non-Muslim students do not usually take it; schools often timetable an alternative supervised lesson or study period then. If you are unsure how this applies to your family, ask admissions directly before you enrol, so there are no surprises once term starts.
- Muslim students: Islamic Studies is generally part of their required timetable
- Non-Muslim students: usually excused, with an alternative arrangement in school
- Native Arabic speakers: often study Islamic Studies in Arabic
- Non-native speakers: Islamic Studies is often delivered in English where approved
- Examinations and reports: both subjects are assessed like other subjects
Schools must record attendance and achievement in these subjects as elsewhere, so they are not informal add-ons. Check general guidance via KHDA at khda.gov.ae and the Ministry of Education, and get the precise timetable from your school.
What lessons and homework look like in practice
Expect regular weekly lessons, vocabulary learning, and for Arabic B, gradual work on letters, joining script, and short reading passages. Homework is usually lighter than in maths or English, but consistent, and little-and-often practice helps a lot. Hearing Arabic in daily Dubai life β signs, announcements, greetings β gives children useful context between lessons.
For Islamic Studies, lessons typically cover beliefs, worship, the life of the Prophet, Qur’an study appropriate to age, and values and character. Content is age-banded and set by approved materials. If you have questions about a particular term, teachers are usually happy to share a topic overview.
How to support your child as an expat parent
You do not need to speak Arabic to support learning. Ask your child to teach you a new word each week, use the school’s vocabulary lists for short practice, and treat Arabic homework routines like any other subject. If your child finds the script difficult at first, that is very common; progress for beginners is often uneven in the first year and then steadies.
Keep communication open with teachers. If your family circumstances, previous schooling, or language background affect placement, explain it early with any documents the school requests. Schools handle a wide range of starting points every year and are used to settling newcomers.
Confirm the details for your school
Because requirements are updated nationally and applied by curriculum and year group, avoid relying only on older forum posts or another school’s handbook. Check current KHDA parent information, ask admissions for the timetable for your child’s exact year group, and confirm assessment arrangements in writing if you need clarity.
Seen clearly, these subjects are part of what it means to be educated in the UAE, connecting children to the language and culture of the country they live in. With the right expectations from the start, most expat families find them a manageable β and often valued β part of school life in Dubai.