King Salman Academy graduates 166 Arabic learners from Abjad center

By AI, Created 4:38 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language marked the graduation of 166 learners from the third cohort of its Abjad Arabic Language Education Center in Riyadh on May 13, 2026. The eight-month program combined Arabic instruction with Saudi cultural immersion, underscoring the Academy’s push to expand Arabic education for non-native speakers.

Why it matters: - The graduation shows growing demand for Arabic-language study among learners from outside the Arab world. - The Abjad model links language instruction with cultural exposure, which can speed real-world integration and deepen understanding of Saudi society. - The program supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals tied to cultural exchange and the global profile of Arabic.

What happened: - The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language celebrated the graduation of 166 learners from the third cohort of the Abjad Arabic Language Education Center in Riyadh on May 13, 2026. - The graduating class included male and female learners from 44 nationalities. - The cohort completed an eight-month educational journey.

The details: - Abjad is one of the Academy’s education initiatives for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers. - The center pairs Arabic learning with Saudi culture. - The curriculum follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. - Instruction covered levels from A1 to B2. - Graduates completed 640 training hours. - The program focused on listening, speaking, reading and writing. - Learners also took part in classroom, extracurricular and co-curricular activities. - The program included more than 42 cultural and enrichment visits to historical and cultural sites across Saudi Arabia. - Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of KSGAAL, said the Academy offers integrated educational and cultural pathways that attract learners from diverse nationalities. - Dr. Al-Washmi also said the Academy’s programs continue to receive support from HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KSGAAL.

Between the lines: - The Abjad center is designed as more than a language course. It is also a cultural onboarding program for learners who want immersion in Saudi life. - The mix of formal instruction and site visits suggests the Academy is treating Arabic education as a soft-power tool as well as an academic one. - The international make-up of the cohort points to broad global interest in Arabic in Saudi Arabia, not just in online or overseas classrooms.

What’s next: - KSGAAL said it will continue working to strengthen Arabic language education and promote Arabic culture globally. - The Academy’s broader strategy remains aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and with efforts to expand cultural dialogue and international ties. - Future cohorts at Abjad will likely continue the same blended model of language learning and cultural engagement.

The bottom line: - Abjad is emerging as a flagship example of how Saudi Arabia wants to teach Arabic: structured, immersive and closely tied to national culture.