Parent guide · Families in the UAE
Can my child learn Arabic, our home language and English at the same time in the UAE?
Yes. Many children in the UAE grow up with three languages, and children are able to learn several languages at once. Arabic is a core subject in UAE schools: for students who are not Arab nationals, private schools usually teach it from Grade 1 to Grade 9, and Dubai is phasing in Arabic for children up to age six. Keep the home language strong at home, support Arabic and English through school and short regular practice, and expect each language to grow at its own pace.
Key takeaways
- Children can learn three languages at the same time.
- Arabic is a core subject in UAE schools.
- Each language grows at its own pace; one may lead for a while.
- Mixing words from different languages is a normal stage.
- Keep the home language strong; it supports the others.
How are languages taught in UAE schools?
Most private schools in the UAE teach mainly in English, with Arabic as a core subject. Students who are Arab nationals usually study Arabic as a first language through school. For other students, Arabic is usually taught as an additional language and is compulsory from Grade 1 to Grade 9, typically four lessons a week, after which it may become optional.1 In Dubai, KHDA announced in February 2025 that Arabic learning will be required for young children at private schools and early childhood centres, starting with ages four to six from September 2025.2 Rules can differ by emirate and school, so check with yours.
Is three languages too many for a child?
No. Children around the world grow up with two, three or more languages. Learning several languages does not use up space or confuse the brain. What it does need is enough time with each language: regular, meaningful use at home, at school or in activities. It is common for one language to be stronger for a while, usually the one a child hears most.
Is it a problem if my child mixes languages?
Mixing words from two or three languages in one sentence is a normal part of growing up multilingual. Children often borrow a word from another language when they do not know it yet in the one they are speaking. You can gently repeat the sentence back using the right word, without stopping the conversation. Our guide to bilingual children explains this in more detail.
How can we keep the home language strong?
- Speak the home language naturally at home, especially for stories, feelings and family talk.
- Read and tell stories in the home language, and sing songs from your culture.
- Keep in touch with grandparents and relatives by video call in that language.
- Choose a simple family pattern, such as home language at home and English and Arabic at school.
A strong home language gives children ideas and vocabulary that help them in their other languages.
How can I support Arabic if I do not speak it?
You can still help a great deal. Ask the Arabic teacher what your child is learning and how to practise at home. Use Arabic songs, children’s programmes and simple picture books. Show interest by asking your child to teach you a word or phrase each week. Short, regular practice helps more than long sessions before tests.
How can I support English alongside the other languages?
Read English books together, talk about what your child did at school, and make space for English with friends and activities. If English is the main language of school, regular speaking practice helps your child take part in class confidently. Little Lingos teaches English to more than 50 families in the UAE, many of whom speak another language at home; see online English classes in the UAE.
Questions parents ask
Questions parents ask
Will learning Arabic slow down my child’s English?
Learning more than one language does not hold children back in English over time. A child may be stronger in one language at a given moment, depending on how much they use it. Regular use of each language is what helps.
Is Arabic compulsory for non-Arab children in UAE private schools?
Arabic is a core subject in UAE schools. For students who are not Arab nationals, it is usually compulsory from Grade 1 to Grade 9 as an additional language. Requirements can change and vary by emirate and school, so check with your child’s school.
Should we stop speaking our home language so our child learns English faster?
No. Keeping the home language strong supports thinking, family connection and learning in other languages. Children can grow in English through school, books and practice without giving up the home language.
My child answers in English when I speak our home language. What should I do?
This is common when English is the main school language. Keep speaking your home language warmly and patiently, and make it fun with stories, songs and family calls. Children often understand much more than they say and may speak it more later.
At what age can children start learning a third language?
Children can be exposed to several languages from birth. Many UAE children meet English and Arabic in nursery or school while speaking a different language at home, and they adapt well with regular, friendly exposure.
Sources
- GEMS Education. “Arabic Language Curriculum Requirements in UAE Schools.” gemseducation.com.
- Gulf News (21 February 2025). “Dubai: Arabic language learning made compulsory at all private schools.” gulfnews.com.
Sources checked 27 October 2026. This guide is general information for parents, not medical or speech-therapy advice. School rules and calendars change; check with your child’s school for current details.
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