In Conversation with Dr. Hanada Taha Thomure

Abstract

Hanada Taha Thomure is the Director of the Zayed Arabic Language Research Center and the Endowed Professor of Arabic Language Education at Zayed University, UAE. Previously, she served as associate dean and acting dean at Bahrain Teachers’ College. Dr. Taha is renowned for developing the first system for leveling Arabic texts, which has been adopted by regional and international publishers and has leveled over 11,000 children’s books. Currently, she is collaborating with NYU Abu Dhabi on Barec Corpus, which will use AI for text leveling. Dr. Taha also formulated Arabic language arts standards, benefiting more than 200,000 students, and co-authored the BilArabi K-9 curriculum. Her advisory roles span influential institutions such as the Queen Rania Foundation, Scholastic, USAID, UNICEF, the UAE Prime Minister’s Office,
and the World Bank. Dr. Taha’s internationally published research focuses on Arabic language teaching, oral reading fluency, Arabic children’s literature, and curriculum design. She has authored numerous policy reports, articles, and book chapters addressing critical issues in Arabic education. Her creative literary works include children’s books and prose, reflecting her commitment to advancing Arabic literacy and cultural understanding. Dr. Taha’s contributions have been recognized through awards and nominations, highlighting her impact on educational reform and literacy promotion across the MENA region.