ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 BUSINESS 20

Workshops aim to help teachers hone their skills and teaching strategies while extending quality training Little Thinking Minds makes learning Arabic more fun By Michelle Fe Santiago Arab Times Staff KUWAIT CITY, Feb 12: The Little Thinking Minds LTD in collaboration with the Dasman Bilingual School held for the fi rst time on Saturday the Ara- bic Literacy Conference with the theme “Inspiring Creativity Through Read- ing.” The conference was attended by Ar- abic teachers and school owners from both private and public schools who participated in fi ve simultaneous work- shops. The topics ranged from how to encourage immersive and innovative reading practices, diffi culties in reading and how to overcome them to engaging children through drama. Through these workshops, Little Thinking Minds aimed to help teachers hone their skills and teaching strategies while extending quality training. “This conference comes from the From right to left: Adel Al Sane – Dasman Bilingual School CEO, Samar Dizmen – Dasman Bilingual School Super- Some of the Arabic teachers school’s belief in the centrality of intendent, Dr Khalil Abu Afi fi – Arabic Division Principal, Dasman Bilingual School, Dr Ghadeer Hatabeh – Head Edu- reading in the educational system, to cation Advisor and Curriculum Consultant and Diala Ramahi – Little Thinking Minds Regional Relationship Director. it at school or at home and they have with school curriculum. stimulate critical thinking, and em- this continued enrichment,” pointed out “Our programs suit the needs of eve- power the students with the skills of “In addition to the suite of high- language, on Arabic literacy, the im- edness in the Middle East and North Dominica. rybody, be they non-native or native the 21st century. We also believe that quality literacy programs we offer to portance of reading, the importance of Africa (MENA). Their products are be- She highlighted that the Little Think- students, we have something to offer the Arabic language specialists should school, we at Little Thinking Minds critical thinking and how you can en- ing used in over 200 public and private ing Minds encourages students to learn to everyone to help them learn Arabic receive quality training that develops have always believed in professional courage other higher skills, workshop schools across the MENA region, as Arabic language and literature in a in a more fun and engaging manner. their skills, and we’re happy to part- development as a central tenant to en- on how teachers can use drama skills well in select school systems in Aus- more fun and engaging manner. We have created videos. There are a ner with Little Thinking Minds,” said gaging teachers and by extension stu- within the Arabic classroom to make it tralia, Canada, and North America. To “We use modern standard Arabic lot of contents. There are work sheets. Samar Dizmen, Dasman Bilingual dents. It is essential to complement ICT more engaging and have children learn date, LTM products have reached over across all the Arab countries. We have Teachers can use these to fl ip the class- School Superintendent as she pointed tools with elevating skill sets. We’re the language. We’re also trying to fo- 100,000 students globally. taken very interesting children’s story room. It’s bringing the digital era into out that the conference was very timely very excited about this conference and cus on the core importance of Arabic “We are an educational company books and different contents, some are the Arabic classroom. In some places, as many Gulf countries are moving to to be entering the Kuwaiti Market,” literacy,” explained Little Thinking and the main mission of our company fi ctional some are non-fi ctional and we like some of our programs especially a knowledge-based economy, bringing stated Lamia Tabbaa, Co-Founder and Minds Marketing and Sales Director is to improve learning outcomes. The have digitized them on the program. the non-native program “I Start Ara- together top speakers from Jordan, Ku- head of Communication and Engage- Supriya Dominica who was with the age bracket that we cater to is from We have at the moment 650 books on bic,” it’s aligned with curriculum so we wait and Egypt. ment at Little Thinking Minds LTD. delegation. pre-K (kindergarten) to the age of 14, our core advanced program. Most of have a team of literacy experts that we The Little Thinking Minds founded Five literacy experts spearheaded the Little Thinking Minds is an Educa- 15 and most of our programs are indi- our contents are from Arab winning au- work with. They study the curriculum in 2005 by Rama Kayyali and Lamia intensive workshops for Arabic teach- tion Technology company that creates vidualized. They are built around the thors,” she outlined. and they study the Arabic Children’s Tabbaa is a growing team of passionate ers all over Kuwait. educational products and resources for knowledge and needs of students and In this digital era, educational learn- literature that’s published and what’s educators, programmers, designers, art- “Our team in partnership with Das- school-aged children (4-12 years of we provide individualized learning so- ing is made easy and accessible to on the market. What we basically do is ists and literacy experts. The company man Bilingual School is here to impart age) with the aim of improving learn- lutions. With our programs, every stu- everyone as the Little Thinking Minds we try and align common literature to has offi ces in Jordan, the United Arab the right training skill sets and pro- ing outcomes, advancing skills and dent has his or her own log-in informa- team continues to work with a team of the curriculum goals and learning ob- Emirates and Saudi Arabia. grams among teachers of the Arabic increasing social and cultural connect- tion and they can access the program be literacy experts to align its programs jectives,” beamed Dominica. Dr Seemant Raizada claims trophy in Division B Adnan Assaf wins Toyo Golf tourney KUWAIT CITY, Feb 12: Toyo Golf the ‘Stableford’ format, which allows for whereas in the Men’s group, the corre- Tournament was organized last Friday relatively fast play. Though it has been sponding prize was won by Scott Dun- 8th Feb, 2019 at the Sahara Golf Club. relatively cold & windy over the past few ning. Last but not the least, the coveted It was the 36th year of this prestigious days, thankfully the weather was quite Best Gross trophy was won by the expe- event, which started in 1983 and since pleasant on Friday with sunny condi- rienced Abdulwahab Al-Mussalam, who then has been held each year with the tions in the morning and a mild breeze has always come up with remarkable exception of 1991. The trophy is appro- followed by light rains in the afternoon. performances in this tournament, even priately called the Liberation Cup as the The veteran Adnan Assaf came up in the past. Finally, the highlight of the tournament is organized in February for with a fabulous score of 37 points net day was an amazing shot by Sisonxay commemorating the National and Lib- (and 69 gross in a par-70 course) so as Ngaovongsi, the Ambassador of Laos, eration Days. to win the trophy in Division A. He was who hit a ‘Hole-in-One’, a rarity in golf, The tournament is quite popular followed by Luiz Swarez in the second at Hole no. 11, a par-3 hole. among golf enthusiasts. Being an Open place with 35 points. In Division B, Dr Prize distribution was organized in event, the participation is not just limited Seemant Raizada achieved a whopping the afternoon in the gracious presence to Sahara Club members but includes 44 points to win the prize. Incidentally, of Keishi Inoue, General Manager, Toyo BSK staff and students golfers from all over. As always, there this is his second successive win – he Tires Japan who had specially fl own in was an overwhelming request for partici- was the winner last year also. The second from Osaka for the tournament. Speak- pation, and eventually 100 players were prize in Division B was won by Yahya ing on the occasion, Kuldeep Lamba, Young Musicians of the Gulf 2019 competition shortlisted. To ensure a level playing Bakir at 35 points. Managing Director, Al Mailem Group fi eld, the players were categorized into Among other prizes, Nearest to Pin expressed his satisfaction at the enthusi- two divisions based on their handicap was won by Alison Peterson and Brett astic turnout, and complimented Razmic, levels : Division A (Handicap 0 to 14) King in Ladies and Men’s categories Richard, Xuxon, Jason, Cameron and BSK’s La Camerata returns victorious and Division B (Handicap 15 to 28). respectively. As regards Longest Drive, other Sahara Club staff for their profes- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 12: Another students, this too being her sixteenth were not able to make it through to the Toyo Golf has traditionally followed Fadia Emadi was the winner in Ladies, sional administration of the event. year and yet another victory, the Brit- competition. Accompanied to Bahrain Grand Final. ish School of Kuwait’s ‘La Camerata’ by our pianist Miss Emily Jeffcott, Di- The BSK’s ‘La Camerata’, consisting returned from the 2019 Young Musi- rector of Performance Music, BSK stu- of a pianist, eight violins, bass trom- cians of the Gulf (YMOG) competi- dents were very well prepared. bone, trumpet, drums and chimes played tion as winners in the Large Ensemble Outstanding performances were a piece especially arranged for them by category. This is the most prestigious heard in the duet and trio category, the renowned Kuwaiti composer Magdi music competition of its type held in and BSK’s newly formed Wieniawski Talaat, ‘Al-Aghani Al-Kuwaitiya’. the Gulf region. Hosted by St Christo- Duet consisting of Vivian Sequiera and They made their way to the highly com- pher’s School in Bahrain, the competi- Luaidh Williams was no exception. Pro- petitive semifi nal where once again they tion is open to all British Curriculum gressing to the second round, they per- triumphed, being crowned the YMOG schools who are members of The British formed beautifully. Also joining them 2019 Large Ensemble winner. La Cam- Schools in the Middle East organization. in the second round were BSK’s two erata would now perform in the Grand With 101 member schools and 95,000 solo violinists; Vivian Sequeira and Sa- Final in the Sofi tel Hotel, contesting students in ten member countries around rah Aldashti, and on bass trombone Ali the Overall Ensemble category, return- the world, success in the competition is Alobaidan. Solo vocalists Mahima Juyal ing there after their victory in 2018 as without doubt a great achievement. and Naomi Pereira performed wonder- Overall Ensemble winners. La Camer- 2019 saw the running of the twentieth fully in the initial rounds and proceeded ata pulled out all the stops in the Grand competition and the sixteenth time BSK to the semifi nal. Performing songs of Final, receiving a standing ovation. has participated. Miss Galina Bojilova, their choice; Green Finch and the Linnet The next event in BSK for La Cam- the Director of Strings at BSK was in- Bird and Climb Every Mountain, they erata will be at BSK’s Music Festival strumental in the preparation of BSK made a big impact on the audience but Week starting on 10 March. Group photo of the winners Inspiring design for a distinct personality Lexus launches new Lexus RC in Middle East KUWAIT CITY, Feb 12: With a dedi- Toyota Motor Corporation. He added: ance. Air ducts have been added to the Complementing the new Lexus RC’s Completing the new Lexus RC’s dis- technology package that includes Pre- cation to high performance and world- “With its modern design and sharpened corner of the RC’s rear bumpers, result- progressive design is a thrilling drive tinct personality is its exquisite interior Collision System (PCS) with pedestrian class craftsmanship, Lexus launches driving dynamics, the new RC deliv- ing in better handling stability and en- personality imbued by two powertrain that invites the driver and passenger to detection during daylight and certain today the new Lexus RC in the Middle ers on our promise to push the limits of hanced overall driving response. Also, options. The RC 350 is powered by enjoy a range of advanced features of- low-light condition, all-speed range Dy- East, offering a smoother ride, as well creativity and craftsmanship to develop the rear combination lamps now house a sophisticated 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson fering a refi ned cabin experience. These namic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), as a fresh new look and design. The RC vehicles that create amazing experienc- more pronounced L-shaped lenses that cycle engine that produces 311 hp and include an enhanced in-vehicle 10.3- Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with steer- Coupe promises drivers a sharper and es. I would like to thank our customers serve as a new signature design feature 380 Nm of torque. The engine inte- inch multimedia display, a 4.2-inch ing control alert, and Adaptive High more graceful experience. for their continued support that fuels our for Lexus vehicles. grates advanced technologies, such as color multi-information display (MID), Beam System (AHS). Adding to a host Since its introduction in 2014, the RC journey to excellence and I am confi dent The RC F Sport is distinguished by a D-4S fuel injection system and Dual Lexus Climate Concierge with a 2-zone of safety features, a pop-up hood sys- has played a signifi cant role in promot- that the new coupe will quickly fi nd fa- its exclusive F Sport styling features VVT-i, to deliver a balance of exhila- independent temperature control sys- tem has been adopted to create a space ing Lexus’ commitment to delivering an vor with them.” inside and out, including the front rating power and superb environmental tem, 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound to absorb the impact force in the event “emotional driving experience” in every Lexus designers sought to maintain Spindle Grille with new F Sport mesh performance. Meanwhile, the RC 300 is system, Auto Location-Tire Pressure of a frontal pedestrian collision, helping single one of its vehicles. Thanks to its the RC’s dynamic coupe proportions, pattern, steering wheel, single central powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged in- Warning System (AL-TPWS), 3-posi- enhance their protection. In addition, the svelte sporty appearance and versatile while adding a high level of elegance to 8-inch meter with a G-force monitor, line four-cylinder engine that combines tion memory switches for the driver’s new Lexus RC features a comprehen- driving character, the RC has since be- the exterior. This was done, in particu- and sports front seats. Additional per- a compact high-effi ciency twin-scroll seat, 8-way adjustable power and ven- sive array of safety features to protect come a popular choice in the premium lar, through the addition of distinctive formance features available on the RC turbocharger with an Atkinson Cycle tilated front seats with one-touch walk- its occupants, such as 8 SRS airbags, luxury coupe marketplace. The fresh design elements, such as a new front F sport include an Adaptive Variable engine with Dual VVT-i, producing in function, as well as ample luggage Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Trac- new RC retains all the virtues of the cur- bumper corner that fl ows down from Suspension (AVS), Torsen Limited Slip 241 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The two space with room for two full-set golf tion Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking rent model and then takes them to the the headlamps, and a grille mesh pattern Differential, drive mode select with fi ve powertrains are mated to an eight-speed bags thanks to the 60:40 split folding System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce outer limits by adopting Lexus’ new sig- whose shapes gradually transform from levels including Sport S+, and a custom sport direct-shift automatic transmission rear seats. Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), nature design language and sharpened top to bottom. Also, vertically arranged mode that enables drivers to customize that delivers a smooth shift feeling and Highlighting Lexus’ unrelenting fo- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross- driving dynamics. extra-small triple LED headlamps and the powertrain settings, as well as air superb drivability, together with excel- cus on safety, the new vehicle ensures Traffi c Alert (RCTA), and Hill-start As- Furthermore, enhancements have new L-shaped LED clearance lamps add conditioning to suit their mood and driv- lent fuel effi ciency and outstanding qui- complete peace of mind with Lexus sist Control (HAC), among many others. been made to the RC’s aerodynam- to the car’s new, more classy appear- ing style, among many others. etness even at high speed. Safety System+, an advanced safety ics, tires, suspension, in addition to Available in 11 distinctive exte- improvements to engine response and rior colors, the new Lexus RC allows steering feel, all of which result in a customers to express their individual- sharper and more refi ned drive intro- ity with four exclusive colors for the duced by the LC. The new RC is more F Sport variant, including White Nova stable than ever, with a wider stance and Glass Flake, Lava Orange Crystal Shine, lower center of gravity refl ecting a high Naples Yellow Contrast Layering, and ability to maintain its grip under a va- Heat Blue Contrast layering, truly con- riety of road conditions. This provides veying the RC’s sporty nature. On the a high level of driver confi dence and a other hand, the interior comes in a total reassuringly fl at ride quality, making it of seven colors, with three exclusive the ideal grand tourer, whether they are colors for the F Sport - Mustard Yellow, challenging a twisty mountain road or Flare Red, and White. There are also simply taking a long-distance commute fi ve available ornamentations depending on the open highway. on the grade, along with two exclusive “We are excited to announce the designs for the F Sport – Naguri-style launch of the new Lexus RC, presenting Aluminum and Hairline. Furthermore, our customers in the Middle East with the new model has been rearmed with a premium luxury coupe that offers a three wheels designs; an 18-inch wheel truly distinct and engaging driving ex- and two 19-inch wheels – with one perience,” commented Yugo Miyamoto, aggressively-styled exclusive for the F Chief Representative, Middle East and Sport inspired by those on the LS and North Africa Representative Offi ce, Interior design of the new Lexus RC The all-new Lexus RC Coupe LC.