Maliha Wehbe’s Story

Maliha Wehbe began her teaching journey in Lebanon in 1968, driven by a passion for the Arabic language. In 1976, she moved to the United Arab Emirates with her family, bringing her love for teaching with her. Maliha first taught at the Dubai English Speaking School and also provided freelance lessons from home. Among her remarkable students was Mrs. Guillmard, the wife of the Dubai World Trade Centre Manager. Inspired by their shared passion for the Arabic language, Maliha and Mr. Guillmard established the Arabic Language Centre at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Following the success of ALC, Maliha aimed to expand her reach to a younger audience. In 1989, she founded Dar El-Ilm School of Languages (DEI), specializing in teaching Arabic to children. DEI later expanded its services to include foreign language instruction for both children and adults. In 2016, the two institutions—ALC and DEI—merged to form what is now known as the Arabic Language Centre, catering to learners of all ages.

Maliha was a true pioneer, developing an innovative method of teaching Arabic that focused on a simplified, logical approach to the language. She supported her method with her own teaching materials, including the Business and Social Arabic series and the Arabic Alphabet Guide. These materials, along with her teaching method, are still used at ALC today, continuously updated to reflect modern topics and changes.

Sadly, Maliha passed away on September 12, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer. Her legacy endures through the Arabic Language Centre, which continues to teach Arabic to generations of learners across the world, preserving her innovative approach and passion for language education.