About the authors

Dr. Layla Bahar Al-Aloom holds a Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction Specialization from Capella University. She is a dedicated Arabic language instructor at California State University-Fullerton and Chaffey College. Additionally, she serves as an independent consultant, providing expertise in teacher training, curriculum design, development, and review. Her passion for the Arabic language and culture motivates her to seek innovative strategies to engage students in real-world applications of Arabic language learning. With a long experience in higher education instruction, coaching, and program coordination, Dr. Layla Bahar Al-Aloom is committed to empowering learners on their Arabic language journey.   

 Maysaa Toma is an Author, instructor, and visual Artist. Maysaa was born and raised in Iraq, then she moves to the United States where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences Art from the School of Art and Design at San Diego State University, graduated summa cum laude. And received her Master of Arts in Arabic language and linguistics from the California University of Pennsylvania. Maysaa currently resides in San Diego, she works as an Arabic language instructor for all levels, teaching different modalities at San Diego City College and Grossmont College. She also worked as an art teacher and proofreader for e-book stories from English to Arabic and vice versa. Maysaa believes in creating a positive classroom environment where all students feel comfortable, welcomed, and respected. She enjoys instructing students from diverse cultures, and she also feels blessed to have worked on an OER textbook to be available to everyone. Maysaa considers her family, faith, and work the most important things to her. In her free time, if she is not spending time with her friends and family, she spends her time reading, or painting. She believes there is a strong connection between art and language; both can complement and assist each other. She also believes that letters in all languages have beautiful shapes and symbols, as do the letters in the Arabic language. Therefore, Maysaa sometimes uses Arabic letters and words in her paintings to highlight the beauty of the language through her art. She also likes to cook, travel, go to the beach, and sports. Maysaa enjoyed her first experience writing an OER textbook, Introduction to Arabic, and she considered it an interesting and useful experience. Now she is looking forward to authoring more books in the future.

Roula Aoneh is an Assistant Professor of Arabic at Cuyamaca College in San Diego, CA. She combines an affluent professional background in education with 25 years of working experience in teaching and managing Arabic schools throughout San Diego County. Her area of expertise includes sociolinguistic and language contact with an emphasis on Arabic language, Arabic curriculum design, and ESL. She received her master’s degree in education, TESOL, from Alliant International University in San Diego. She is an extensively adept in teaching Arabic language, Arabic civilizations, Arabic literature & culture, and ESL at various educational institutions throughout San Diego including University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego Community College District, Arabic Learning Centers, and, currently, Cuyamaca College. Additionally, Roula is a member on various committees and educational programs at Cuyamaca College and has long been involved with many local Arabic programs and schools that promote academic excellence and Arabic cultural awareness. She has also developed an Arabic children’s book for beginners, My Alif-Yaa, that is now currently used in many Arabic schools nationwide. Roula proudly believes that Arabic language is one of the most beautiful languages in the world and it is worthwhile to be taught and learned. When not at work, Roula loves spending good time outdoors enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather, traveling overseas, and spending time with her family and friends.