ALA trains government employees on official correspondences

Sharjah 24

14-05-2025

Better correspondences for better institutional image
The training sought to increase participants' ability to write official communication at a high level of professionalism. It taught students fundamental language and technical skills connected to the art of formal communication, emphasising its importance for institutional image and performance.
Enhancement of the Arabic literary tradition
Dr. Mohamed Safi Al Mosteghanemi, Secretary General of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, stated that the art of official writing is a continuation of a long-standing Arab heritage that is refreshed with each generation. He emphasised that professional writing improves employees' competency and institutional presence because a well-crafted message represents a company, just as the tongue expresses thought.
Effective communication tools
The instructor highlighted that official mail is one of the most significant forms of institutional communication. He mentioned that research shows that poorly written communication is responsible for more than 60% of official blunders. Poorly written messages create misconceptions, waste time, and harm the organisation's image. He emphasised the necessity of clarity, conciseness, objectivity, and articulating the goal from the start.
Fundamentals of professional writing
The seminar emphasised the importance of maintaining a professional tone hierarchy, using passive voice to communicate respect in formal circumstances (e.g., "Please be advised"), and distinguishing between formal and informal writing styles. It also emphasised avoiding emotional language and hyperbole, guaranteeing grammatical accuracy, and employing proper punctuation.
Types of correspondences
Training covers various communication styles, including internal memos, external letters, official emails, reports, and meeting minutes. Participants were invited to explore specialised sources, including traditional Arabic works like "Al-Washi Al-Marqoum", which epitomises the art of correspondence throughout Islamic history.
Course feedback
The workshop concluded with a discussion of common errors in official writing and provided advice to personnel on thoroughly proofreading messages before sending them to ensure effectiveness and quality. Participants expressed gratitude for the skills they acquired, citing a considerable improvement in their grasp of professional communication. Iman Humaid Ghanem, a tourism coordinator at the Sharjah Museums Authority, noted that the insights gained were superior to earlier training and gave a useful understanding of message content, presentation, and receiver impact.