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This research paper explores the linguistic profile of a six-year old autistic boy who acquired the English language without receiving formal instruction. The study tries to shed light on the child's linguistic abilities in the light of Chomsky's innateness theory. This paper uses participant observations and informal questioning to collect data covertly in a naturalistic setting which is the school. The findings of the study revealed that school boy has a functional and communicative use of the English language, which exceeds basic knowledge. His early exposure to YouTube videos in English made him fully conversational, even verbose, contrary to his state when he is using the Moroccan dialect, a fact that implies that English might be his L1 language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the profound impact of language policies on identity and communication within multilingual societies, employing case studies from Morocco and the United States. Through an analysis of existing literature, this paper reveals that language policies significantly influence individuals' self-perception and interactions in various social and political contexts. By exploring the experiences of these two countries, this study aims to exemplify the intricate interplay between language policies, identity formation, and communication patterns. The methodology used for this research involves a comprehensive literature review, encompassing works by scholars such as Fishman, Kroskrity, and Blommaert. The case study of Morocco uncovers a multilingual country with Arabic, Amazigh, and French as prominent languages, each contributing to the nation's cultural and historical heritage. The recognition and promotion of Amazigh languages are significant milestones in Morocco's language policy, empowering the Amazigh community and fostering a sense of identity among Amazigh speakers. However, the prevalence of French, stemming from the country's colonial history, raises concerns about its impact on local languages and cultural identities. Conversely, the United States, without an officially designated national language, exemplifies cultural abundance and linguistic diversity. The paper concludes by urging further research into the relationship between language policies, identity, and communication in multilingual societies, and advocates for policies that foster linguistic diversity while promoting social cohesion and inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic has substantially affected the tourism industry in Morocco. the government has suspended all travel activities with the intention to restrict the spread of the virus. All tourist structures were directly affected by the crisis. Once these measures were slightly lifted, this situation, as complex and difficult to manage, forced tourism institutions to develop new communication strategies in order to recover their products and services. Nevertheless, these strategies differ according to the capacity of reception and the geographical location of each entity. In this regard, the objective is to measure the impact of Covid-19 on Moroccan tourism and especially the hotel industry, and the role of communication in promoting, as quickly as possible, their business activity (turnover), requiring the intervention of all stakeholders. Indeed, in this paper, based on a qualitative study, we will highlight, firstly, the communication strategies that have been adopted by a set of tourist structures in two regions, Rabat-Salé- Kénitra/Béni Mellal-Khénifra, and subsequently, measure not only the success of the latter to decamp these entities from their economic crises, but also to ensure their future growth prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport for development (SFD) has become an increasingly recognised and used approach to support positive social development across several contexts and thematic areas, including as it relates to improving the employability of young people not in employment or education (NEETs). Despite this, there has been limited research in this area, and we only have a partial picture of the experiences, mechanisms, and design of sport-for-employability programmes. Responding to this, the following paper presents the results of a qualitative study on the experiences and outcomes associated with an employability-focused SFD programme based in Casablanca, Morocco. Results illustrate how the programme provided crucial support to encourage consistent engagement and that this programme offered valuable opportunities for practical experiences and recognised qualifications. Nonetheless, many participants remain in short-term or precarious employment situations. Thus, closer alignment with job market needs and engagement with employment policy issues are likely needed to support longer-term, more secure employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the Netherlands, all women aged 30–60 years are invited to participate in the national cervical cancer screening programme, which is aimed at early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions. One fourth of the Dutch population has a migration background, with Turkish and Moroccan immigrants being the largest immigrant populations. Turkish‐ and Moroccan‐Dutch women show lower screening participation rates and a higher incidence of cervical cancer, compared to native Dutch women. Since current information materials are not tailored to these women's needs, we developed a short culturally sensitive educational video to facilitate informed decision‐making for cervical cancer screening among Turkish‐ and Moroccan‐Dutch women. This article describes the development process of this video and the lessons learned. Methods: Using the Entertainment–Education communication strategy, we collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of Turkish‐ and Moroccan‐Dutch women, researchers, public health experts, and creative media professionals. We developed the video following the different stages of the Media Mapping model: Orientation, Crystallization, Design/Production, Implementation, and Dissemination. Each stage is described in the paper. Results: The video was developed in Moroccan‐Arabic, ‐Berber and Turkish, and emphasized three main themes: (1) more certainty about having cervical (pre)cancer and the possibility to prevent treatment, surgery, or premature death, and because of this, being there for the children, (2) according to the Islam, a woman should take good care of her health, and (3) anxiety, shame, and privacy. Conclusions: A short culturally sensitive educational video, delivered as part of a larger intervention together with the current information brochure, was developed based on theory and grounded in the needs of Turkish‐ and Moroccan‐Dutch women. The value and effectiveness of this intervention to facilitate informed cervical cancer screening decisions are evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. Patient or Public Contribution: We collaborated with Turkish‐ and Moroccan‐Dutch women during the development process of a short culturally sensitive educational video. Turkish‐ and Moroccan‐Dutch women were also invited to watch the raw footage to verify whether the content and presentation matched their needs and requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding caregivers' needs is crucial for service planning and empowering caregivers around the world. Although research on autism from Arab countries is emerging, many countries are still unrepresented. Moreover, within-country disparities are understudied. This study investigated differences in needs, service use, and satisfaction between urban or rural living caregivers of autistic children in Morocco. The "Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use" served as a conceptual framework to investigate factors associated with receiving intervention and service satisfaction. Results from a survey among 131 Moroccan caregivers of autistic children revealed similarities and differences in urban and rural living caregivers' challenges and needs. Children from urban communities had 12 times higher odds of receiving intervention despite similar age and verbal ability. Significantly, fewer children from rural communities attended school as compared with urban communities. Limited autonomy skills in children were more challenging to rural caregivers, while limited social-communicational skills were more challenging to urban caregivers. These differences may inform healthcare policy-makers and program developers. Adaptive interventions are important to reflect regional needs, resources, and practices. Addressing enabling factors such as costs, information barriers, or stigma may help reduce both global and within-country disparities in autism care. It is very important to understand the needs of caregivers to be able to empower caregivers and to develop or improve services around the world. Therefore, research in different regions is needed to understand differences in caregivers needs between countries, but also between areas within countries. This study investigated differences in needs and service use between caregivers of autistic children in Morocco, living in urban and rural areas. A total of 131 Moroccan caregivers of autistic children took part in the study and responded to an interview survey. The results showed both similarities and differences between urban and rural living caregivers' challenges and needs. Autistic children from urban communities were much more likely to receive intervention and attend school than children from rural communities, even though age and verbal skills of the two groups of children were comparable. Caregivers expressed similar needs for improved care and education, but different challenges in caring. Limited autonomy skills in children were more challenging to rural caregivers, while limited social-communicational skills were more challenging to urban caregivers. These differences may inform healthcare policy-makers and program developers. Adaptive interventions are important to respond to regional needs, resources, and practices. In addition, the results showed the importance of addressing challenges as experienced by caregivers such as costs related to care, barriers in access to information, or stigma. Addressing these issues may help reduce both global and within-country differences in autism care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital revolution has brought about colossal changes in many social aspects. Thanks to the emergence of new digital technologies, many jobs have been executed by machines. Thus, employers are seeking different skills; they are known as soft skills. These skills are currently required for integrating the workforce. This article provides conceptual and empirical information related to employability skills development. It aims to explore the effect of soft skills training on the development of this skill among secondary school students. It is preliminary research to check students' knowledge of three skills: Critical thinking, Collaboration and Communication. The theoretical frameworks mobilized for this study are the project-based learning theory and the experiential learning theory (Kolb, 2005). A mixed approach is adopted to examine the development of these skills via a one-month in-person training for students of Oued Eddahab high school. Quantitative data were collected via two web-based questionnaires: a pre-training and a post-training to compare students' perceptions regarding the soft skills training. Qualitative data were collected by recording two focus groups. The quantitative results have revealed that there are many effective strategies to apply in order to enhance soft skills in high school. The qualitative results revealed that there is a positive relationship between the training workshops and the improvement of those skills. The majority of the students have expressed their satisfaction with the different workshops and stressed the importance of these skills for their academic and professional careers and for the improvement of their communicative capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we carried out seven distinct and independent rounds of correspondence tests to detect discriminatory behavior in domains and markets in France that have not previously been subjected to much investigation in the literature. The study areas included: purchasing a used car; purchasing an auto insurance policy; applying for a car loan; purchasing supplemental health insurance; enrolling in an adult training program; purchasing an existing small business; and renting vacation accommodations. Access to these items and services are associated with either potential pathways to a middle-class job or hallmarks of a middle-class living standard. We seek to discern evidence of discriminatory behavior according to the criteria of age, gender, ethnic origin, and the reputation of the neighborhood of residence (advantaged or disadvantaged). We discern statistically significant patterns in our observed statistical outcome (callback rates) in all seven markets, which we interpret as possibly indicative of discriminatory behavior; however, the criteria, the magnitudes, and the signs differ from one market to another. One finding is that differential treatment based on ethnicity and the reputation of the neighborhood (i.e., neutral or disadvantaged) might not be as systematic and mutually reinforcing as they are frequently perceived to be in the domains of labor and housing markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]