Arabic Language Program for Academic Studies

The Arabic language program for non-native speakers is designed to help student acquire Arabic Language proficiency within an academic context. It also helps professionals develop their language and communication skills in Arabic on a professional level. On successful completion of the program, students are expected to communicate effectively in their academic environment. The students will:

• Develop communication skills in Arabic to enable students and professionals to master the language.
• Develop self-learning skills that enhance the spirit of initiative and the culture of continuous learning.
• Develop academic learning skills in Arabic and develop public speaking and writing skills on professional and academic levels.

Entry Requirements

Entry to the course is determined on the basis of assessing student’s language competency. Students are expected to set for a placement test to determine their level in Arabic Language and are categories as: Beginners, intermediate or advanced. Further assessments are done in the first two weeks to determine appropriate placement of students in the course.

Teaching and Learning

The program uses module based curriculum to develop four basic language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This is done in a way that enables the students to understand the basic Arabic language in terms of speech and syntax, and then applies the basic language components (phonetics, vocabulary, and compositions) through the teaching of basic grammar. The program is provided in an interactive learning environment that enables the students to gradually build their linguistic skills.

Application is a key part of the program; students are given the opportunity to apply the skills acquired in the classroom through educational activities that employ active learning and language practice through discussion, dialogue, and individual and group reading.

Assessment and Program Exit

The overall approach to assessment for the Arabic for Academic Studies program is aligned with teaching/learning methods that value knowing how to use a language, rather than knowing about a language. Thus, tasks that emulate “real-life” or authentic language use are evaluated according to the scale of proficiency.