The MEALAC Arabic Program

Language Coordinator: Taoufik ben Amor

Introduction

The Arabic language program at MEALAC offers courses at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels as well as graduate reading seminars. Each level is taught over two semesters, which means that, graduate seminars included, students can pursue the study of Arabic for four years or more if they choose, or have to, continue beyond the four semester foreign language requirement set by Columbia College.

The philosophy of the Arabic language program is to teach Arabic as a living language to a diverse body of students with a wide range of academic and professional needs. In order for us to do that, all our courses aim to develop all five skills, namely listening, speaking, reading, writing and culture. Students are exposed to authentic materials (audio, video and text). Our goal is to train students to be able to read and listen to primary sources as well as converse with Arabic speakers anywhere in the world.

Objectives of the Program

Elementary Level

Read and write in Arabic (i.e. be familiar with the letters and the sounds).
Initiate, respond to and maintain simple conversation on familiar topics, such as who you are, what you do, your family, your studies, etc.
Read simple passages on familiar topics and understand their content with the help of a dictionary.
Write simple compositions on familiar topics, such as your typical day, a description of your family or your home town.

Intermediate Level

Discuss general and specific topics, such as traveling, mass media in the Arab world, Arab universities, etc.
Understand the main points of lectures, radio programs and television.
Read and understand the main ideas of any non-technical text with the help of a dictionary.
Write essays on familiar topics and express opinions.
Recognize and use formal and informal register in appropriate situations.
Research, discuss and be familiar with a number of issues pertaining to Arab cultures and history.

Advanced Level

Read and understand various types of newspaper articles (descriptive, narrative, argumentative, etc.), essays and short stories on various topics with the help of a dictionary.
Listen to and understand the main points of a speech, lecture or news broadcast.
Discuss a number of specialized topics and be able to describe, narrate, argue a point and illustrate with examples.
Write cohesive and articulate summaries, accounts and critical pieces about the same topics.
Learn about the history, politics, culture and societies of the Arab World.


Home Faculty Programs Courses Languages News Affiliates Admissions		The MEALAC Arabic Program Language Coordinator: Taoufik ben Amor Introduction \| Objectives \| Registration Guidlines \| Heritage Students \| FAQ's \| Resources \| Web Resources Introduction The Arabic language program at MEALAC offers courses at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels as well as graduate reading seminars. Each level is taught over two semesters, which means that, graduate seminars included, students can pursue the study of Arabic for four years or more if they choose, or have to, continue beyond the four semester foreign language requirement set by Columbia College. The philosophy of the Arabic language program is to teach Arabic as a living language to a diverse body of students with a wide range of academic and professional needs. In order for us to do that, all our courses aim to develop all five skills, namely listening, speaking, reading, writing and culture. Students are exposed to authentic materials (audio, video and text). Our goal is to train students to be able to read and listen to primary sources as well as converse with Arabic speakers anywhere in the world. Objectives of the Program Elementary Level Read and write in Arabic (i.e. be familiar with the letters and the sounds). Initiate, respond to and maintain simple conversation on familiar topics, such as who you are, what you do, your family, your studies, etc. Read simple passages on familiar topics and understand their content with the help of a dictionary. Write simple compositions on familiar topics, such as your typical day, a description of your family or your home town. Intermediate Level Discuss general and specific topics, such as traveling, mass media in the Arab world, Arab universities, etc. Understand the main points of lectures, radio programs and television. Read and understand the main ideas of any non-technical text with the help of a dictionary. Write essays on familiar topics and express opinions. Recognize and use formal and informal register in appropriate situations. Research, discuss and be familiar with a number of issues pertaining to Arab cultures and history. Advanced Level Read and understand various types of newspaper articles (descriptive, narrative, argumentative, etc.), essays and short stories on various topics with the help of a dictionary. Listen to and understand the main points of a speech, lecture or news broadcast. Discuss a number of specialized topics and be able to describe, narrate, argue a point and illustrate with examples. Write cohesive and articulate summaries, accounts and critical pieces about the same topics. Learn about the history, politics, culture and societies of the Arab World.