Curriculum

CURRICULUM

Our driving emphasis is on fluent, accurate and culturally sensitive communication.

We begin with an oral approach to the language. The first 10-week period concentrates on accurate pronunciation and oral communication. Then, one third of class time is taken up with literacy, grammar and literature. At the end of the full program, a student should be able to deal with various subjects orally, and be able to read some books printed in Arabic. We also cover letters, articles, lessons, sermons and talks upon a wide variety of subjects.  Students must apply themselves diligently throughout the two-year course to be able to communicate with ease in Arabic.

Knowing the Arabic alphabet in advance is not necessary. “Conversational” Arabic differs significantly from Classical or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and can almost be regarded as a separate language. Conversational Arabic is an unwritten language. MSA is the only acceptable written representation of Arabic and it is not flexible in vocabulary or spelling, so when it differs from conversational Arabic, it is not a good medium to represent spoken words. With few exceptions, we use a western script/transliteration to represent the words in spoken Arabic and teach the Arabic script when we introduce reading and writing MSA.

Advance Placement

New students are placed in the first level of the program. Students who studied Arabic previously may seek advance placement only to level 2. To qualify, they must first complete admission including payment of the required non-refundable pre-registration fee of 100 JOD. After that, three tests will have to be taken and passed in order to qualify. The tests are:

  1. Placement test
  2. Final Book One (Patterns) exam with a score of no less than 80%.
  3. Petra Book (Grammar) exam from lesson 1 to 16 with a score of no less than 80%.

These tests should be taken far enough in advance to arrange remedial tutoring if necessary. The combined non-refundable fee for all three tests is 25 JOD. Approval is the prerogative of the program director.

Guests

Non-students are not allowed to observe classes.

Visiting guests are welcome to meet the administration during regular operating hours by previous appointment only. Please, email us to set up an appointment.

Our regular office hours are Monday through Thursdays from 8:15 am to 1:00 pm. Phone calls and emails are taken care of during our regular working schedule.

Students should be aware that hosting visitors from overseas requires a great deal of effort and time and impedes language study. As much as is practical, students should host visitors only when school is not in session.