- Online
- $435
If you have no knowledge of Arabic beyond habibi and hummus but you are curious about the language and its rich cultures, this course is perfect for you. Arabic Beginner 1 is designed to help you gain basic communicative ability in Egyptian Arabic, the most widely spoken and understood dialect across the Arabic-speaking world. You will also learn to read and write the beautiful Arabic alphabet. Please note that while this course does not cover Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), you will be learning some MSA words as you practice the alphabet.
As you develop your language skills, you will gain familiarity with the culture and everyday life in modern Egypt. Lessons are designed to balance grammar and vocabulary with multiple opportunities to practise conversations in pairs and small groups.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
- greet and introduce yourself
- ask and answer what/who(se)/where is this
- exchange telephone numbers
- ask about and tell the time
- speak and ask about daily routine
- read and write the Arabic alphabet
How am I assessed?
This is a non-credit course without letter or numerical grades. You will receive verbal feedback on your conversation and grammar skills from your instructor during class. Written homework is typically corrected in class. Some lesson modules may include quizzes.
Record of completion
A record of completion will be emailed to students who participate and satisfy the course requirements within two weeks of the course end date.
Expected effort
You can expect to spend about three hours per week attending live, virtual classes and completing course work on your own time. Expect double this amount during the intensive summer term.
Technology requirements
To take this course, you’ll need access to:
- an email account
- a computer, laptop or tablet under five years old using Windows or macOS
- the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
- a reliable internet connection
- a video camera and microphone.
One day before the start of your course, we’ll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.