PREPARATORY
Academic Arabic Program
One program, two pathways
Matriculated Students
Matriculated students are students who apply to the BA in comparative Islamic studies, and are admitted into the Arabic program to reach the required Arabic proficiency level. They are required to complete the entire 1-year program, including the mandatory 4-week summer intensive in Istanbul. Upon successful completion of the 1-year Arabic program, students are automatically admitted into the BA.
Non-Matriculated Students
Non-matriculated students can apply to the Arabic program anytime during the academic year independently. They are only required to commit to the program one term at a time.
Program Overview
The Academic Arabic Program is a one-year program offered by Usul Academy that consists of three 11-week terms that are taught online, in addition to a 4-week intensive Arabic program live in Istanbul. Students attend 9 hours of live classes per week, in addition to 6–12 hours of study time outside of class. Most class hours occur on Saturday and Sunday, with an additional class on Wednesday.
Students who apply to the Honors Program: BA in Comparative Islamic Studies and do not pass the Arabic proficiency assessment will be required to complete this program to be admitted to the Foundations year of the Honors Program. Students can also apply separately to this program and will be considered non-matriculated students at Usul Academy.
This program benefits from more than twenty years of collaborative knowledge and experience from experts in developing Arabic programs for non-native speakers at Usul Academy’s partner institutions, such as ISAR, ISM, and EDEP.
Learning Outcomes
1. Communication skills: providing the student with the essential language tools and knowledge to master the reading and writing skills through (1) learning how to write the letters correctly, (2) recognizing their sounds, and (3) practicing reading and listening skills by learning vocabulary that enables them to communicate on a basic level.
A sample from the first book, which focuses on the Arabic letters.
2. Key grammatical skills: The program concentrates mainly on linguistic skills and applied grammar, yet depends on the grammar and translation method when dealing with classic old texts when the goal is not communication but just understanding a written text.
A sample from the third book, containing an excerpt from Ibn Sina’s book and instructions for students to understand and explain the grammar rules.
3. Focus on Academic Arabic: The program has a specific, clear goal, which is to enable the students to engage with modern and classic academic texts in the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
A sample from the second book, instructing students to read and understand the excerpt and answer questions related to the text.
4. Engaging with classical texts: For students to be capable of reading original academic texts and to engage with these texts through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Original academic texts include tafsīr texts, interpretations of ḥadīth, biographies, literary texts, and contemporary academic works.
5. Research & presentation: for students to achieve rigorous academic competency through conducting a research project on a topic of interest under faculty supervision to be presented at a student-faculty symposium.
6. Competency according to ACTFL: for students to reach the minimum advanced level according to the ACTFL standards by the end of the year.
“The main highlight of the program was the quality and expertise of the teachers. Their passion for teaching and eagerness to see the students improve was palpable. Additionally, the small class sizes were a positive highlight.”