Elementary Arabic

Learning the Arabic language is a journey of discovery. Share that journey with AUC this summer!

Learning new languages opens up opportunities in life, giving you a new view of the world and a wide range of learning experiences. Join us in this intensive language immersion course, where you will develop beginning Arabic language skills in an authentic setting. Your learning will extend to the streets of the magical, culturally rich, and ancient city of Cairo. This course will teach you the essential skills for daily communication and interactions in Arabic and a brief introduction to the Arabic alphabet. Through hands-on learning and integrated day trips around the city of Cairo, you will practice the Arabic learned in class while experiencing the distinctive sights and flavors of the city.

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Learning Outcomes

Reading and Listening

• Interpret familiar words and phrases in familiar contexts, such as product labels, inventories, and shopping lists.
• Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of simple and short texts related to everyday familiar contexts.
• Demonstrate understanding of the general meaning of short, simple, and clearly articulated spoken Modern Standard Arabic conversation and monologues on topics such as personal information, family, and routines.
• Identify names of items and simple descriptions when listening to clear Modern Standard Arabic input in defined, familiar, everyday situations such as airport announcements and weather forecasts.
• Demonstrate understanding of the general meaning of simple news in media and express the common news in simple expressions.

Speaking and Writing

• Exchange personal information.
• Understand and give simple instructions.
• Exchange information about places and events.
• Describe places, objects, and people.
• Write a short and simple description of pictures of persons and things.
• Write simple messages.
• Demonstrate understanding of the general meaning of simple news in newspapers.

Duration and Location

• July 28, 2024 - August 15, 2024.
• Sessions will run daily from 9 am to 3 pm.
• AUC New Cairo campus.
• Fridays and Saturdays off.

Fees

• $1,500 (price including field trips) - This amount is equivalent to half the price of a regular undergraduate course.
• 10% discount offered for siblings.
• Egyptian students can pay the equivalent amount in Egyptian pounds. 

Egyptian students can pay the tuition using

Current AUC Equivalent

This course is required for students who have not completed Thanawiyya Amma Arabic by the time of their admission to AUC. It also serves international students interested in learning new languages.

Note: Program requirements may change by the time the student applies to AUC. If this course is no longer a requirement for the major, it will be counted as an elective course.
 

Course Transfer

• Upon taking this course, you will receive a certificate of completion from AUC.
• The course is equivalent to 3 credit hours. Only students who pass the course will be able to transfer these 3 credits when they enroll at AUC. In case of transferring the course to other universities, their transfer assessments will apply. 
   

Requirements

• A copy of your report card for the past two years of school.
• A recommendation letter from a high-school teacher within the past academic year, if available.
   

Transportation

The AUC bus service is available for extra fees. Details on the schedule will be shared before the program’s start date.

Accommodation 

Accommodation is offered at the University Residences in case needed. 

About the Instructor

Saeed Alwakeel 

Saeed Alwakeel is an Arabic language and literature professor at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University. He worked as the vice dean for graduate studies and research at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University (2015-2017). He has been teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language since 1993. Alwakeel has published many books and collections of poems, among them: Mastering Arabic through Literature: Vol. 1 Short Stories, Vol. 2 Theatre, AUC Press, 2014, 2017. Analyzing the Narrative Text. Egyptian Book Organization, 1998. The Body in Contemporary Arabic Novels: Critical Writings Series, 2004. What Laila said to her infatuated lover. Qibaaa Publishing House, 2000.

AUC Refund Policy

A 100% refund of the program fees will be offered in the following cases. If reported at least three weeks before the program's start date.

• Course cancellation
• Medical withdrawal
• Visa denial