Summer session starting the week of July 7, 2008 - enroll now!
Deadline: July 2, 2008

Arabic Group Classes

11 different levels, including an Advanced Media Class

Classes meet once per week for 2.5 hours

NEW: Accelerated class meeting twice per week covering Basic 1 & 2 or Basic 3 & Int. 1 in one term

Small class size (max. 9 students)

Experienced, native-speaking teachers

Four 10-week terms per year

Affordable tuition

Conveniently located at Dupont Circle

The Arabic Language Program at ILI consists of four 10-week terms throughout the year. We are offering eleven different levels from beginner to advanced, plus two accelerated classes covering 2 levels in one term. Classes meet at the Institute once a week in the evenings or on Saturday mornings. The accelerated classes meet twice per week. Our teachers are all native-speaking and experienced. The Arabic Language Program integrates speaking, listening, reading and writing. We maintain small class sizes to enable adequate time for conversation in every class. To find your level, please refer to the level description or use our self-evaluation guide. If you have further questions, please call Francisco Todd, ILI's Foreign Language Coordinator, at 202-686-5610 extension 105.

Level Description

Arabic Basic 1:

This level provides an introduction to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Students learn to read and write the complete Arabic alphabet and construct basic sentences. Students will acquired some basic vocabulary and will develop oral-aural skills and learn the sounds of the Arabic language through script and simple dialogue work. By the end of the term you will be able to engage in simple conversations and read and write Arabic script. Previous Arabic not required. Basic 1 A, B, and C are identical in content.

Objective:	To introduce students to the Arabic alphabet and sound systems (Modern Standard Arabic), and to provide the student with the ability to engage in simple conversation.
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to read and write the Arabic alphabet and individual words; engage in simple conversations involving greetings/introduction of self; know general expressions and short phrases; and become familiar with the basic geography and culture of the Middle East.
Topics:	Origins, structures and countries Arabic is spoken in; differentiation between classical, Modern Standard and various colloquial dialects; phonology and alphabet; one-way connectors; short vowels; noun gender; alif maqsura and hamza; diacritical remarks; nominal sentence; assimilating and non-assimilating sounds. greetings; identifying oneself; asking about well-being.
Textbook:	Alif-Baa, $42
Lessons:	1-10, complete textbook

Basic 1A: Mondays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm
Basic 1B: Tuesdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm
Basic 1C: Saturdays: 10:00 am -12:30 pm
Accelerated Basic 1 & 2: Mondays/Wednesdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm

Arabic Basic 2:

This level is designed for students who can read and write the Arabic alphabet, construct basic sentences and are familiar with some basic vocabulary. Building on the basic foundation provided in Arabic Basic 1, students learn how to introduce themselves and to conduct simple conversations on a range of everyday subjects. Grammar points include definite and indefinite articles, the “nisba” adjective, interrogatives, pronouns, the present tense, and plural forms. By being introduced to more basic structures of the Arabic language, students learn how to construct sentences, paragraphs and dialogues for simple communication. Basic 2 A, B and C are identical in content.

Objective:	This level will provide students the opportunity to expand their understanding of reading and pronouncing Arabic script and continue to increase their conversational skills and knowledge of Arabic culture.
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to engage in conversations involving themselves and their immediate surroundings; expand their knowledge of Arabic script to include sentences and paragraphs and to gain a better understanding of Arabic culture.
Topics:	Masculine and Feminine; the definite article; the Nisba; the question; Arabic names; pronouns; plurals; nominal sentence; the Idafa; the possessive pronouns; the present tense; the verbial sentence; adverbs; noun-adjective phrases.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part One. $58
Lessons:	Chapters 1-5

Basic 2A: Mondays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm
Basic 2B: Tuesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm
Basic 2C: Saturdays: 10 am - 12:30 pm
Accelerated Basic 1 & 2: Mondays/Wednesdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm

Arabic Basic 3:

This level continues to build up necessary grammar skills that will enable students to understand, read, write and translate sentences and paragraphs. It continues to build on Basic 2 by adding vocabulary and more complex sentences. It also improves oral communication skills to satisfy everyday needs. Grammar points include adverbs, numbers, noun-adjective phrases and conditional sentences. This course is designed for students that have recently completed at least one semester of college-level Arabic. Students will learn to correctly use present, past and future tenses, along with more complex vocabulary and grammar. Basic 3 A, B and C are identical in content.

Objective:	To continue to develop students' introductory level reading, writing and oral skills in Modern Standard Arabic.
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use more complex Arabic vocabulary in dialogues; be able to correctly use present, past and future tenses; and to continue to read increasingly complex Arabic passages.
Topics:	The Masdar; asking why; prepositions with pronouns; prompted predicate; cardinal numbers 1-100; the verb “To be”; the past tense; negation of the past tense; roots and patterns; the Arabic dictionary; non-human plural agreement; asking about time; irregular verbs; prepositions and pronouns relations; object pronouns.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part One. $58
Lessons:	Chapters 6-10

Basic 3A: Mondays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm
Basic 3B: Tuesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm
Basic 3C: Saturdays: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Accelerated Basic 3 & 4: Tuesdays/Thursdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm

Arabic Basic 4:

Student will learn to read Arabic passages with greater ease, enhance your understanding of Arabic culture and engage in more sophisticated conversations using increasingly complex vocabulary and grammar. This level concentrates mainly on beefing up the communication skills following the good grammatical skills acquired in Basic 3. It also improves written skills that will encompass more complex and sophisticated paragraphs. Major points include a comprehensive review of the verb charts, descriptive narrative, and more complex grammatical structures. Basic 4 A, B and C are identical in content.

Objective:	At the end of this course, the student will improve the student's communication skills in speaking, reading, and writing Modern Standard Arabic. The goal of this semester is to successfully complete the textbook Al-Kitaab Part One.
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course, the student will read Arabic script with greater ease; increase their knowledge of Arabic culture; and engage in more sophisticated conversations using increasingly complex vocabulary and grammar.
Topics:	Nominative present; review of the verb chart; adjective sentences; quantifiers; irregular verbs; the superlative; the future; future negation; subject-verb agreement; negation of the past revisited; wish verbs; description of locations; idafa definite and indefinite; correlative names; dual verbs and pronouns.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part One. $58
Lessons:	Chapters 11-15

Basic 4A: Mondays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm
Basic 4B: Thursdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm
Basic 4C: Saturdays: 10 am -12:30 pm
Accelerated Basic 3 & 4: Tuesdays/Thursdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm

Arabic Basic 5:

Concluding the basic levels of Arabic, this course expands on oral communication while reviewing all basic skills and increases the student's ability to understand and effectively converse in Arabic. The student will be exposed to new vocabulary and most basic complex grammatical structures. This level is transitory, ending the beginning level and preparing students to enter the intermediate level by covering major grammatical requirements for a good level of writing and oral communication. Grammar points include case markings, feminine plurals and the comparative.

Objective:	To introduce students to the Arabic alphabet and sound systems (Modern Standard Arabic), and to provide the student with the ability to engage in simple conversation.
Learning Outcome:	This level seeks to provide the student with a review of all basic Arabic and an introduction to more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary in order to prepare them for the intermediate levels.
Topics:	Irregular verbs; annual calendar; the comparative; case markings; genitive, nominative, and accusative nouns; duals; colors; examples; feminine plurals; the 5 words; reading dates; the massdar as a subject.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part One. $58
Lessons:	Chapters 16-20

Basic 5: Thursdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm

Arabic Intermediate 1:

This introductory level in intermediate will cover subjects of historical and social significance to the Arab World such as Ibn Batoota’s trip, major holidays and feasts, and Arab journalism. This level will cover substantive extracts and passages that will become longer and more sophisticated than passages covered in the basic levels. This level will cover more grammatical structures built on the students’ understanding and conception of previous grammatical rules. Each chapter will expand on studying the root and patterns of the verbs, a rule covered in Basic levels, which will be expanded in this level. Intermediate 1 A, B and C are identical in content.

It will also expand on colloquial Arabic, noting the various differences of expressions between MSA and Arabic dialects.

Objective:	This level seeks to provide the student with more sophisticated reading material from in order to enhance his/her discussion and writing skills. The student will also be at ease in engaging in a day to day conversation.
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to converse more fluently using more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary, and read more sophisticated Arab texts, relying on the second part of Al-Kitaab.
Topics:	History and Arab countries; cultural discussions; study of Texts; more on verb tense: Past and Present; doubled or geminate verbs; inquiring about numbers: How many…; active participle and passive participle; dropping the “Noon” in the Idafa Structure; sisters of كان; the Idafa Structure Revisited; the Passive Voice; sisters of إنَّ: إنَّ و أنَّ و لأنَّ و لَكِنَ و كَأنَّإسم المكان "مفعل(ة);broken Plurals; noun that take special case endings.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part Two (new edition). $58
Lessons:	Chapters 1-4

Intermediate 1A: Wednesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm
Intermediate 1C: Saturdays: 10:00 -12:30 pm

Arabic Intermediate 2:

This level in intermediate will continue in covering subjects of historical and social significance to the Arab World such as major Arab figures in literatures, prominent Arab feminists and other landmarks in Arab stories and prose. This level will provide the student with the necessary skills to write a short essay of a topic of intellectual level, leading the path to proficiency in Arabic. This level will develop aural and oral skills through lengthy listening sections that would be followed with substantive discussions. It will continue to expand on colloquial Arabic.

Objective:	This level emphasizes on various subjects relevant to the Arab world, as well as an introduction to famous Arab writers, their biographies and their contributions to the field of literature. This level will continue introducing more complex grammatical structures in order to perfect the use of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course students will be converse and discuss more intellectual subjects that require the use of technical and sophisticated terms. It will also enhance the discussion skills of the students on various issues.
Topics:	Non-Actual Idafa الإضافة غير الحقيقية ; comparison of أفعل ; pattern of فُعلى; specification التمييز; plurals of النسبة; the حال clauseالإسم المنقوص; verbs with a root starting with "و"; the Imperative الأمر; the Prohibitive النَهي; the; imperative using “Let…” لِ\فَل\ + المضارع المجزوم; narration using كان و أخواتها; expression of admiration or astonishment.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part Two (new edition). $58
Lessons:	Chapters 5-7

Intermediate 2: Wednesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm

Arabic Intermediate 3:

This level completes the intermediate level and upon its completion, will propel the student to a new league in Arabic. It will continue covering subjects of historical and social significance to the Arab World but on a more sophisticated and analytical basis. The student will expand of essay writing by employing a sophisticated structure in writing. On the conversation level, the student will be able to express him or herself comfortably with the use of technical, intellectual, and structures discussions on subjects that overreach the intellectual spectrum.

Objective:	This closing intermediate level will continue to cover texts and subjects relevant to the Arab world, in which the student will develop his/ her reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Students will particularly expand on their essay writing and continue to cover more complex grammatical structures.
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to move to a more proficient level in the language. The goal is to successfully complete the Al-Kitaab, Part Two textbook.
Topics:	الوَصف بإستِخدام الحال; assimilation under the pattern إفتَعَلَما... مِن; verb Forms; negation of the; gender using لا; patterns of مفاعيل; the hollow verb; sisters of "كادَ"; weak Verbs.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part Two (new edition). $58
Lessons:	Chapters 8-10

Intermediate 3: Wednesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm

Arabic Advanced 1:

This level introduces the advanced level in Arabic. It will build on the writing and conversational skills acquired in the intermediate level to assist the student in formulating ideas, writing essay, and ideas that would be considered complicated and sophisticated. The advanced level is intended to help learners reach an advanced level of proficiency. More than fifteen authentic texts by writers from across the Arab World address a wide range of political, social, religious, and literary themes and represent a range of genres, styles, and periods. Although this level focuses on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), classical Arabic texts have been incorporated in the curriculum to introduce students to the continuity of the language throughout its history. Students will also start paying attention to the stylistic features of Arabic. This level will also begin to engage students in text translations and interpretation of conversations.

Objective:	This level will continue covering subjects of historical, political, and social relevance to the Arab world, but on a more advanced level, relying on group discussions, essay writing, class debates and critique.
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course students will be become acquainted with rich literature extracts and continue to guide them towards an advanced level of proficiency. MSA and classical Arabic will be covered relying on a plethora of texts.
Topics:	Political Discussions and writing; social Issues in the Arab World; demonstrative pronouns; hollow Verbs Revisited;المَصدَراسم الفاعِل و اسم المفعولالمَبني للمجهولAdverbs;مَعاني "ما" الإسمية و الشَرطية;الفِعل الناقِص;الجَذر الرُباعي;اسم المَفعول للفِعل الناقِص و الاسم المَقصور;numbers; synonymous couplets; five nouns revisited; conditional clause (protasis); review of verb tenses.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part Three. $58
Lessons:	Chapters 1-5

Advanced 1: Thursdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm

Arabic Advanced 2:

This level continues the advanced level in Arabic. Several texts by writers from across the Arab World address a wide range of political, social, religious, and literary themes and represent a range of genres, styles, and periods. This level will continue engaging students in text translations and interpretation of conversations. More than fifteen authentic texts by writers from across the Arab World address a wide range of political, social, religious, and literary themes and represent a range of genres, styles, and periods. Students will continue reading, analyzing, discussing, and debating these texts. By the end of this class, the student will have acquired the necessary tools to become fully proficient in the Arabic language and use it in various capabilities.

Objective:	This level will continue to cover sophisticated texts and articles that include various topics. In addition, this level will begin introducing the students to translation to English from Arabic.
Learning Outcome:	Upon successful completion of this course students will have the necessary tool to become fully proficient in the Arabic language and use it in various capabilities. The goal is to complete the Al-Kitaab, Part Three textbook.
Topics:	Political Discussions and writing; social Issues in the Arab World;"واو" المعية و المفعول به; passive voice revisited;المصدر + الفاعل + المفعول بهword derivation; patterns of feminine and masculine; colors revisited; lexical couplets; المفعول المُطلقالفاغل لاسم الفاعل او اسم المفعول او الصفة;Singular and plurals revisited.
Textbook:	Al-Kitaab, Part Three. $58
Lessons:	Chapters 6-10

Advanced 2: Thursdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm

Advanced Media Class:

This course is designed for students who have achieved an advanced level and is conducted entirely in Arabic. The students and instructor select magazine articles, videos and audio tapes for discussion to improve vocabulary and listening skills. The instructor reviews points of grammar based on student errors in speaking and writing. Students can repeat this class as curriculum and materials change from session to session.

Materials: To be chosen by instructor and students

Advanced Media: Wednesdays: 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm

Program Details

2008 Schedule:

Winter Term	Jan. 14 - Mar. 22, 2008	Deadline: Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Spring Term	Apr. 7 - June 14, 2008	Deadline: Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Summer Term	Jul. 7 - Sept. 13, 2008	Deadline: Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Fall Term	Sept. 29 - Dec. 6, 2008	Deadline: Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Tuition: $320 for one level, $640 for the accelerated class. Please click here to apply on-line.

Duration: Classes meet once weekly (or twice for the accelerated class) in the evening or on Saturday mornings for 10 weeks. Each session is 2.5 hours.

Textbooks: May be purchased at the time of registration or at the Institute before or on the first day of class.

Refunds: No refunds are issued once classes have started.

Inclement Weather: Classes are cancelled in accordance with federal government closings (not school closings!) due to inclement weather. Please check public announcements on radio, TV and the Web; or call ILI at (202) 362-2505.

Cancellation/Substitution: The International Language Institute reserves the right to cancel any class if deemed necessary. Prior to commencement of class, students will be given a full refund. In the event of cancellation after the commencement of class, the pro-rata portion of the unexpended tuition will be refunded within $5. The prorated amount of refundable monies will be determined by the ratio of classes completed to the total number of classes in the scheduled program. The International Language Institute reserves the right to assign substitute instructors whenever necessary.

Location: See address below.

Questions? Please call Francisco Todd, Foreign Language Coordinator of ILI, at 202-686-5610 extension 105.