Study Arabic in New York

Date: January 21 to May 2, 2025

Join us and unlock a world of opportunity through Arabic language learning!

The LAU’s SINARC Arabic Language and Culture Program is designed to help students improve their Arabic proficiency through a combination of classroom instruction, authentic materials, and extracurricular activities. The program also has a tailor-made approach, which allows students to shape their curriculum based on individual interests. Overall, the program aims to develop students who can not only speak Arabic proficiently but also understand Arabic culture.

LAU’s SINARC Arabic Language Program in New York

Established in January 2014, SINARC offers a comprehensive Arabic language learning experience at our New York Headquarters and Academic Center in Manhattan. We cater to all levels, from complete beginners to advanced learners, including those interested in the Levantine dialect.

Experienced Instructors & Flexible Learning:

Our native Arabic-speaking instructors, with extensive teaching experience, specialize in developing your reading, writing, and conversation skills. Classes are conveniently offered evenings and weekends to accommodate busy schedules. Credits earned can be transferred to your home institution. We’ve welcomed students from Columbia University, New York University, CUNY, and more.

Our Programs:

• Modern Standard Arabic
• Levantine Dialect Arabic (optional)
• Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Levels
• Evening and Weekend Classes
• Credit and Non-Credit Options
• Extracurricular Activities (cultural immersion opportunities)

Affordable Rates & Personalized Approach:

We offer competitive rates for both individual and group classes, catering to your specific needs and goals.

Schedule

Please note: Course offerings may vary depending on enrollment.

Courses 

This term, we’re only offering MSA Elementary II. To enroll, you’ll need to have completed either MSA Elementary I or the Online Arabic for Beginners - Level 1 course.

 Course Information:

For a complete course description and enrollment instructions, please visit the Lebanese American University Online Programs website: https://online.lau.edu.lb/programs/

Courses will be offered based on the number of enrolled students. 

Short Placement Tests will be e-mailed to students upon receiving their applications to help determine the classes they will join. This student placement is however preliminary and may be adjusted after students meet with their instructors on their first day of classes.

Formal instruction in language is enriched by immersion in an authentic cultural context. Cultural activities include lectures on topics related to Arab and Lebanese politics, history, society, and culture, as well as documentaries on certain historical sites and events in Lebanon.

Course description

Elementary I Modern Standard Arabic – Part A (3 credits) 

This elementary course is designed for students who have no knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic. It offers a unique opportunity for descendants of Arabic- speakers to revive their lost language and cultural ties with their ancestors’ land. The course is open to the general public, students of Middle Eastern studies, business people, embassy officials and children of foreign nationals stationed in the Middle East. In this course, Arabic language instruction aims for basic proficiency in the four language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. By the end of the course, students are able to handle basic daily life situations.

Elementary I Modern Standard Arabic – Part B (3 credits) 

This course is a continuation of SIN 101A. It is designed for students who have knowledge od the alphabet and very basic grammar. By the end of the course, students are able to handle many daily life situations, such as identifying the self and others, naming familiar objects and people, telling time, asking for directions, describing places of residence and national origins, ordering food and drink.

Elementary II Modern Standard Arabic – Part A (3 credits) 

Students must have completed approximately one semester of Arabic (or the equivalent) to be able to join this class. They must have the ability to read and write using Arabic script, have a limited working vocabulary and a basic understanding of sentence structure and other basic grammatical concepts. This course is a continuation of Elementary Arabic and expands on all four skills of language learning; reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Elementary II Modern Standard Arabic – Part B (3 credits) 

Students must have completed approximately one semester of Arabic (or the equivalent) to be able to join this class. They must have the ability to read and write using Arabic script, have a limited working vocabulary and a basic understanding of sentence structure and other basic grammatical concepts. This course is a continuation of Elementary Arabic and expands on all four skills of language learning; reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Intermediate I Modern Standard Arabic – Part A (3 credits) 

Students placed in the intermediate level should have taken at least one year of Arabic in college (or the equivalent), and have acquired a basic knowledge of the structure of Modern Standard Arabic. This course aims at enabling students to read, write, speak, and listen at a competency level equivalent to intermediate-mid on the ACTFL scale. Classroom instruction focuses on basic Arabic morphology, syntax and vocabulary building, as well as on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students are asked to comment on most daily-life situations, write descriptions and argumentation and read a variety of styles.

Intermediate I Modern Standard Arabic – Part B (3 credits) 

Students placed in the intermediate level should have taken at least one year of Arabic in college (or the equivalent), and have acquired a basic knowledge of the structure of Modern Standard Arabic. This course aims at enabling students to read, write, speak, and listen at a competency level equivalent to intermediate-mid on the ACTFL scale. Classroom instruction focuses on basic Arabic morphology, syntax and vocabulary building, as well as on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students are asked to comment on most daily-life situations, write descriptions and argumentation and read a variety of styles.

Intermediate II Modern Standard Arabic – Part A (3 credits) 

This course is a continuation of Intermediate Arabic I and expands on students’ acquisition of vocabulary and grammar skills. At the end of this course, students will be able to read longer authentic Arabic texts with greater ease. They will be able to write short essays and give short presentations.

Intermediate II Modern Standard Arabic – Part B (3 credits) 

This course is a continuation of Intermediate Arabic I and expands on students’ acquisition of vocabulary and grammar skills. At the end of this course, students will be able to read longer authentic Arabic texts with greater ease. They will be able to write short essays and give short presentations.

Advanced Modern Standard Arabic (3 credits) 

Students placed in the advanced level should have completed the equivalent of two or more years of Arabic in college. They will have acquired a broad vocabulary and mastered basic Arabic syntax and morphology. Class sessions aim to help students attain proficiency in expository and argumentative discourse and handle a variety of communicative tasks.

Advanced Modern Standard Arabic (3 credits) 

Students placed in the advanced level should have completed the equivalent of two or more years of Arabic in college. They will have acquired a broad vocabulary and mastered basic Arabic syntax and morphology. Class sessions aim to help students attain proficiency in expository and argumentative discourse and handle a variety of communicative tasks.

Lebanese Dialect I (3 credits) 

Students placed in this level have no previous knowledge of the dialect. The aim of this course is to provide students of Modern Standard Arabic with an opportunity to learn the basics of the Lebanese dialect. Students in this level will learn to communicate with native speakers in various daily situations.

Lebanese Dialect, Level II (3 credits) 

This course is designed for students who have had some exposure to the Lebanese dialect. The classes will enable students to practice their speaking skills and improve their pronunciation and fluency. Students will converse on topics using description, narration and argumentation.

Costs

Refund Clause: Please note that there will be no refunds on program fees after the start of the session, unless the university cancels the program for unforeseen reasons.

Instructors

Firas Sulaiman: Firas, a native Arabic speaker originally from Syria, brings 14 years of experience teaching Arabic at New York City institutions to the classroom. He’s passionate about helping students master both Modern Standard Arabic and the Levantine dialect, finding great satisfaction in their progress. Beyond the classroom, Firas is an accomplished poet whose work, published in six Arabic poetry collections and a short story collection, has been translated into multiple languages including English, Swedish, French, Romanian, Spanish, and Croatian.