Academic Program
About the Program
The Zaytuna Summer Arabic Intensive provides introductory- and intermediate-level students with a rigorous, complete-immersion language experience in an Arabic-only environment, integrating the acquisition of listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills at an accelerated pace. By the end of the program, which is based on a communicative approach to studying Arabic, introductory students who have successfully completed all requirements will be qualified to enroll in a second-year university Arabic course. Intermediate students who have completed all requirements will be qualified to take advanced-level courses.
The Zaytuna Summer Arabic Intensive is designed to meet the objectives of ten-unit summer intensives offered at various American universities. As one of the few academic-centered Arabic intensives offered by a Muslim seminary in North America, the program also offers students optional instruction in Qur’anic recitation (tajweed) and memorization (hifz). Additional features include convenient and secure housing within walking distance to classes and an exclusive guest lecture series by established scholars of Arabic and Islamic studies.
Our Methodology
While viewing Arabic as a bridge to the Islamic sciences, our program also approaches Arabic as a vibrant and living language, using an integrated approach that emphasizes a well-rounded knowledge of the skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The Zaytuna Arabic Intensive conscientiously does not stress a "classical vs. modern" dichotomy; instead, it focuses on the intersections and continuities between classical (fus'ha) Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic. Though our training places a strong emphasis on acquiring a solid foundation in classical Arabic grammar, this is not at the expense of developing smooth conversation and reading skills. Heavy emphasis is placed on building students’ speaking abilities, and the Arabic-Only Immersion Policy is geared towards this objective.
Core Courses
LEVEL 1: ELEMENTARY ARABIC
(8 weeks, June 23 - August 15, 2008)
Prerequisites:
For individuals with little or no prior knowledge of formal Arabic.
Objectives:
The goal of Level 1 is to equip students with a basic knowledge of Arabic reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills while building a solid foundation in formal Arabic grammar (nahu) and morphology (sarf). From day one, Level 1 students make use of authentic Arabic reading and listening materials. Students also participate in interactive activities designed to foster confidence and comfort in the program and other Arabic-speaking settings. Supplemental reading assignments from classical Islamic sources, such as Imam al-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth, are also a feature of this level.
At the beginning of the course, Level 1 students sign a Partial Immersion Pledge allowing for limited use of English in class. Midway through the program, students abide by the Full Arabic-Only Immersion Pledge that applies to the classroom and daily life with fellow students. In addition, students compose short essays and make brief oral presentations entirely in Arabic. Homework consists of six to eight hours outside of class reviewing the day’s lessons; completing assigned exercises; and preparing for future lessons, quizzes, and examinations.
LEVEL 2: INTERMEDIATE ARABIC
(8 weeks, June 23 - August 15, 2008)
Note: The availability of this course is subject to demand.
Prerequisites:
For students with two or three semesters of university-level Arabic or students with more than three semesters who have been away from the language for some time. Students at this level must have a basic knowledge of Arabic grammar, Morphology, syntax and the ability to sustain an introductory conversation in formal Arabic.
Objectives:
Level 2 is designed to enhance students' understanding of the rules of Arabic grammar and morphology, to expand their vocabulary, and to increase their familiarity with Arabic expressions for the purpose of confident and comfortable communication in diverse topics and situations. Homework assignments involve authentic reading, writing, and listening materials and often include speaking exercises with fellow students. Supplemental Islamic texts such as Juz 'Aama of the Qur’an and selected Hadeeth collections are also featured at this level.
From the first day, Level 2 students are expected to abide by a Full Arabic-Only Immersion Pledge inside and outside the classroom. By the end of the course, students at the intermediate level are expected to sustain advanced or high-intermediate conversations, compose long essays, and make oral presentations of fifteen to twenty minutes entirely in Arabic. Homework consists of six to eight hours outside of class reviewing the day’s lessons; completing assigned exercises; and preparing for future lessons, quizzes, and examinations.
Supplementary Courses
As one of the few academic-centered Arabic intensives offered by a Muslim seminary in North America, the Zaytuna Summer Arabic Intensive program also offers students optional instruction in Qur’anic recitation (tajweed) and memorization (hifz). These courses are available for additional cost and subject to demand.
Tajweed– Recitation of Qur'an (schedule TBA)
An introduction to the rules and essentials of Qur'anic recitation. This course will assist students in the important work of refining their pronunciation and proper recitation of the most perfect of speech, the Holy Qur'an.
Hifz – Memorization of Qur’an (Schedule TBA)
Historically, the first education that young Muslims received was often in the memorization of the Qur'an. In a spirit of preserving this sacred tradition, the Zaytuna Summer Arabic Intensive is offering Qur'anic memorization courses as an optional supplement to the core Arabic courses. The focus of this course is on instilling in students love of the Qur'an as well as inculcating self-discipline and respect for this time-honored and blessed tradition.
Textbooks
The following texts are required and will be distributed at the mandatory Orientation Session on Sunday, June 22, 2008. The costs of books are included in tuition price.
LEVEL 1 TEXTS
Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds, by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi
Al-kitaab fii Ta'allum Al-'Arabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Part One (Book and DVDs), by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi
Arabic for English-Speaking Students, by Muhammad Abdul-Rauf
Arabic-English Dictionary: The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic
LEVEL 2 TEXTS
Al-kitaab fii Ta'allum Al-'Arabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Part One (Book and DVDs), by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi
Al-kitaab Fii Ta'allum Al-‘Arabiyya: A Textbook for Arabic, Part Two (Book and DVDs), by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi
Arabic for English-Speaking Students, by Muhammad Abdul-Rauf
Arabic-English Dictionary: The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic
University Credit
The Zaytuna Summer Arabic Intensive recognizes that, after completing the summer program, many students will return to their home universities or colleges desiring to continue their Arabic studies. In order to facilitate continuity in their Arabic studies and a smooth transition without curriculum disruptions, Zaytuna has designed a curriculum that is on par with standardized Arabic teaching at American universities. Providing eight weeks of instruction (approximately 192 contact hours), Zaytuna's Summer Arabic Intensive is well over the 120-180 minimum contact hours required by most universities for a full academic year’s worth of language instruction. We therefore anticipate our summer intensive to be recognized by universities as the equivalent of a ten-unit/credit intensive Arabic language course. Though Zaytuna Institute cannot guarantee an automatic transfer of university credit (this is ultimately at the discretion of the student's university or department), we can help students meet prerequisites by issuing an official letter to their universities or institutions describing course objectives and material covered in each course.
A Typical Day in the Zaytuna Summer Arabic Intensive
Classes are capped at twenty students per section. From Monday through Thursday, classes run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with ten-minute breaks at the fifty-minute mark (i.e., 9:50 and 10:50). There is an extended thirty-minute break from noon to 12:30 p.m. The last class of the day, Arabic Grammar, runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. and brings together all of the sections in one large classroom for specialized instruction using Muhammad Abdul-Rauf's text Arabic for English-Speaking Students. Classes on Friday are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Students are expected to spend an additional six to eight hours per day outside of class reviewing the day’s lessons, memorizing new vocabulary, completing assignments, and preparing for the next day's class. This is all in addition to upholding the Arabic-Only immersion pledge while interacting with teachers and fellow students outside of class.
Student Commitment
All students are expected to take the program seriously and to display proper manners with the teachers, fellow students, staff, and the facilities provided by Zaytuna Institute. Students who opt for the supplementary religious instruction are expected to approach the Qur'an and other religious texts with proper manners. In addition, as learning Arabic requires time and effort from both student and teacher, students are expected to work daily on their assignments and make memorization and review a central part of their everyday activities. Students are expected to come to every class session on time with all assignments completed and with their textbooks and materials. Students who come unprepared will find themselves quickly falling behind, such that dropping from the program becomes a very real possibility.
Inappropriate behavior towards teachers, fellow students, or staff will not be tolerated. General lack of commitment or breach of the student conduct policy may result in removal from the program.
