Methodology

Experienced instructors have commented that English-speaking students studying Arabic on their own tend to overdo grammar and leave conversational, listening, and writing skills underdeveloped, resulting in large gaps in language acquisition; after years of study, a student may know the intricacies of i’rab (grammatical inflection), but not have enough practiced vocabulary to read a simple novel or converse comfortably for more than a few minutes.

The Qasid Institute’s methodology rejects this limiting approach, instead emphasizing well-roundedness without sacrificing detail. Proficiency is taught through a carefully selected combination of reading, listening, writing, and conversation exercises. Our instructors have several decades of combined experience in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, and will work with students to fill the gaps that remain in their language acquisition.

Each class meets four hours per day, five days per week, over the course of nine weeks (summer session), and three hours per day, five days per week over the course of twelve weeks (fall, winter, and spring sessions). Classes are conducted in a comfortable, institute setting that includes natural lighting, a desirable teacher to student ratio, and purposefully configured seating and tables ideal for interactive dialogue. Every student, whether in level one or five, is encouraged and expected to regularly participate in class, and may inquire about joining extra curricular activities as well. Adhering to these learning fundamentals, the program places a special emphasis on developing a student’s ability to converse in Arabic.

The Academic Program is divided into two tracks, Classical and Modern Standard. Incoming students have the option to apply to either, both of which provide training at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.