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Arabic Language Institute
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Professor: El S. Badawi (Director, Arabic Language Institute)
Associate Professor: A. El Gibali (Director, TAFL Program)
Interest in the Arabic language has increased greatly throughout the world. With this has come a demand for professionals trained in the field. Based on modern theory and practice, the master's degree and the diploma programs in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL) are especially designed to meet this need.
Master of Arts
The master's degree requires two years' residence and covers the following areas: linguistics, contrastive analysis in second-language teaching and learning, and methods of teaching foreign languages. In addition, practice teaching is required. The courses have been structured to promote research as well as to develop highly trained teachers. In addition, a number of issues related to the role of Arabic in modern society are freshly examined, such as current methods of teaching Arabic to children, reform of the writing system, grammar reform movements, and the problem of diglossia. The TAFL program seeks to inspire new approaches to these problems.
Admission
Applicants for the master of arts degree in TAFL should hold a bachelor of arts degree specializing in Arabic language, Islamic studies, Middle East area studies, or a modern language. Applicants should also meet general university admission requirements. Applicants with undergraduate specialization in a modern language other than Arabic must take a number of additional courses in the field of Arabic studies. Applicants for the master of arts degree in TAFL should have teaching experience prior to admission into the program or must acquire this experience concurrently with the program.
Language
Non-native speakers of Arabic and holders of degrees other than Arabic language or Islamic studies must demonstrate in an examination that their proficiency in Arabic is adequate for study in the program. The level of language proficiency required for admission is not less than the level Superior as specified by the guidelines of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Those with less but showing exceptional promise may be recommended for AUC preparatory training for a period not to exceed one year.
An applicant who is not a native speaker of English must have sufficient command of English to qualify for admission as an AUC graduate student. Those with less but showing exceptional promise may be recommended for AUC preparatory training for a period not to exceed one year.
Courses
A minimum of 30 graduate credit hours and a thesis are required except as indicated in the "Thesis" section below. Required of all students:
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