Arabic with AMIDEAST
Arabic is a diglossic language. That is, there are two varieties of Arabic, one for reading and writing (Modern
Standard Arabic) and another for speaking (colloquial Arabic). The textbook series used in Arabic courses in all
AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World, Al Kitaab fii Taallum al Arabiyya, introduces both from
the beginning to help learn the language as its native speakers learn it. However, in the AMIDEAST programs
separate courses address two different varieties of Arabic – Modern Standard Arabic and the local dialect.
Levels
All summer Intensive Arabic and semester Area & Arabic Language Studies students enroll in Modern Standard
Arabic (5 credits) at a level appropriate to their proficiency. The following levels are offered: Beginning (Arabic
101, 102), Intermediate (Arabic 201, 202), and Advanced (Arabic 301, 302, 401). Depending on the program,
students will also take colloquial Arabic (1-3 credits).
MSA Level
Textbook
Chapters Covered
Arabic 101
Alif Baa (2nd Edition); Al-Kitaab, Book One (2nd Edition)
Chapters 1-5
Arabic 102
Al-Kitaab, Book One (2nd Edition)
Chapters 6-13
Arabic 201
Al-Kitaab, Book One (2nd Edition) and local supplementary materials
Chapters 14-20
Arabic 202
Al-Kitaab, Book Two (2nd Edition) and local supplementary materials
Chapters 1-5
Arabic 301
Al-Kitaab, Book Two (2nd Edition) and local supplementary materials
Chapters 6-10
Arabic 302
Al-Kitaab, Book Three (2nd Edition) and local supplementary materials
Chapters 1-5
Arabic 401
Teaching Materials will consist of faculty selected materials from around the N/A
Arab world. Al-Kitaab, Book Three (2nd Edition) will also be used, but not as a
primary textbook.
Placement Test
Placement tests are administered prior to departure to the host country and students are placed in the level
appropriate for their Arabic language proficiency. Because students come to AMIDEAST from a variety of Arabic
backgrounds and institutional programs, the placement test is used to put students in courses where they will
meet the right balance of being challenged while also being able to succeed. This means that the Arabic class a
student is placed in will not necessarily match with the courses they have taken previously.
Keep in mind that the material covered from level-to-level is cumulative. In other words, students will need to be
familiar with all material in past levels in order to be placed in a higher level. Please take some time to review the
chapters listed for the levels you have already covered. Is there material that your class skipped or did not focus
on? Are there areas that you struggled with or have forgotten? You should set aside some time to review any of
these problem sections in past levels so you are prepared to move up to the next level.
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Tips for Estimating the Right Level:
 Carefully read the course descriptions on the website to determine your current level of Arabic.
 If you are between levels, or you need to be in a specific level to receive credit, you should spend time
going over the chapters that need to be covered and review them.
 If you are not using Al Kitaab (using another textbook such as Ahlan wa Sahlan), you should keep in mind
that it may take you some time adjust to using the new book. If possible, you should spend some time
going over Al Kitaab vocabulary lists (which are quite different than those of other books) and any other
competencies you might have not covered.
 It is your responsibility to know what level you are required to be in to receive credit from your university.
AMIDEAST does not guarantee you will be placed in that level because placement depends solely on the
placement test.
Will I need to bring textbooks with me?
Yes. All students participating in an Area & Arabic Language Studies Program or the Intensive Arabic programs
must bring Arabic Language textbooks. It is your responsibility to estimate which MSA level you believe you will be
placed into and bring the appropriate version of Al-Kitaab fi Ta’allum Al Arabiya.
Books are notably more expensive in your host country and they are often unavailable. All students must bring the
following Arabic dictionary: Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic edited by J.M. Cowan. If you will be
taking Arabic for the first time, you must purchase and bring Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Book 1, 2nd edition with you to
your host country. If you are planning on taking Media Arabic (ARAB 215, 216, 315, or 316) you must purchase and
bring Media Arabic: A Coursebook for Reading Arabic News by Alaa Elgibali and Nevenka Korica with you.
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Website: www.amideast.org/abroad
Email: DocsEdAbroad@amideast.org