The American University in Cairo
Long Range Planning Unit Report
From The Arabic Language Institute
(ALI)
Prepared by Zeinab Ahmed Taha, Director
June 21, 2006
Introduction
The following ALI faculty participated in preparing the ALI long range plan.
They are listed alphabetically.
Ms. Jehan Allam, Foreign Students Advisor (ALNG)
Dr. Raghda El-Essawi, TAFL Director
Ms. Nevenka Korica, CASA Executive Director
Dr. Mahmoud Sami Mousa, ALNG Coordinator
Dr. Zeinab A. Taha, ALI Director
Strategic Themes and Planning Unit Assumptions and Objectives
The Arabic Language Institute is composed of four programs: the Arabic language credit
courses (ALNG), the Arabic language intensive program (ALU), the Center for Arabic
Study Abroad (CASA), and the Masters degree program in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign
Language (TAFL). While the three language programs use the same resources of space,
instructors and teaching materials, the MA program has its own faculty, but draws on
ALI resources to train fellows and fresh graduates. A program of class observation and
mentoring goes side by side with the course work of TAFL.
Although the Arabic Language Institute has been known for being one of the best places
to teach Arabic at all levels of proficiency, we feel that there is still room for
improvement. Through careful planning and allocation of resources, the Arabic Language
Institute will maintain its excellence in the field by improving its curricula to respond to
the changing needs of students, increasing its capacity so that it becomes the number one
institute in terms of the number and quality of enrolled students, and training junior
faculty to serve the field in and outside of Egypt.
Thus, the strategic themes of the ALI in the next five years are striving for academic
excellence, increasing its capacity, and expanding resources. One of the most important
challenges in this plan is the introduction of distance learning facilities. By doing this, the
ALI will be able to teach more students beyond its physical boundaries. A vast array of
instructional technology will be needed to cope with this development and to strengthen
the current programs.
The strategic plan will be under constant revision to accommodate future changes.
Unit Plan for ALI (ALNG)
Strategic Theme 1: Academic Excellence
Goal: Strengthen quality of current program
Objective (1): Restructure ALNG courses
Objective (2): Develop and update materials for study abroad students
Objective (3): Propose a new BA in Arabic Language
Outcomes
(expected results)
O.1 Catalog includes revised
description of courses
Proposed
new/changed
programs,
initiatives, &
activities
1.1 Revise all the
existing course
description and add
the necessary new
courses
2.1 Prepare new
O.2. Available courses at all levels
materials for
needed for the study abroad students advanced students
Performance Indicators
(indicate how you will
measure achievement
& outcomes)
Time Frame
(start & end dates
of new programs
& activities)
Resources
(faculty, staff, budget,
equipment-needs)

Student evaluation
AY 06-07
Budget for appointment
of a junior secretary in
AY 07-08

International
universities'
evaluation
AY 06-08
Each AY from 07-08
through AY 09-10 ½
release time for one
fulltime faculty to
prepare texts and other
materials
O.3. Available text book to teach
Arabic for heritage students
3.1 Prepare new
materials for
heritage students

Student evaluation,
enrollment
AY 06-08
O.4 New BA degree in Arabic language
4.1 Revise credit
courses to
accommodate BA
degree

Student evaluation,
student
performance
AY 06-08
One new FT
instructor will be
required to handle
the projected
ALNG student
increase from 324
(F05) to 355 (F08)
One new FT
instructor needed
to teach in the
new degree in
2008
Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA)
Goal : Enhance the overall academic quality of the program and its cultural component
Objective (1): Enhance overall quality of instruction in language and non-language courses
Objective (2): Modify present curricula goals and develop new teaching materials
Objective (3): Enhance the use of IT in curriculum
Objective (4): Develop assessment tools especially for the CASA exit exam
Outcomes
(expected results)
Proposed New / Changed Performance Indicators
(indicate how you will
Programs, Initiatives,
measure achievement of
Activities
outcomes)
O.1 Improved response to the
needs /levels of students
1.1 Develop teaching
materials for the advanced
and superior levels in both
MSA and ECA

Higher level of
proficiency attained by
CASA graduates in both
OPI and Exit proficiency
tests
Time Frame
(start and end dates
of new programs /
activities)
AY 06-07: Begin
to revise core
courses, test new
text book in MSA,
continue to write
the ECA book
Resources
(faculty, staff,
budget,
equipment,
space … needs)
½ Release time
for one full
time faculty,
AY 06-07

O.2 Expanded learning time
through technology
2.1 Develop multi media
programs to enhance
learning at the advanced
level
O.3 Enhanced ability to
provide quality instruction
3.1 Conduct periodic

teacher training workshops
for the upper levels
4.1 Develop and validate

new assessment tools for
the various skills
O.4 Improved ability of the
program to assess proficiency
level of fellows
Incorporate available
multi media material for
advanced level courses
Improved student and
program evaluations
Increased validity and
reliability of test scores
AY 07-09: Finalize
MSA and ECA books
and publish the MSA
book; continue
revision of core
courses;
begin to archive the
listening materials on
ALI server;
publish the CASA
MSA book
AY 06-09 One
workshop
every semester
AY 06-07 Exit exam
ready
½ Release time
for one full time
faculty, AY 0709
Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL)
Goal (1): Strengthen quality of current program
Goal (2): Enhance quality of TAFL graduates
Objective (I): Restructure the current program
Objective (2): Develop a screening system and mentoring for new students
Outcomes
Proposed New /
Performance
(expected results)
Changed Programs,
Indicators
(indicate how you will
Initiatives, Activities
measure achievement of
outcomes)
O.1 Wider range of
1.1 Design new courses
 New courses appear
TAFL course offerings
to specifically address
in catalog
in TAFL MA and
needs and problems of
diploma
TAFL
O.2 Improve Students’
capabilities as language
teachers
2.1 Conduct a screening 
test for new candidates
2.2 Conduct mentoring
program and

assistantships
Screening test is
designed and used
Workshops take
place every semester
Time Frame
(start and end dates of
new programs /
activities)
Resources
(faculty, staff, budget,
equipment, space …
needs)
AY 06-09
Two courses release
time for one faculty for
two semesters, AY 0609. More qualified
students enrolled in
program
If student enrollment
increases from 32 (F05)
to 48 (F08), .66 or 1
FTE assistant professor
will be required by AY
09-10
Arabic Language Unit Intensive Program (ALU)
Goal : Strengthen quality of program
Objective (1): Modify/revise current courses
Objective (2): Enhance the use of IT in curricula
Objective (3): Promote cultural competency
Outcomes
Proposed New /
(expected results)
Changed Programs,
Initiatives, Activities
O.1 Better placement of
students
1.1 Develop materials
for different levels in
both MSA and ECA
Students registered in
needed courses
More courses offered
O.2 Expand learning time
through technology
O.3 Increase cultural
awareness and
understanding
2.1 Develop multi media
programs to enhance
learning at all levels
3.1 Enhance cultural
activities in academic
program. Integrate
culture in all classes
Performance Indicators
(indicate how you will
measure achievement of
outcomes)
 Higher level of
proficiency attained
by students in exit
exam
Time Frame
(start and end dates
of new programs /
activities)
AY 06-09
Revise core courses,
test new materials,
and start outline for a
new MSA book
Resources
(faculty, staff, budget,
equipment, space …
needs)
Release time for one
full time instructor

AY 06-09
Continue revision of
core courses.
Release time for one
full time instructor
Begin archiving the
listening materials on
ALI server
Budget for
maintenance of smart
classroom and lab
equipments
Budget increase by
20 % each year for
cultural activities

Evaluation and
effectiveness of
multimedia programs
Exams and
questionnaires show
more understanding
of the host culture
AY 06-09
Strategic Theme 2: Enhance International Education (ALNG)
Goal: Expand capacity of the program
Objective: Offer Arabic to more students at different levels of proficiency
Outcomes
(expected results)
Proposed New /
Changed Programs,
Initiatives, Activities
O.1 Increased the number
of ALNG students every
semester
1.1 Convene workshops
to train new part time
faculty
Performance
Indicators
(indicate how you will
measure achievement of
outcomes)
 More students apply
to the ALU every
semester

10 % increase of
students each year

2- 3 qualified part
time teachers join the
program
Time Frame
(start and end dates of
new programs /
activities)
Resources
(faculty, staff, budget,
equipment, space … needs)
AY 06-09
Two classrooms to be added
to the ALI space
Budget for one full time
appointment every year
One workshop per
semester to train and
mentor faculty to teach
regular and video
conference courses
15% increase in workshop
budget
Teaching Arabic As a Foreign Language (TAFL)
Goal : Expand number of local and international students
Objective : Respond to the increasing demand for qualified teachers of Arabic
Outcomes
(expected results)
Proposed New /
Changed Programs,
Initiatives, Activities
Performance Indicators
(indicate how you will measure
achievement of outcomes)
O.1 More visibility for
the TAFL program
inside and outside of
Egypt
1.1 Develop a TAFL
webpage
1.2 Plan an on-line
TAFL journal.

Webpage and on-line journal
functions

Enrollment in TAFL increases
from 32 (F05) to 47 (F08)
students

TAFL graduates are able to
teach courses upon graduation
O.2 Increased numbers 2.1 Increase number of
of applications and
fellowships
enrollment
Time Frame
(start and end
dates of new
programs /
activities)
AY 06-08
Resources
(faculty, staff, budget,
equipment, space … needs)
Y8-60 YA
One additional FT
fellowship each year, from
AY 06-07-AY 09-10
Cost of on-line journal
The Arabic language Institute (ALU)
Goal : Expand capacity of the program
Objective (1): Offer Arabic to more students at different levels of proficiency
Objective (2): Establish a distance learning program
Outcomes
(expected results)
Proposed New /
Changed Programs,
Initiatives, Activities
O.1 Increased number of
ALU students every
semester
1.1 Continue with
students screening and
admissions processes at
the ALI to accept the
most feasible number
each semester
1.2 Develop the ALI
website
1.3 Convene workshops
to train new part time
faculty
1.4 Mentor TAFL
fellows by ALU faculty
Performance
Indicators
(indicate how you will
measure achievement of
outcomes)
 More students apply
to the ALU every
semester


More students are
accommodated in the
program
2-3 qualified part
time teachers join the
program
Time Frame
(start and end dates of
new programs /
activities)
Resources
(faculty, staff, budget,
equipment, space … needs)
AY 06-07:
15 % increase in
students enrolled each
semester.
Two classrooms to be added
to the ALI space.
AY 07-08:
Increase number of
students by 10% more
One workshop per
semester to train and
mentor faculty to teach
regular and video
conference courses
Budget for one full time
appointment in AY 07-08
Resources for website
development
15% increase in workshop
budget
If number of students
increases from 95 (F05) to
135 (F08), 3 more FTE
instructors will be required
O.2 ALI teaches first
year Arabic via video
conference
2.1 Buy necessary
software for distance
learning (DL) courses


DL courses offered
Student and faculty
evaluations
AY 06-07
Design first year Arabic
course for distance
learning (DL), and teach
it on pilot basis
Budget for more DL
software and equipment
Advertise the DL course
on the ALI website
CLT provide two technical
assistants
AY 07-09
Revise the course and
begin teaching it for
wider audience
1 FTE faculty appointed for
DL program
ENROLLMENT PATTERNS AND PROJECTIONS FOR
Arabic Language Institute
Note the following:
 Unduplicated headcount enrollments (each student counted once)
 Dual majors counted only in primary major
 A student enrolled in both a master’s program and a graduate diploma counted only in the
master’s program
Fall Semester Census Day Enrollments
Programs
ALNG Program (AUC
credit courses)
From Fall Census Day
Information (See “The
AUC Profile” or contact
the IPART office)
Enrollment Projections:
(Projected fall semester enrollments)
2003 2004
196 272
2005
324
2006
340
2007
340
2008
355
ALU
Non-Credit
Intensive Program
73
104
87*
125
130
135
CASA Program
HUSS Special Status
Enrollments:
26
83
28
84
32
96
48
48
48
TAFL Program
Graduate Enrollments:
29
115
29
119
37
132
42
45
47
* IPART number. The actual number is approximately 110.
2009
2010