Modern Standard Arabic
This program consists of nine levels ranging from “beginner” to “advanced” and corresponds to a standard three-year university-level series of courses. We had been using standard Arabic textbooks (namely the Al-Kitab Al-Asasi and Al-Kitab fi Talum Al-Arabia series) supplemented with our own textbooks, computer programs, and other audiovisual aids. But, by the beginning of 2014, we have been using our developed textbooks of Kitab Assalaamu Alaykum (9 textbooks) covering the 9 levels of MSA program.
If you come to join this program and have already taken some Arabic courses, we will give you an initial placement exam to assess your background and place you at the appropriate level of study. Also, if you are currently studying Arabic at a university, we can adjust the private courses (textbooks etc.) to fit your requirements and ensure a smooth transition between your studies of Arabic here in Yemen and in your home country.
We have found that most students who join this program and have studied Arabic in the past are relatively stronger in reading and grammar than they are in speaking and writing. To address this issue, we have developed two supplemental series of textbooks: one focused on reading and grammar, the second on speaking and writing. A student uses both textbooks but with more attention and time with the textbook related to the student’s weaker skill set, allowing us to focus on these skills (without forgetting the others of course), and thereby helping you to become a first-class Arabic speaker in all the important language skills.
We monitor each student’s progress through weekly assignments and quizzes as well as written and verbal exams at the middle and end of each level to ensure that any areas of weakness are caught. Passing the final exam at the end of each level is required to move on to the next level.
At the end of each level, a certificate will be awarded with a mark of either “distinction”, “very good”, “good”, or “pass”. The overall grade is dependent upon the following factors: attendance (15%), mid-term exam (20%), assignments (15%) and final exam (50%).
The following table summarizes the skills to be learned at each of the 9 levels:
Beginner (Levels 1-3)
Level 1 (Novice-Low)
Memorization of the alphabet and proper pronunciation of all letters. Comprehension of basic Arabic instruction in the classroom. Ability to engage in some simple conversations of 2-3 exchanges revolving around daily life. Ability to read and write simple words and use them in simple sentences.
Level 2 (Novice-Mid)
Comprehension of a wider range of sentences and questions revolving around daily life. Ability to express oneself by producing simple questions and answers. Ability to describe people, places, and things. Ability to ask for permission, requests, or help.
Level 3 (Novice-High)
Comprehension of paragraphs including instructions, messages, and conversations at a decent pace. Ability to answer personal questions about likes and dislikes, feelings, wants, etc. Begin to formulate vocabulary that is not dictated by the instructor.
Intermediate (Levels 4-6)
Level 4 (Intermediate-Low)
Comprehension of both oral and written passages at normal speed. Ability to engage in simple oral or written conversations. Comprehension of some written texts, including short stories.
Level 5 (Intermediate-Mid)
Ability to communicate experiences, plans, daily activities, hobbies, and opinions. Ability to read texts with comprehension about past, present, or future events and to understand simple extracts from newspapers or TV. Ability to compose simple paragraphs using memorized vocabulary and dictionaries.
Level 6 (Intermediate-High)
Comprehension of spoken or written prose. Development of ability to express events or experiences in different tenses; should be easily understood. Ability to use descriptive language to write about events.
Advanced (Levels 7-9)
Level 7 (Advanced)
Comprehension of Arabic at normal speed including short news from newspapers, radio, or TV. Ability to participate orally in debates on subjective or objective topics. Comprehension and production of short stories.
Level 8 (Advanced Plus)
Comprehension of news, interviews, and films and the feelings and emotions behind the language. Ability to discuss facts, ideas, and experiences.
Level 9 (Superior)
Ability to express facts and comprehend literature. Ability to discuss a wide range of topics both factual and fictional.
MSA Six-Month Diploma
This course is designed to cover Beginner and Intermediate stages of MSA program continuously without breaks. By the end of the MSA Six-Month Diploma, students will be able to comprehend spoken and written prose, develop their ability to express orally events and experience in different tenses, and they become easily understood, and able to write descriptive language on the level of simple article compound of few paragraphs. Students should study 6 months intensively, continuously, and succeed in both the achievements exams of the 6 courses of the Diploma course, and pass the final comprehensive Diploma exam. Final result is calculated on the basis of 50% of the cumulative results of the 6 courses, and 50% of the final comprehensive Diploma exam. Successful students get the Diploma Certificate with a detailed transcript.
MSA One-Year Diploma
This course is designed to cover the whole of MSA program of the 9 levels continuously without breaks. By the end of the MSA One-Year Diploma, students will be able to express facts and comprehend literature. They will be able to discuss a wide range of topics both factual and fictional. In brief they will be able to understand with ease virtually everything heard or read, and are able to summarize information from different spoken and written resources among of which media, and will be able to express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations. Students should study one year intensively, continuously, and succeed in both the achievements exams of the 9 courses of the Diploma course, and pass the final comprehensive Diploma exam. Final result is calculated on the basis of 50% of the cumulative results of the 9 courses, and 50% of the final comprehensive Diploma exam. Successful students get the Diploma Certificate with a detailed transcript.