About the Program

The Zaytuna Summer Arabic Intensive is a eight-week residential Arabic language program designed for students motivated to learn Arabic for any number of reasons, such for personal enrichment, the serious study of Islam, or future academic study. Open to students of all faiths, the program offers introductory and intermediate courses, and incorporates modern standards of academic excellence and pedagogical expertise within a nourishing intellectual and spiritual environment.

Students live and learn just blocks from the historic University of California–Berkeley campus.

Designed as a rigorous language experience, the program integrates the acquisition of reading, writing, and speaking skills at an accelerated pace. In eight weeks, students acquire the equivalent of one year of university-level Arabic and meet the objectives of a ten-unit summer intensive program such as those offered at various American universities.

Classical vs. Modern Standard Arabic back to top

While Arabic is seen as a bridge to the traditional Islamic sciences, the program also approaches Arabic as a vibrant and living language. The Zaytuna Arabic Intensive does not stress a “classical vs. modern” dichotomy; instead, it focuses on the intersections and continuities between classical (fusha) Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic. Zaytuna instructors place a strong emphasis on acquiring a solid foundation in classical Arabic grammar, while simultaneously developing smooth conversational and reading skills, which are enhanced by the Arabic-only policy.

Core Courses back to top

Level 1: Elementary Arabic

Prerequisites: None, except a rudimentary familiarity with the Arabic alphabet.

Objectives: Level 1 Arabic equips students with a basic ability in Arabic reading, writing, and speaking skills while building a solid foundation in formal Arabic grammar (nahw) and morphology (sarf). From the first day, students make use of authentic written and audio Arabic materials. Students also participate in activities designed to foster confidence and comfort in Arabic-speaking settings.

Students are encouraged to progressively increase their use of Arabic—both in and outside of class—as they move through the program. In addition, students compose short essays and make brief oral presentations entirely in Arabic. Homework consists of five to six hours outside of class reviewing the day’s lessons, completing assigned exercises, and preparing for lessons, quizzes, and examinations.

Level 2: Intermediate Arabic

Prerequisites: Two or three semesters of university-level Arabic or its equivalent.

Objectives: Level 2 enhances students’ understanding of the rules of Arabic grammar and morphology, expands their vocabulary, and increases their familiarity with Arabic expressions. Homework assignments utilize authentic written and audio materials and often include speaking exercises with fellow students.

Students are expected to use Arabic both inside and outside the classroom. By the end of the course, students will be fluent in conversation and will be able to compose long essays and to make oral presentations of fifteen to twenty minutes entirely in Arabic. Homework consists of five to six hours outside of class reviewing the day’s lessons, completing assigned exercises, and preparing for lessons, quizzes, and examinations.

Textbooks back to top

Level 1 Texts

• Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds, by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi.
• Al-kitaab fii Ta'allum al-'Arabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Part One (Book and DVDs), by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi.
• Arabic-English Dictionary: The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic.

Level 2 Texts

• Al-kitaab fii Ta'allum al-'Arabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Part One (Book and DVDs), by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi.
• Al-kitaab Fii Ta'allum al-‘Arabiyya: A Textbook for Arabic, Part Two (Book and DVDs), by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi.
• Arabic-English Dictionary: The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic.

Arabic-Only Pledge back to top

Students admitted to the Zaytuna Summer Arabic Intensive will be required to sign a pledge that stipulates that Arabic will be the only language used in the classroom for instruction and conversation. Students are also strongly encouraged to incorporate Arabic into their daily lives outside of the classroom during this eight-week course.

University Credit back to top

The Zaytuna College curriculum is on par with standardized Arabic courses at major American universities. Providing eight weeks of instruction (approximately 180 to 200 contact hours), the summer program is well over the 120–180 minimum contact hours required by most universities for a full academic year (or 10 units) of language instruction. Though Zaytuna College cannot guarantee an automatic transfer of university credit (this is ultimately at the discretion of an individual university or department), we do help students meet prerequisites by issuing an official letter to their universities or institutions describing course objectives and material covered in each course.

A Typical Day in the Arabic Intensive Program back to top

Classes are capped at twenty students per section, and may be much smaller. From Monday through Thursday, classes run from approximately 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with ten-minute breaks at the fifty-minute mark (for example, 9:50 and 10:50) and an extended break in the middle of the day. The schedule is adjusted on Fridays to accommodate Jumu'a prayers.

Students are expected to spend an additional five to six hours per day outside of class reviewing the day’s lessons, memorizing new vocabulary, completing assignments, and preparing for the next day's class. Students are encouraged to use Arabic as much possible while interacting with teachers and fellow students inside and outside of class.

Zaytuna College makes necessary accommodations for the month of Ramadan for students who choose to fast and participate in early morning and late night prayers. During Ramadan, the class schedule is adjusted to suit the rhythm of the month. Students should expect community iftars on many evenings and tarawih prayers every night at local mosques.

Student Commitment back to top

Learning Arabic requires time and effort from both students and teachers; students are expected to work daily on their assignments and make memorization and review a central part of their everyday activities. Class attendance and punctuality are critical; students must come to class prepared with textbooks and homework completed. Students who come unprepared will quickly fall behind, and risk the possibility of having to drop out of the program.

All students are expected to take the program seriously and display proper manners with the teachers, fellow students, and staff. Inappropriate behavior towards teachers, fellow students, or staff will not be tolerated. General lack of commitment or breach of the student conduct policy may result in removal from the program.

Academics Phone number : 510-984-2044

• About the Program
• Classical vs. Modern Standard Arabic
• Core Courses
• Textbooks
• Arabic-Only Pledge
• University Credit
• A Typical Day in the Arabic Intensive Program
• Student Commitment