Arabic for Beginners

Source: https://www.aucegypt.edu/academics/summeratauc/college-bound/arabic-for-beginners Parent: https://www.aucegypt.edu/academics/summeratauc/college-bound

Learning new languages opens up opportunities in life, giving you a new view of the world and a wide range of learning experiences. Join us in this intensive language immersion course, where you will develop beginning Arabic language skills in an authentic setting. Your learning will extend to the streets of the magical, culturally rich and ancient city of Cairo. This course will teach you the essential skills for daily communication and interactions in Arabic and a brief introduction to the Arabic alphabet. Through hands-on learning and integrated day trips around the city of Cairo, you will practice the Arabic learned in class while experiencing the distinctive sights and flavors of the city.

Learning Outcomes

Reading and Listening

Interpret familiar words and phrases in familiar contexts such as product labels, inventories and shopping lists
Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of simple and short texts related to everyday familiar contexts
Demonstrate understanding of the general meaning of short, simple and clearly articulated spoken Modern Standard Arabic conversation and monologues on topics such as personal information, family and routines
Identify names of items and simple descriptions when listening to clear Modern Standard Arabic input in familiar and everyday situations, such as airport announcements and weather forecasts
Demonstrate understanding of the general meaning of simple news in media and express common news in simple expressions

Speaking and Writing

Exchange personal information
Understand and give simple instructions
Exchange information about places and events
Describe places, objects and people
Write a short and simple description of pictures of persons and things
Write simple messages
Demonstrate understanding of the general meaning of simple news in newspapers\

Duration and Location

July 26 - August 13, 2026
Application Deadline: One week before the course starts
Sessions will run daily from 9 am to 3 pm
AUC New Cairo campus
Fridays and Saturdays off\

Apply Now

Fees

$1,500 (price including field trips) - This amount is equivalent to half the price of a regular undergraduate course.
10% discount offered for siblings, AUC faculty, staff, and alumni.
Egyptian students can pay the equivalent amount in Egyptian pounds.\

Current AUC Equivalent

This course is required for students who have not completed Thanawiyya Amma Arabic by the time of their admission to AUC. It also serves international students interested in learning new languages.

Note: Program requirements may change by the time the student applies to AUC. If this course is no longer a requirement for the major, it will be counted as an elective course.\

Course Transfer

Upon taking this course, you will receive a certificate of completion from AUC.
The course is equivalent to 3 credit hours. Only students who pass the course will be able to transfer these 3 credits when they enroll at AUC. In case of transferring the course to other universities, their transfer assessments will apply. \

Requirements

A copy of your report card for the past two years of school.
A recommendation letter from a high-school teacher within the past academic year, if available.\

Transportation

The AUC Bus Service is available for extra fees. Details on the schedule will be shared before the program’s start date.

Accommodation

Accommodation is offered at the University Residences in case needed.

About the Instructor

Saeed Alwakeel

Saeed Alwakeel is an Arabic language and literature professor at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University. He worked as the vice dean for graduate studies and research at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University (2015-2017). He has been teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language since 1993. Alwakeel has published many books and collections of poems, including Mastering Arabic through Literature: Vol. 1 Short Stories, Vol. 2 Dramawith the AUC Press in 2014 and 2015, respectively, as well as Analyzing the Narrative Text. Egyptian Book Organizationin 1998, The Body in Contemporary Arabic Novels: Critical Writings Series in 2004 and What Laila Said to Her Infatuated Lover in 2000.

AUC Refund Policy

A 100% refund of the program fees will be granted if the request is submitted at least two weeks before the course start date, or if the request is due to one of the following reasons:

Course cancellation
Medical withdrawal
Visa denial

A 75% refund will be granted if the request is submitted within the last two weeks before the course start date.

No refund will be issued if the request is submitted after the end of the last working day (4 pm) and before classes begin, including the weekend prior to the course start date, or after the course has begun.\