Arabic

Arabic SLI 2026 - Level 2 - Online

The University of Virginia Arabic Program is pleased to announce its intensive summer language program offered through the Summer Language Institute. This summer we are offering Arabic Level Two online. Arabic Level Two students will learn the equivalent of two semesters of Intermediate Arabic (8 credits) plus an introduction to Levantine Colloquial (1 credit), for a total of 9 credits.

To attend Arabic Level 2, students must test out of ARAB 1020 (ARAB 1026) or its equivalent through a placement test after submitting their application. For more information about this requirement, please contact the program director, Bilal Humeidan, at bah7n@virginia.edu.

Why Study Arabic?

Studying Arabic at the University of Virginia will give you the ability to communicate with more than 330 million people in the world and prepare you for an adventure of discovery in the Arab world—a cradle of civilization and birthplace of monotheistic religions. The Arabic language also unlocks the door to a wealth of diverse literature (including fiction, science, philosophy, and religion) composed over the past 16 centuries. Unlike most modern languages, after completing 200-level courses, you will be able to access texts dating back a millennium and a half!

Unlike most summer Arabic programs, which focus exclusively on Modern Standard Arabic, the Arabic SLI combines instruction in Classical Arabic and Colloquial Levantine. This innovative curriculum is based on the belief that colloquial and classical studies are mutually reinforcing. That is, the study of colloquial at once promotes a deeper understanding of classical and unlocks the subtle layers of cultural meaning that permeate everyday life in the Arabic-speaking world.

Whether you aspire to study Arabic for work in government and NGOs, or for higher studies in literature, religion, and political science, or simply for your own personal fulfillment, the SLI will equip you with the language skills and cultural knowledge you'll need.

Level 2 - Online - 9 credits - ARAB 2016, ARAB 2026 and ARAB 2256 (Colloquial I), ARAB 2266 (Colloquial II): 

This course will focus on mastering grammar, including more complex structures, acquiring and expanding vocabulary, and developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through presentations and interviews. These objectives are achieved through intensive oral/aural practice using audio and video materials. In addition to working on all language skills, special attention will be given to Arabic morphology and syntax. Classes will be conducted ONLY in Arabic unless an exception occurs. The course also intends to introduce students to the Levantine colloquial Arabic variety by focusing on basic vocabulary and expressions used in daily life. 

Students will be able to: 

• Understand longer stretches of connected discourse on several topics spanning different times and places. 
• Speak about themselves and their environment, carry out transactions, and initiate and sustain conversations on several topics. 
• Employ more complex vocabulary and sentence patterns in communicative contexts. 
• Form and understand almost all basic sentence structures of Arabic.  
• Produce lengthier pieces of writing, in correct simple structures, that seek out and convey information and feelings, referring to recent experiences or future, as well as to everyday activities; and 
• Identify, describe, and explain aspects of the culture, behavior patterns, history and traditions of the Arabic world. 

What students say about Arabic SLI: 

"I loved the program. I felt like I absorbed a lot of new material and was able to advance my understanding of Arabic. The professors were fantastic. They were very organized, attentive and energetic and seemed to truly care about our progress with the language."

Required Textbook: 

Brustad, K., al-Batal, M., & al-Tonsi, A. (2004). Al-Kitaab fii Ta’allum al-‘Arabiyya, Part I, Second Edition. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press. 

Tentative Daily Schedule:

The program meets five days a week.

Morning Session: 10:00 am - 12:15 pm

Afternoon Session: 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm

Check all the available options before applying

Students are strongly encouraged to register for the full 8-week program and complete the intermediate level. The option to apply for either the first or second half is also available. The table below provides information on the available options.

2026 Costs

All students in SLI programs (including the non-credit option) must pay:

• • Institute Fee - non-refundable: $60
  • Comprehensive Fee - non-refundable: $493 (In-State) - $553 (Out-of-State)
  • Tuition: Depends on the number of credits for which the student is enrolled. Check tuition costs below the SLI Program Fee, and contact us at vera.abbate@virginia.edu with any questions.

This is not a residential program. For information on housing and meal plans, please refer to the following resources:

• • For housing costs, see Summer Session Housing.
  • For meal plan options, see Dining.

Contact Information: 

Department of Middle East and South Asian Languages and Cultures