Course Catalog/Description

This course is designed to help students learn the fundamentals of the Arabic language, including the alphabet, the pronunciation of Arabic letters, essential vocabulary words, sentences, and common phrases. Students will conduct short conversations based on questions and answers, practice their listening skills, and learn basic grammar to give them a foundation for understanding the language and communicating in Arabic.

This course is best suited for students who do not have a working understanding of the language (i.e. cannot speak, read or write or barely do so).

The textbooks and DVDs will also introduce a cultural and colloquial section which includes conversations mainly in the Egyptian dialect which will be complimented by the Levantine dialect in the class.

Textbook: ALIF BAA with DVDs: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds (with DVDs)
Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, Abbas Al-Tonsi
Second Edition (August 2004)

Prerequisites: None

This course is designed for students who are already familiar with the fundamentals of the Arabic language (as covered in Arabic I). The course will help students develop a more rigorous understanding of Arabic grammar and will allow them to expand their vocabulary and improve their reading and oral skills.

This course is best suited for students who have a basic understanding of the language (ie. can speak Arabic but are not fluent, and can read and write at a basic level).

The textbooks and DVDs will also introduce a cultural and colloquial section which includes conversations mainly in the Egyptian dialect which will be complimented by the Levantine dialect in the class.

Textbook: AL-KITAAB FII TA'ALLUM AL ARABIYYA: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic (with DVDs)
Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, Abbas Al-Tonsi
Second Edition (September 2004)

Prerequisites: Arabic I (beginners) or equivalent knowledge


To Register, please email NYarabicclass@naaponline.org

Arabic III (Intermediate II)
Instructor: Professor Karam Tannous

This course is an ideal follow-up course for students who have completed Arabic II (Intermediate I). It tailors to students who are fairly familiar with the fundamentals of the Arabic language (to the extent covered in Arabic I and II). The course will help students develop a more rigorous understanding of Arabic grammar and will allow them to expand their vocabulary and improve their reading and oral skills.
The textbooks and DVDs will also introduce a cultural and colloquial section which includes conversations mainly in the Egyptian dialect which will be complimented by the Levantine dialect in the class.

Textbook: AL-KITAAB FII TA'ALLUM AL ARABIYYA: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic (with DVDs)
Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, Abbas Al-Tonsi
Second Edition (September 2004)

Prerequisites: Arabic I and Arabic II or equivalent knowledge

Instructor's Bio: Karam Tannous
Karam Tannous, B.A., M.A, instructor, Professional & Continuing Studies NYU, New School,Seton Hall Univ., NAAP, Alwan For the Arts, Hunter College, Private groups of various levels; Taught colloquial Arabic at Berlitz International, Rennert and other schools; Had developed Arabic teaching programs at Alwan for the Arts, NAAP, Baruch College, CityTech College and Stuyvesant High School; Certified bilingual teacher by the Board of Education; NY State licensed translator and interpreter; Rendered translation services to NBC, MSNBC, NY Times and Michael Moore's film "Fehrenheit 9/11" and "Sons of Sakhnin"; Edited the English-Arabic Oxford Picture Dictionary; implemented an after-school Arabic program at Brooklyn public schools; Translated for the Court Unified System, Legal Aid, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911"; Provided interpreting training to hospital professionals; Worded for the Committee to Protect Journalists, Witness, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, The Arab-American Family Support Center and Mandela Institute.