Gulf Dialect and MSA
The full-time Gulf Arabic Program skillfully develops the student’s spoken Gulf Arabic dialect alongside the formal, written Modern Standard Arabic. Developed over 15 years by Arabic linguists working in conjunction with native speakers, our spoken Gulf Arabic Program is one of the best in the Gulf.
Arabic Curriculum
Our Gulf Arabic Core Dialect Courses cover 3 levels and are filled with conversations, vocabulary, grammar points, stories and proverbs, along with plenty of opportunities for students to practice out loud.
After learning to read and write the alphabet, students continue their study of Modern Standard Arabic using the acclaimed Al-Kitaab series published by Georgetown University Press.
Weekly Schedule
Our two-year full-time program consists of four 18-week semesters. Classes are held five days a week (Sunday to Thursday) with about 12 hours of online, live class time each week and 10-12 hours of at-home prep and self-study. Approximately 2/3 of the time will be spent studying the spoken Gulf dialect, and the other 1/3, Modern Standard Arabic.
In addition to class time, students are encouraged to actively develop their own friendships with Arabic speakers and find opportunities to practice in the community around them.
The Two Year Program
- Semester One
- Initial Three Weeks
- Getting Started – an oral introduction to common spoken phrases
- Writing Arabic from Alif to Baa – introduction to the Arabic Script
- Remainder of the Semester
- Camel Course – GAP’s own spoken Gulf dialect course
- Show-and-Tell – Communicate your own experiences and stories
- Hayaa Bina II – A first introduction to MSA rules and grammar
- Initial Three Weeks
- Semester Two
- Gazelle Course – GAP’s own spoken Gulf dialect course II
- Picture Stories – Grow in longer narrative production and creativity in Arabic
- Topical Discussions – Broaden your vocabulary and ability to communicate on a range of topics
- Sahlawayhi I – Develop MSA reading skills with this Arabic reader designed for adult learners
- Al-Kitaab I – Explore MSA grammar and construction
- Semester Three
- Falcon Course – GAP’s own spoken Gulf dialect course III
- Topical Discussions – Continue to broaden your vocabulary and ability to communicate on a range of topics
- Sahlawayhi II – Develop MSA reading skills with this second Arabic reader.
- Al-Kitaab I & II – Continue to explore MSA grammar and construction as you complete Book I and begin Book II
- Semester Four
- Although the content of Semester Four varies depending on the aptitude and interest of the students involved, the focus is always heavily on developing fluency of expression across a broad spectrum of topics. Possible options include local Folk Stories, Debate, Arabic in News Media, Cartoons and Political Satire, Arabic Television, Family Problems, Money Issues, Role-Playing and Advanced Conversations.
Further Study Options
After completing the two-year full-time program, many students express a wish to continue studying with our experienced teachers. For those who want to continue to develop their language through the Gulf Arabic Program, we developed specific course materials related to topics like Omani Conversations, Community Issues, Instagram Topics, Colloquial Sayings and Responses, Topical Discussions II, Cooking Demonstrations, TV Comedy, Pronunciation and Grammar Review. This program can be tailored to suit the students ability and schedule, on a part time or block course basis. Talk to us to arrange a program that suits you.