We teach Modern Standard Arabic, but references are made to the differences between Arab dialects.

Find out why Arabic is a great language to learn in this blog: 5 great reasons to learn Arabic.

Courses

Our language courses aim to develop your linguistic skills and intercultural competence. You can find out more on the general information page.

The following Arabic courses are available for students currently studying at the University of Bath:

Course descriptions

Complete Beginner (Semester 1)

This level is suitable for you if you have never studied Arabic before or if you know some basic phrases. 

Post Beginner (Semester 2)

Enrol on this course if you have completed the Complete Beginner course with us, or if you:

• have mastered the Arabic alphabet and sound system
• can distinguish and pronounce all Arabic sounds and write accurately from dictation
• can use basic structures and basic vocabulary related to greetings, introductions, family, jobs and professions
• can follow simple conversations and understand simple texts on familiar topics
• can engage in simple conversations and write short texts on familiar topics

Lower Intermediate Part 1 (Semester 1)

Enrol on this course if you have completed the Post Beginner course with us, or if you:

• have knowledge of vocabulary covering topics including: around the house, my city, countries and nationalities and at the market
• can use grammatical structures such as: there is/there are and prepositional phrases
• can engage in simple conversations and express basic opinions on a range of familiar topics
• can understand texts about the mentioned topics
• can write short clear, well-structured texts on various subjects

Lower Intermediate Part 2 (Semester 2)

Enrol on this course if you have completed the Lower Intermediate level Part 1 with us, or if you:

• have knowledge of vocabulary covering a range of topics including: the number 0-100, days of the week, saying the time, giving directions, ordering food and drink, clothing and colours.
• have some knowledge of the past tense and plural forms
• can engage in longer conversations and express opinions on a range of topics
• can understand longer texts
• can write clear, well-structured texts on various subjects

Course dates and times

All courses consist of 10 weekly interactive sessions delivered on campus in person (IPL = In-person learning) or remotely (LOIL = Live online interactive learning).

Semester 1 courses will run on the following dates and times:

Dates and times for Semester 2 courses will be published in January 2024.

Student experience

"Khalil is an engaging and invested teacher, who makes learning Arabic fun and, dare I say, easy. I took his Spoken Arabic and Written Arabic classes and was very satisfied with how much I could read, write and understand by the end of the year. His method for teaching the Arabic alphabet is highly effective. I went from knowing none of the letters to reading paragraphs in one single term. I would strongly recommend the classes to anyone trying to learn the Levantine dialect, the Arabic alphabet, or anyone who wishes to familiarise themselves with Arab culture." (Leyla Boulakovski, MA Interpreting and Translation)

In addition to our courses, there are opportunities to develop your language and intercultural skills informally with other students through Peer Assisted Learning, Virtual Exchange and the Language Café.

Outside the classroom, we also share cultural events organised by Arabic language associations in the UK such as the British Council's Arabic Language and Culture Programme and Qatar Foundation International with our students. These events offer additional opportunities for you to develop your knowledge of Arabic language and culture.