Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

Summer School

Arabic and Persian Language Institute

The Summer Arabic and Persian Language Institute offers you the opportunity to acquire or master skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in Arabic and Persian.  Language instruction is proficiency-oriented and imparts cultural experiences and knowledge.  The materials used are broad-based and help students develop communication skills.  You will learn how to accomplish language tasks in formal and informal situations.  Assessments reflect the model of an educated native speaker as well as proficiency (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL)) guidelines.


Classes are small and you will benefit from individual attention inside and outside the classroom.  You will learn from experienced, dedicated, and diverse faculty, who use current techniques and incorporate technology-based instruction.


Courses are supplemented with experiential activities to expose you to the Arabic and Persian culture and history outside of the classroom, which might include the following:

  • Meet with fellow students and faculty during coffee hours to test your conversational skills.

  • Visit embassies, museums, and other cultural institutes that host summer activities.

  • Watch weekly screenings of current and classic films from the region.

  • Learn from real-time and on-demand current media resources as well as the latest classroom language learning technology in the CNDLS Language Lab.

Intensive and Non-intensive Options

Intensive language courses offer 3 hours of daily instructional contact for 5 days and award 6 credits.


Non-intensive language courses offer 1.5 hours of daily contact for 5 days and award 3 credits.

Language and Dialect Course Offerings

Arabic: A comprehensive undergraduate program of intensive and non-intensive learning in Modern Standard Arabic will last ten weeks, with courses in basic, intermediate, advanced, as well as media Arabic.


Content Arabic
: Advanced Arabic language courses for advanced learners are taught entirely in Arabic.  They offer undergraduate and graduate students essential subject matter learning (linguistic, cultural, and political) while building their language proficiency.


Colloquial Arabic:
Undergraduate courses in spoken Levantine Arabic will be offered with continuation in the Second Session.  This course is not open to native speakers of Arabic, heritage speakers of Arabic, or students who have completed three years or more of Arabic at Georgetown.


Persian:
In cooperation with the Division of Eastern Mediterranean Languages, Persian courses are offered at the undergraduate level.  Intensive First Level Persian and Intensive Second Level Persian will be offered during both sessions.

Application Requirements

Georgetown Students

  • Georgetown students are not required to apply; however, they must complete the pre-registration process.

  • Georgetown students who had a break in their study of Arabic or Persian are required to take an online/on-site placement test prior to the start of classes.  Students registering for beginning level Arabic or Persian are not required to take the placement test. 

Visiting Students

  • All visiting students must complete the general admissions requirements in addition to the additional application requirements below for the Arabic and Persian Institute.

  • The Summer Arabic and Persian Language Institute welcomes undergraduate and graduate students seeking academic course work for credit and others who wish to acquire or improve proficiency for professional or personal reasons.

  • A complete application includes the Summer School Application, a one-page response to the Summer Arabic and Persian Language Institute question on the Supplemental Application form, and an official transcript. Please send all materials to:

Georgetown University
School of Continuing Studies
Office of Admissions
3307 M Street, NW
Suite 202
Washington, DC 20007

  • All visiting students registering for courses beyong the beginner level Arabic or Persian are required to take an online Arabic placement test or Persian placement test.  Students who have not taken the online Arabic placement test or Persian placement test prior to the start of classes must take the on-site placement test on the first day ot each session.

Placement exams are administered prior to or on the first day of each session to place students in courses according to individual proficiency level.


For further information, contact the Institute Assistant Director, Meriem Tikue, at (202) 687-2735.

Registration Requirements

  • Registration for introductory or basic-level courses can be done online through MyAccess.
  • Any language courses beyond the introductory level must be coordinated through the Arabic and Persian Language Institute after completing the placement exam.   

See Registration Process for more information.

Tuition Scholarships

See Tuition and Fees for more information on scholarships, policies, refunds, and loans.

View Courses

Credits 3
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • T 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • W 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • R 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • F 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.

This course welcomes undergraduate and graduate students seeking acade...

This course welcomes undergraduate and graduate students seeking academic course work for credit and others who wish to acquire or improve proficiency for professional or personal reasons. Non-intensive language courses offer 1.5 hours of daily contact for 5 days and award 3 credits and build skills for speaking as well as proficiency in reading, writing, and listening. The three-volume series Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-Arabiyya by Brustad, Al-Tonsi and Al-Batal et al., Georgetown University Press provides the foundational materials for this program.
more close
Credits 6
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.

This intensive videobased course focuses on developing proficiency in...

This intensive video-based course focuses on developing proficiency in the standard written Arabic language, as well as formal spoken Arabic. It begins with learning of script and phonology, and works rapidly into a wide range of situation-based texts and topics that build vocabulary, grammar, and general communicative competence.
more close
Credits 6
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This intensive course covers topics and situations relating to contemp...

This intensive course covers topics and situations relating to contemporary Arabic media, literature and culture. Focus is on acquisition of more complex grammatical structures, expanding vocabulary and discourse skills, and on developing competence in a wide range of communicative situations.
more close
Credits 6
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This intensive course covers topics and situations relating to contemp...

This intensive course covers topics and situations relating to contemporary Arabic media, literature and culture. Focus is on acquisition of more complex grammatical structures, expanding vocabulary and discourse skills, and on developing competence in a wide range of communicative situations.
more close
Credits 3
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • T 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • W 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • R 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • F 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.

This course is intended to build proficiency in the Levantine dialect...

This course is intended to build proficiency in the Levantine dialect, through practice of interactive functional skills such as listening comprehension, conversation strategies (linguistic and cultural), and vocabulary building. It assumes knowledge of Arabic script and Modern Standard Arabic grammatical structure. It is designed to enable students to communicate actively and appropriately on a wide range of topics. Prerequisite: at least one year of intensive Modern Standard Arabic.
more close

Intens Adv Arabic I ARAB-215-10

Credits 6
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This is an intensive largely mediabased course focusing on developin...

This is an intensive, largely media-based course focusing on developing proficiency in reading and discussion of texts in international relations, history, Islam, and current affairs. In addition to extensive reading, it includes composition exercises, review of Arabic grammar, listening skills, and conversation practice.
more close

Intens Adv Arabic I ARAB-215-11

Credits 6
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This is an intensive largely mediabased course focusing on developin...

This is an intensive, largely media-based course focusing on developing proficiency in reading and discussion of texts in international relations, history, Islam, and current affairs. In addition to extensive reading, it includes composition exercises, review of Arabic grammar, listening skills, and conversation practice.
more close
Credits 6
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This course introduces students to the basic structures of the Persian...

This course introduces students to the basic structures of the Persian language. All four language skills: speaking, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing will be taught equally using the immersion method. This method will help students achieve confidence communicating in the Persian language. Aspects of Persian culture will be introduced on a regular basis. At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Have basic level conversation in Persian: 1st level 5 minutes, 2nd level 10 minutes.
2. Read texts of elementary level: 1st level 50- 100 2nd level 100-200 words.
3. Write short paragraphs with reasonable accuracy: 1st level 50- 100 2nd level 100-200 words.
4. Develop cultural awareness through readings, films, music, etc.
more close
Credits 6
1st Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

Permission needed from Instructor. This intensive intermediate level ...

Permission needed from Instructor. This intensive intermediate level I course is designed to continue developing the student's communicative skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). This course is conducted in the target language. Initially, it affords students a view of basic Persian, then an introduction to more complex syntactic grammatical forms. Aspects of Persian history, culture, and contemporary life are also introduced through readings, listening materials, videos and films, and through the use of language technologies (web tools). The students will also be given practice in reading aloud and giving oral presentations of materials taken from the web, media, and television broadcast. As a final project, students will write a composition of 200-350 words (Intermed. I), 400-500 words (Intermed.II).
more close
Credits 3
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • T 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • W 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • R 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • F 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.

This course welcomes undergraduate and graduate students seeking acade...

This course welcomes undergraduate and graduate students seeking academic course work for credit and others who wish to acquire or improve proficiency for professional or personal reasons. Non-intensive language courses offer 1.5 hours of daily contact for 5 days and award 3 credits and build skills for speaking as well as proficiency in reading, writing, and listening. The three-volume series Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-Arabiyya by Brustad, Al-Tonsi and Al-Batal et al., Georgetown University Press provides the foundational materials for this program.
more close
Credits 6
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:55 a.m.

This intensive videobased course focuses on developing proficiency in...

This intensive video-based course focuses on developing proficiency in the standard written Arabic language, as well as formal spoken Arabic. It begins with learning of script and phonology, and works rapidly into a wide range of situation-based texts and topics that build vocabulary, grammar, and general communicative competence.
more close
Credits 6
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This intensive course covers topics and situations relating to contemp...

This intensive course covers topics and situations relating to contemporary Arabic media, literature and culture. Focus is on acquisition of more complex grammatical structures, expanding vocabulary and discourse skills, and on developing competence in a wide range of communicative situations.
more close
Credits 6
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This intensive course covers topics and situations relating to contemp...

This intensive course covers topics and situations relating to contemporary Arabic media, literature and culture. Focus is on acquisition of more complex grammatical structures, expanding vocabulary and discourse skills, and on developing competence in a wide range of communicative situations.
more close
Credits 3
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • T 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • W 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • R 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
  • F 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.

This course is intended to build proficiency in the Levantine dialect...

This course is intended to build proficiency in the Levantine dialect, through practice of interactive functional skills such as listening comprehension, conversation strategies (linguistic and cultural), and vocabulary building. It assumes knowledge of Arabic script and Modern Standard Arabic grammatical structure. It is designed to enable students to communicate actively and appropriately on a wide range of topics. Prerequisite: at least one year of intensive Modern Standard Arabic.
more close

Intens Adv Arab II ARAB-216-20

Credits 6
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This is an intensive largely mediabased course focusing on developin...

This is an intensive, largely media-based course focusing on developing proficiency in reading and discussion of texts in international relations, history, Islam, and current affairs. In addition to extensive reading, it includes composition exercises, review of Arabic grammar, listening skills, and conversation practice.
more close

Intens Adv Arab II ARAB-216-21

Credits 6
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This is an intensive largely mediabased course focusing on developin...

This is an intensive, largely media-based course focusing on developing proficiency in reading and discussion of texts in international relations, history, Islam, and current affairs. In addition to extensive reading, it includes composition exercises, review of Arabic grammar, listening skills, and conversation practice.
more close
Credits 6
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This course introduces students to the basic structures of the Persian...

This course introduces students to the basic structures of the Persian language. All four language skills: speaking, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing will be taught equally using the immersion method. This method will help students achieve confidence communicating in the Persian language. Aspects of Persian culture will be introduced on a regular basis. At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Have basic level conversation in Persian: 1st level 5 minutes, 2nd level 10 minutes.
2. Read texts of elementary level: 1st level 50- 100 2nd level 100-200 words.
3. Write short paragraphs with reasonable accuracy: 1st level 50- 100 2nd level 100-200 words.
4. Develop cultural awareness through readings, films, music, etc.
more close
Credits 6
2nd Summer Session
Lecture
Day and Time
  • M 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • T 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • W 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • R 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
  • F 8:30 - 11:45 a.m.

Permission needed from Instructor. This intensive intermediate level ...

Permission needed from Instructor. This intensive intermediate level I course is designed to continue developing the student's communicative skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). This course is conducted in the target language. Initially, it affords students a view of basic Persian, then an introduction to more complex syntactic grammatical forms. Aspects of Persian history, culture, and contemporary life are also introduced through readings, listening materials, videos and films, and through the use of language technologies (web tools). The students will also be given practice in reading aloud and giving oral presentations of materials taken from the web, media, and television broadcast. As a final project, students will write a composition of 200-350 words (Intermed. I), 400-500 words (Intermed.II).
more close

Summer School for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Image of GU Summer School