Have you always wanted to learn Arabic? The Arabic course for beginners offered by the University of Groningen Language Centre introduces you to the Arabic language and culture. You will learn standard Arabic/Egyptian, the most spoken version of Arabic. This form is spoken in a lot of Arab countries in the Middle East and the Gulf countries. Our Arabic teacher will teach you your first Arabic words and phrases. We practice with conversations in everyday settings, such as in a restaurant, on the street, or a conversation with an acquaintance. This way you will soon be able to get by in Arabic!
Who is this course for?
This course is for beginners of Arabic. During the course, we work towards CEFR level pre-A1. The course is taught in Arabic as much as possible, with explanations provided in Dutch or English depending on the group participants. It is therefore important that you have a good command of English in order to participate in the course.
What will you learn in this course?
The course consists of 12 lessons of two contact hours, during which the following topics will be covered:
Reading and writing the Arabic script
Vocabulary
Short sentences
How many hours of independent study are required?
You should expect to spend a total of 30 hours on independent study in order to stay on track with the course. Each week, you are expected to go through the lesson material, learn and practise the vocabulary, complete the grammar exercises and pay sufficient attention to your listening and reading skills.
What will you be able to do after the course?
Read and write in Arabic
Explain who you are, where you live, and where you come from
During this course, we use the following materials. You will need to purchase these materials yourself. The text book and workbook are both available in English and Dutch. The content is the same, so you can choose yourself which one you buy.
Yalla Yalla! Part 1 Textbook, Arabic for beginners Josien Boetje, Mariska Keizer Verbeek, Rami al-Sheikh. ISBN English Textbook: 9789046973752 (2024) ISBN Dutch Textbook: 9789046907030 (1st edition, 2021) Available at Publisher Coutinho
These books are not compulsory (optional), but useful:
Yalla Yalla Part 1 Workbook, Arabic for beginners English Josien Boetje, Mariska Keizer Verbeek, Rami al-Sheikh. ISBN English Workbook: 9789046909331 (2024) ISBN Dutch Workbook: 9789046907047 (1st edition 2021)
Yalla Yalla! Schrijfschrift, Basiscursus Arabisch (1e druk 2023) Josien Boetje, Mariska Keizer Verbeek. ISBN 9789046908419
Yalla Yalla! Tekstboek- Supplement Egyptisch, Basiscursus Arabisch op weg naar A1- deel 1 (1st edition 2022) Josien Boetje, Mariska Keizer Verbeek. ISBN 9789046908389
Students and employees of the UG, UMCG, Hanze and Windesheim pay the student rate (students) or discount rate (employees). Log in via the red button to activate the discount!
The atmosphere during the lessons was very fun and pleasant, making mistakes did not feel uncomfortable at all. Also, the teacher made the topics we covered very interesting!
Course participant says
The atmosphere during the lessons was very fun and pleasant, making mistakes did not feel uncomfortable at all. Also, the teacher made the topics we covered very interesting!