Arabic as a Foreign Language

Main Links
- About AUB
  About AUB
  
  Founded in 1866, the American University of Beirut is a teaching-centered research university based on the American liberal arts model of higher education. AUB has over 8,000 students and 800 faculty members. The University encourages freedom of thought and expression and seeks to graduate men and women committed to creative and critical thinking, lifelong learning, personal integrity, civic responsibility, and leadership.
- Academics
  Academics
  
  AUB is accredited in the US by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and includes six faculties: Arts and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Architecture, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Health Sciences, and Business. AUB offers more than 130 programs leading to bachelor's, master's, MD, and PhD degrees. The main language of instruction is English.
- Admissions
  Admissions
  
  Learn more about how you can join the American University of Beirut. AUB seeks applicants with a proven record of academic excellence, intellectual vitality, and civic responsibility. In accordance with its founding mission and its equal opportunity policy, the University admits students regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, or nationality.
- Research
  Research
  
  The vibrant and dynamic research environment at AUB enhances the educational experience for all and serves the wider communities—local and global—by advancing knowledge in a wide range of disciplines.
- Outreach
  Outreach
  
  Recognizing and honoring our responsibility for others has been an integral part of AUB’s mission since the earliest days. Today, AUB is at the forefront of addressing the most pressing concerns of this country, this region, and its people.
- Boldly Campaign
  BOLDLY Campaign
  
  To ensure the University can continue to inspire current and future generations of smart and able students who can rise to this challenge, we are embarking on a transformative capital campaign, BOLDLY AUB: The Campaign to Lead, Innovate, and Serve.
AUB Community
- A - Z
- Find People
- Libraries
- Alumni
Public
- Telehealth
- AUBMC
- Give
Useful Tools
- E-learning
- AUBSIS
- Webmail
- Title IX Online Training

Arabic as a Foreign Language

Arabic for Visiting, Exchange and Non-Degree Students

CAMES and the Arabic Department provide students from around the world with the opportunity to study Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL) at the American University of Beirut. AUB offers AFL classes all year round in fall, spring and summer. Students may take classes in Arabic Language and Culture (Standard Arabic) and Colloquial Lebanese Arabic at all levels of proficiency without enrolling for a degree program at AUB.

To spend a fall or spring semester studying Arabic at AUB, you may apply as a Visiting, Exchange, or Non-Degree Student. The Arabic classes listed below are offered each fall and spring semester - in fall from late August to mid-December, and in spring from late January to mid-May.

Check out the CAMES Summer Arabic Programs if you are interested in intensive Arabic study over the summer.

Note that the fall and spring AFL programs will provide up to 10 hours of AFL instruction per week. The courses are sequential and prerequisites of each other so students may register for only two AFL courses per semester: one in Arabic Language and Culture and one in Colloquial Lebanese Arabic.

For descriptions of the Arabic classes listed below, see the AUB graduate catalogue or undergraduate catalogue.

Arabic Communication Skills Requirements for Degree-Seeking Students

Starting in Fall 2023, incoming undergraduate students who did not do the Lebanese Baccalaureate are no longer exempted from Arabic under the new General Education requirements. Students must take one Arabic course during their undergraduate degree to fulfill the Arabic Communication Skills requirement. CAMES will conduct the Arabic placement exam to place students in a course which is appropriate for their Arabic skills. The placement exam is free of charge and students may contact CAMES on cames@aub.edu.lb or extension 3849 for information on how to take it. Based on the exam result, we will place each student in one of the Arabic Language and Culture courses below.

Arabic Language and Culture

ARAB 203/MEST 321 Beginners Arabic as a Foreign Language I
ARAB 204/MEST 322 Beginners Arabic as a Foreign Language II
ARAB 205/MEST 323 Intermediate Arabic as Foreign Language III
ARAB 206/MEST 324 Intermediate Arabic as a Foreign Language IV
ARAB 207/MEST 325 Advanced Arabic as Foreign Language V
ARAB 208/MEST 326 Advanced Arabic as a Foreign Language VI
ARAB 209/MEST 327 Advanced Arabic as a Foreign Language VII

Colloquial Lebanese Arabic

MEST 240/340 Introduction to Lebanese Arabic
MEST 241/341 Intermediate Lebanese Arabic
MEST 242/342 Advanced Lebanese Arabic

Apply

The Office of Admissions can provide details on how to apply
The tuition fees are listed on the Office of the Comptroller website.
The Office of International Programs can provide further information about Study Abroad opportunities for international students coming to AUB

Home
RecentCurrently selected
About CAMES
People
- Faculty and Staff
- Students and Alumni
Events and Projects
- Lectures, Panels and Conferences
- Arab Intellectuals in the 20th & 21st Centuries
Visiting & Exchange Students
Contact Us

Don't hesitate to email CAMES if you have any questions about studying Arabic at AUB!

Contact Us

For various questions, please try contacting us via social media first!
read more

Privacy Statement

We take data privacy seriously and adhere to all applicable data privacy laws and regulations.
read more

Copyright and Disclaimer

Written permission is needed to copy or disseminate all or part of the materials on the AUB website.
read more

Title IX, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Discriminatory Harassment

AUB is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment to all members of its community.
read more

American University of Beirut