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Arabic language course

From the very first group lesson, an experienced teacher will help to you build on your vocabulary and understand how the language works. You’ll use traditional learning methods as well as online learning tools, such as Quizlet, blogs, Netfliz and music. The course not only focuses on speaking and listening skills. Additional work on grammar, as well as reading and writing skills, will support you in the language learning process. Your teacher is a native speaker, and the group lesson will be conducted in Arabic as much as possible. Instructions will only be given in Dutch or English if it’s absolutely necessary. 

After completing the fourth module, you will be able to communicate in Arabic in common situations. You will also focus on developing your four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) with a special focus on the cultural awareness of the Arab world in social, historical and political aspects.

Fast facts

  • 4 modules, from beginner to intermediate
  • starts in February and September
  • 14 sessions of 2 hours
  • groups of about 12-14 students
  • 4 hours of independent study preparation per lesson
  • Certificate upon completion of course requirements for each module
Find the perfect Arabic course for you See the timetable and sign up

"During these wonderful courses we were introduced to all the beautiful and mystical facets of the Arabic language and culture. The Arabic courses were an enriching journey into the Arabic world. I warmly recommend participating in these courses accompanied and guided by Nouran’s infinite optimism and sense of humor."

Marie-Louise Jansen | Master student at the faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University.

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 325
  • UM staff, alumni and Zuyd Hogeschool students: € 395
  • All other participants: € 510

Arabic courses

For available times for the courses below, please see the course dates and the registration form. The registration form shows the currently available groups.

Quick links:

Reference levels according to the CEFR:

  • Beginner: Arabic A1 
  • Elementary: Arabic A2
  • Elementary: Arabic B1minus

  • Intermediate: Arabic B1plus

Arabic A1 (AR-A1)

Arabic A1 is for people with no prior knowledge of Arabic. Once you have completed this module, you will be able to:

  • greet people as well as introduce yourself and others;
  • ask for and provide personal details;
  • learn to read and write in Arabic;
  • talk about your family;
  • place an order in a restaurant or a cafe;
  • talk about daily activities;
  • indicate colours, forms and sizes.

Coursematerial: 

  • Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 1, (third edition, with audio and video ‘free-to-access’ online) ISBN 9781137380449
  • Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 1 Activity Book, Second Edition. ISBN 9780781813396 or ISBN 9781137372260.  The course material is not included in the course fee

Date: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A1: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

'I expected to feel a bit uncomfortable at first, especially with the online education and it being a language I have no previous experience with. My teacher made me feel very comfortable right away and encouraged everybody to get the most out of ourselves. This made the classes very enjoyable.'

Yorick Zuidema - Student at FASoS Global Studies

Arabic A2 (AR-A2)

Arabic A2 is for people with basic knowledge of Arabic and for people who have completed Arabic A1. An intake is necessary when you have not followed course 1. In this course, you will increase your vocabulary and broaden your understanding of Arabic grammar. Once you have completed this module, you will be able to:

  • conduct simple discussions in the past and present about daily activities such as work, study, pastime, shopping, travel and health;
  • talk about a city;
  • ask for and give directions;
  • inquire about travel, transportation, itinerary or prices;
  • indicate time, date, days and months of the year;
  • rent a room or an apartment;
  • Arabic expression.

Course materials:

  • Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 1 (third edition, with audio and video ‘free-to-access’ online), ISBN  9781137380449.
  • Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 1 Activity Book, Second Edition, ISBN 9780781813396 or ISBN 9781137372260.  The course material is not included in the course fee

Date: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A2: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Arabic B1minus (AR-B1minus)

Arabic B1minus is for people who have completed at least two Arabic courses and who are able to express themselves in most common, everyday situations. An intake is necessary when you have not followed Arabic A2. Once you have completed this module, you will be able to:

  • deal with most of the situations that may arise during conversations with native speakers;

  • produce text on topics of familiar or personal interest;

  • describe experiences and events, dreams, expectations and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans;

  • describe places and situations; talk about the weather;

  • talk about future events and projects and give advice;

  • express yourself in all kinds of areas, for example when it comes to taste, preferences, colours, shapes, sizes, clothing, art (objects), different media and the educational system;

  • Arabic expression.

Course material:

  • Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 1 (third edition, with audio and video ‘free-to-access’ online), ISBN  9781137380449.

  • Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 1 Activity Book, Second Edition, ISBN 9780781813396 or ISBN 9781137372260.  The course material is not included in the course fee

Date:  The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate B1minus: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Arabisch B1plus (AR- B1+)

LC-Arabic 1

Arabic B1plus is for people who have completed at least three Arabic courses and who are able to express themselves in most common, everyday situations. An intake is necessary when you have not followed Arabic B1minus. Once you have completed this module, you will be able to:

  • Understand and discuss the important points in familiar topics;
  • Understand the main ideas of texts such as Aljazeera and BBC arabic, whether they deal with tangible or abstract topics, including discussions on the subject;
  • Communicate with a degree of spontaneity and fluency that makes the interaction with native speakers mutually beneficial;
  • Produce detailed texts on a wide range of topics, explaining your point of view and discussing the pros and cons of the topic under discussion.

Date: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Course material:

  • Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 2 (second edition, with audio and video ‘free-to-access’ online), ISBN  9781352008500 
  • Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 2 Activity Book, Second Edition,  ISBN  9781352008845. The course material is not included in the course fee

Certificate B1plus: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Registration and intake

You can register for Module 1 of this course by using our registration form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation.

If you already have some knowledge of the language and would like to join a non-beginners group then you can email to Hanah Jabloune to make an appointment, free of charge. The appointment will take place at the Maastricht University Language Centre or online.

Book an intake well before the course is scheduled to begin. This process will make it easier to make the appointment, and more likely that there will still be an available spot in the module that’s right for you.

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 325

  • UM staff, alumni and Zuyd Hogeschool students: € 395

  • All other participants: € 510

Certificate and ECTS credits

After successfully completing a course, you will receive a certificate. To be eligible for a certificate, you must attend at least 12 of the 14 lessons, be present at the final exam and have satisfactory results. One course is worth 3 ECTS credits. Whether these credits are acknowledged depends on your faculty. Please consult with your faculty / home university if these credits will be accepted as part of your programme.