SABLA Program: Summer Arabic Language Immersion
The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center's Sabla Program is an intensive summer language program designed to benefit current university-level students and recent graduates. The program offers courses at four different levels: Advanced Beginning, Low Intermediate, High Intermediate and Advanced. The program emphasizes the instruction of Modern Standard Arabic or MSA (fusha).
The MSA program runs for four weeks offering highly intensive course work in Arabic. Classes run from Monday to Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Experienced instructors use a proficiency-based approach that emphasizes all five skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. Arabic is the main language of instruction. Classes are held in technologically advanced classrooms.
The program offers formal instruction in a language that is enriched by immersion in an authentic cultural context. Cultural activities include weekly lectures on topics related to Arab history, society, and culture with a special focus on Oman.
The program is highly demanding. As such, students are expected to be totally committed to attending classes and doing homework on a daily basis. The typical daily workload in the Sabla program entails 4 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 2 to 3 hours of homework.
All applicants are required to have completed at least two semesters of Arabic at a college or university in the United States by the start of the program. This exam, together with the information to be provided in the application about the student's knowledge of Arabic and the required Arabic writing sample will determine the level of Arabic instruction appropriate for the applicant.
The program also includes:
- Integrated weekly cultural events, including music presentation and movie screenings.
- Attending lectures conducted in Arabic featuring guest speakers.
- Trips to acquaint students with the magnificent Middle Eastern heritage on display in museums and libraries across D.C.
- Visits to Middle Eastern restaurants.
Fees
This academic scholarship covers the cost of classes only. Students will be responsible to pay for their airfare ticket to D.C., accommodation, and food, excursions (most museums in D.C. are free to the public) and any other miscellaneous living expenses for the duration of their stay in D.C.
Textbooks
Students are required to purchase textbooks. Additional teaching materials will be supplied by instructors at no cost to students.
Insurance
All insurance coverage including medical, life, accident etc. is the responsibility of the student. Please note that students will be required provide proof of valid medical insurance with their application.
Accommodation
Students must make their own arrangements at a hotel, hostel, or private home in D.C. Reservations should be made in advance before arriving to D.C. for class. SQCC does not provide housing. Students must arrange for their own housing.
If you need any assistance, please email Dr. Abeer Al-Mohsen: arabic@sqcc.org
Sample weekly programs
A typical weekly schedule would look like this:
| Time | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs |
| 10:00-10:50 | Class | Class | Class | Class |
| 10:00-10:50 | Class | Class | Class | Class |
| 12:00-12:50 | Lunch | Lunch | Field Trip 2nd W & 4th W Regular class day 1st W 3rd W | Lunch |
| 1:00-1:50 | Class | Class | Guest Speaker/ Arabic Movie | |
| 2:00-3:00 | Conversation Club | Conversation Club | Guest Speaker/ Arabic Movie |
SABLA Application
Deadline is June 15, 2017
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.sqcc.org/Arabic-Language-Program/SABLA-Application.aspx