Arabic (Minor)
Program Description
Language is the principal means through which humans communicate and a major vehicle in the development of thought, culture, and aesthetic expression. Studying language makes one aware of other conceptual and cultural worlds and able to reach more effectively into those worlds and bridge cultures. NYUAD language courses are structured to increase competency at every level in speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Every language course introduces cultural material that highlights the connectedness of language, culture, and thought. Students who choose to acquire a new language or to pursue advanced study of a language with which they are already familiar are better poised to realize their potential as 21st-century global citizens. For these many reasons, students are strongly encouraged to study a language other than English while at NYU Abu Dhabi.
By studying Arabic, students encounter and begin to grasp the first language of Abu Dhabi and the region. Classroom learning is enhanced by opportunities to apply language skills in the community and to travel to other Arabic-speaking countries.
The goal of the minor in Arabic is to provide students with the proficiency to understand and use the Arabic language. The minor in Arabic is useful for many careers and academic specializations that require practical fluency in both Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Arabic.