The University of Montana Arabic Studies Program will offer three intensive Arabic language courses to high school students during the Montana Arabic Summer Institute held at UM from June 20 to July 11. The courses are funded through a STARTALK grant from the National Security Agency to expand and improve the teaching and learning of strategically important foreign languages.
Thirty students will be recruited and enrolled in three levels: level one for students with no previous knowledge of Arabic, level two for students who have been introduced to the basics, and level three for former level-two students or those who have studied at least one year of Arabic in high school.
Students will develop and improve their Arabic language skills — listening, speaking, reading and writing — and cultural knowledge in a fun and academic environment. They also will learn how to enable and use Arabic on their computers, iPads and smartphones.
The grant will cover tuition, fees and instruction materials. Upon completion of the courses, students in the first two levels will earn five college credits and students in the third level will earn three credits.
