Home page
ع

Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL) - MA

Program Overview

AUC's Master of Arts program in teaching Arabic as a foreign language (TAFL) is a distinctive degree program with few, if any, counterparts in other American universities. 

Among the reasons for its success is the fact that TAFL’s mission and that of the ALI dovetail very nicely: ALI’s various programs host a large pool of non-native learners, while TAFL students, through a combination of study, research and hands-on training, gain experience and competence in teaching. TAFL students enjoy the opportunities they have to: interact with the experienced faculty members of the institute outside of classes, as is possible during workshops and in mentoring situations; and to directly observe and participate in the teaching process, furnished by the practicum courses whereby our students are expected to observe and teach up to 35 hours per semester.

Also, opportunities for unpaid assistantships are available. The cooperative exploration of practical pedagogical issues is deemed valuable. As a result, our students become familiarized with theory as well as practice in the field of language teaching.

TAFL Program Banner of students working in group in class

Degrees and Admission Requirements

Non-native speakers of Arabic and holders of university degrees with specializations other than Arabic language or Islamic studies must demonstrate that their proficiency in Arabic is adequate for study in the program through an Arabic language entrance exam and an interview offered by the TAFL program.

Fellowships

In addition to the fellowships and scholarship opportunities that are managed by the dean of graduate studies, some funding opportunities are particularly relevant to students interested in the MA in TAFL, including: