About the MSA Track
Modern Standard Arabic (al-Fusha) is the formal, standardised register used across all 22 Arab League member states for written communication, news broadcasting, academic publication, political discourse, and international diplomacy. Proficiency in MSA opens access to the full breadth of contemporary Arabic media, literature, and professional life.
The Al Andaluse MSA track is structured for rapid, deep acquisition — beginning with the grammar foundations and progressing through to advanced reading, composition, and oral production skills that allow students to operate effectively in any formal Arabic-speaking environment.
Eight Progressive Levels
The MSA curriculum spans eight levels from absolute beginner through advanced independent user. Placement testing ensures every student enters at the appropriate level and progresses at the right pace.
- Level 1–2 (Beginner): Script, phonology, essential grammar, core vocabulary (1,000 words)
- Level 3–4 (Elementary): Expanded grammar, reading simple texts, basic composition
- Level 5–6 (Intermediate): Complex grammar, newspaper Arabic, formal writing, oral presentations
- Level 7–8 (Advanced): Literary texts, advanced composition, media Arabic, near-native oral production
Weekly Schedule
Classes run Sunday through Thursday for a total of 20 contact hours per week:
- Morning session (9:00–11:00): Core grammar and structures
- Afternoon session (13:00–15:00): Text reading, listening, and speaking practice
- Weekly writing workshop (Friday morning, optional)
- Supplementary self-study materials and media Arabic lab access
Authentic Materials
From the first month, students read excerpts from Al Jazeera editorials, BBC Arabic, United Nations documents, contemporary Arabic novels, and academic journal articles — progressively more demanding as proficiency develops.
Who Is This Program For?
- Diplomats, foreign service officers, and international civil servants
- Journalists and media professionals working in the Arab world
- Graduate researchers in Middle Eastern, Islamic, or area studies
- NGO and humanitarian workers requiring professional Arabic proficiency
- Business professionals operating in Arabic-speaking markets
- Any serious learner committed to functional Arabic literacy