Study Arabic Abroad in Morocco

Qalam Center:
Qalam wa Lawh Arabic Language Academy is an oasis in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. Located in the up scale neighborhood of Souissi, it is a 10 minute ride by taxi to the center of the city and the Medina. Housed in a spacious (4,000 sq ft) facility and enclosed within it's own tranquil garden, our school is an ideal place to learn Arabic, and also offers our students plenty of space for quiet study or reflection, away from the every day hustle and bustle of city life in Morocco.

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The school building combines new architectural style with old. Each room offers a different feeling with Moroccan mosaics decorating the walls or ceilings, off setting the new hardwood floors and carpets. The school offers AC throughout. Wireless internet signals run throughout the building and the library and computer lab also give students access to computers and the internet. The school garden is the perfect place to relax between or after classes and our students really enjoy this tranquil oasis.

Each class is led by an experienced and enthusiastic native-speaking Arabic teacher. Our teachers are all former Fullbright scholars. They have previous experience teaching at American universities during a Fullbright exchange program. They also have held positions as Professors of Arabic at distinguished Moroccan Universities.

Like most Arab cultures, Moroccan people are famous for their hospitality. Moroccans love to meet international students and are excited to share their culture with guests. Our staff very much enjoys participating in this exchange of ideas.

- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) consists of three levels - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Arabic. Courses focus on the four basic language skills of modern standard Arabic: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

- Colloquial Moroccan Arabic (CMA, also known as "darija") is the spoken dialect of Morocco. CMA is grammatically simpler and has a less voluminous vocabulary than Modern Standard Arabic. While most CMA words find their root in MSA, many CMA words are borrowed from Spanish, French, and Berber.

- Qur'anic Studies - The aim of the course is to provide learners with a comprehensive study of the rules of Tajweed through three different levels.

- Cultural Studies - Our Arabic courses can be supplemented with a wide variety of fascinating opportunities to learn about Arab and Moroccan culture. Students can also take elective courses in the following areas: Arab women's history, Islamic history, Qur'anic studies, Arab Poetry, Moroccan Architecture, Calligraphy, Arab Literature and Classical Texts, Arab Media, Andalusian Music.

- Also: Arab Literature, Arab Women's Studies, Homestay Program with a Moroccan family.

Our intensive curriculum gives our students the opportunity to rapidly acquire Arabic through immersion in our language courses as well as our content-based training electives. We offer 4 lessons per day, 5 days per week as well as afternoon excursions twice per week. Students can enroll in sessions ranging in length between 2 to 36 weeks of study. Start dates begin every month for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels.

Students in our program are not weighed down with monotonous busy-work and memory drills. Rather, they are actively involved in a curriculum which immerses them in the exquisite Arabic language. Class sizes are small, most having only six to eight students per class.

Accommodation
Our school has on campus housing available to students. We have 5 comfortable double occupancy furnished apartments which we let out to students on a first come, first serve basis. Homestays are also available - Breakfast and dinner are provided by the Moroccan host family.

Morocco: The Kingdom of Morocco is the westernmost country in North Africa. The population of 33.2 million is estimated to be 99.9% Muslim. Its ethnic make-up is predominantly Arab and Berber. The official language is Arabic. Moroccans speak a dialect of Arabic called “Darija.” French is also widely spoken, specifically in large cities and business settings.

Morocco is a beautiful country with a rich history and diverse culture. The chance to experience the rich diversity of Moroccan cities is one of the most rewarding aspects of studying Arabic in Morocco. From Qalam wa Lawh’s central location in the Moroccan capital, all the major sites of the country are within easy reach. And without even leaving Rabat, there are amazing things to see.

Rabat: From its towering city walls to its breath-taking Atlantic coastline, the Moroccan capital of Rabat will enchant and inspire you. Its history dates back to pre-Roman times, when the settlement of Chellah was established at the mouth of the Bou regreg river in the third century BCE. The fortress there and its sister fortress the Kasbah of the Oudayas are fantastic reminders of Rabats grand past. Throughout the city, our students will come across architectural marvels centuries old. You will be able to explore marketplaces established in medieval times and visit Museums, Palaces and Mosques. You will have a unique opportunity to glimpse the reality and gain insight into one of the most misunderstood cultures in the world.

Rabat became Morocco's capital in 1912 and since then it has continued to prosper into the modern, dynamic city it is today. Rabat is a 21st century city, with all the conveniences and entertainment you can expect. And our school is very much an oasis in the city. Our tranquil villa, with its fruit trees and song birds is the ideal environment for our students to relax and learn.

We are able to organize short trips to other great Moroccan cities every weekend. From Rabat's central location, fascinating destinations like Casablanca, Meknes, Fes, Tangier, and Marrakech are within easy reach. Excursions to explore these great cities are simply a few hours train ride away.