Learn Arabic at the International Language Institute in Washington, DC

Register now for our 2025 winter term!

  • Multiple levels
  • Small class size – max. 12 students
  • Native-speaking & experienced instructors
  • Affordable tuition – $380 per level
  • 4 terms per year – each 10 weeks long
  • Convenient downtown location or online

Learn Arabic and study at ILI in Washington, DC, or Online.

The Arabic language group class program consists of four 10-week terms throughout the year. We offer 11 different levels from beginner to advanced. Classes meet once a week in the evenings or on Saturday mornings. Our teachers are all native-speaking and experienced. The Arabic Language Program integrates speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We maintain small class sizes to enable adequate time for conversation in every class. To find your level, please refer to the level description or use our self-evaluation guide. If you have further questions, please call Jane Edwards, ILI’s Foreign Language Coordinator, at 202-686-5610 extension 105.  Enroll now!

Live, Instructor-led In-Person or Online Arabic Classes 

Learn Arabic in person or online from a live instructor using Zoom. All online classes are instructor-led, in real-time, allowing for the same live interaction as our in-person classes. Some of our classes are a combination of in-person and online students. We have 360-degree cameras in the rooms enabling online participants to feel part of the class. This hybrid class environment allows students to engage with each other and the instructor and to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking the Arabic Language.

Schedule              Register Now!

2025 Term:Session Dates:Registration Deadline:
WinterJan. 13-Mar. 22, 2025Monday, Dec. 29, 2024
SpringApr. 7-Jun. 14, 2025Monday, Mar. 24, 2025
SummerJun. 30-Sep. 6, 2025Monday, Jun. 16, 2025
FallSep. 22-Dec. 6, 2025Monday, Sep. 8, 2025
Basic 1
This level provides an introduction to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Students learn to read and write the complete Arabic alphabet and construct basic sentences. Students will acquire some basic vocabulary, develop oral-aural skills and learn the sounds of the Arabic language through script and simple dialogue work. By the end of the term, students will be able to engage in simple conversations and read and write Arabic script. Previous Arabic not required.

Offered on: Wednesdays 6:15 – 8:45 pm or Saturdays 10:00 am -12:30 pm.   Enroll now!

Objective: To introduce students to the Arabic alphabet and sound systems (Modern Standard Arabic), and to provide the student with the ability to engage in simple conversation.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to read and write the Arabic alphabet and individual words; engage in simple conversations involving greetings/introduction of self; know general expressions and short phrases, and become familiar with the basic geography and culture of the Middle East.

Topics: Origins, structures and countries Arabic is spoken in; differentiation between classical, Modern Standard and various colloquial dialects; phonology and alphabet; one-way connectors; short vowels; noun gender; alif maqsura and hamza; diacritical remarks; nominal sentence; assimilating and non-assimilating sounds; greetings; identifying oneself; asking about well-being.

Textbook: Alif-Baa with website, 3rd edition, $106 including tax

Lessons: 1-10, complete textbook

Basic 2
This level is considered to be the first step for a student of Arabic following the overall learning of the alphabet, basic phrases, and sentences. It introduces the student to the four communication skills (reading, speaking, listening and writing) in Arabic and will add themes relating to describing oneself, city and family using brief and basic sentences. This level will rely on two main protagonists, Maha and Nisreen.

Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15–8:45 pm  Enroll now!

Objective: Be able to read texts on familiar topics and understand the main ideas without using the dictionary and have confidence in the ability to guess the meaning of new words from context. Be able to speak about yourself and your environment, carry out basic transactions related to daily life orally and in writing, and initiate and sustain conversations on a number of topics. Understand native speakers to a certain extent, especially if they are communicating in modern standard Arabic. Be able to form and understand almost all basic sentence structures of Arabic. Become familiar with some of the differences between formal and spoken Arabic and learn some aspects of Arab culture.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will acquire solid reading and writing skills of Arabic on a basic level; conjugate the present tense; engage in simple conversations involving talking about basic background information, and discuss family members.

Topics: Masculine and Feminine; The Nisba; Interrogatives; Subject Pronouns; Plural, feminine plurals; Idafa, Possessive pronouns; Offering a drink; Present tense verb; Nominal sentence, Verbal sentence; Welcoming someone. Basic Arabic 1 or equivalent of 25 hours of Arabic is a pre-requisite for this level.

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part One with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 1-3

Basic 3
This level continues to solidify the student’s four communication skills (reading, speaking, listening and writing) in Arabic and will add themes relating to more complex issues, and is done through Arabic language and cultural immersion. This level will continue relying on the main protagonists, Khaled and Tareq.

Offered on: Saturdays: 10 am-12:30 pm.  Enroll now!

Objective: Be able to continue reading texts on familiar topics and understand the main ideas without using the dictionary and have confidence in their ability to guess the meaning of new words from context. Be able to speak about yourself and your environment, carry out basic transactions related to daily life orally and in writing, and initiate and sustain conversations on a number of topics. Increasingly understand native speakers to a certain extent, especially if they are communicating in modern standard Arabic on simple subject matters. Be able to form and understand many increasingly complex sentence structures of Arabic. Continue to become familiar with some of the differences between formal and spoken Arabic and learned some aspects of Arab culture.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will acquire solid reading and writing skills of Arabic on a basic level; engage in simple conversations involving career-plans, academia, daily and weekly schedules, and themes centered around family relations.
Topics: This level continues to provide an introduction to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as well as Egyptian and Levantine spoken Arabic, in which students learn basic sentences pertaining to particular contexts. Students will acquire additional basic vocabulary and increase their grammatical understanding. By the end of the term, the student will be able to engage in conversations relating to the weather, academia and expand discussing family matters. Basic Arabic 2 or equivalent of 50 hours of Arabic is a pre-requisite for this level.

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part One with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 4-7

Basic 4
This level continues to solidify the student’s four communication skills (reading, speaking, listening and writing) in Arabic and will add themes relating to more complex issues, and this through Arabic language and cultural immersion. This level will continue relying on the main protagonists, Khaled and Tareq.

Offered on:  Tuesdays: 6:15–8:45 pm.  Enroll now!

Objective: Be able to continue reading texts on familiar topics and understand the main ideas without using the dictionary and have confidence in their ability to guess the meaning of new words from context. Be able to speak about yourself and your environment, carry out basic transactions related to daily life orally and in writing, and initiate and sustain conversations on a number of topics. Increasingly understand native speakers to a certain extent, especially if they are communicating in modern standard Arabic on simple subject matters. Be able to form and understand many increasingly complex sentence structures of Arabic. Continue to become familiar with some of the differences between formal and spoken Arabic and learned some aspects of Arab culture.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will acquire solid reading and writing Arabic on a basic level; engage in simple conversations involving career-plans, academia, daily and weekly schedules, and themes centered around family relations.
Topics: This level will continue using Egyptian and Levantine spoken Arabic for spoken purposes and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) in which students continue to build their basic Arabic skills through watching short stories, covering grammatical structures and forms, reading and writing. Students will acquire additional vocabulary pertaining to career orientation, academia, daily and weekly schedules, and family matters. By the end of the term, the student will be able to engage in more complex conversations related to core and tangential themes. Basic Arabic 3 or equivalent of 75 hours of Arabic is a pre-requisite for this level.

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part One with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 8-10

Basic 5
This class concludes the basic levels. It will solidify the student’s four communication skills (reading, speaking, listening and writing) in Arabic and add themes relating to more complex issues, a preparatory step for the intermediate level. This course will continue relying on the main protagonists, Khaled, Tareq, Mohamed and Hasan.

Offered on: Thursdays 6:15 – 8:45 pm Enroll now!

Objective: Feel at ease reading texts on familiar topics and understand the main ideas without using the dictionary and have confidence in the ability to guess the meaning of new words from context. Be able to write an official letter such as an application or an offer letter with proper grammatical structures. Be able to speak about yourself and your environment, carry out more complex transactions related to daily life orally and in writing, and initiate and sustain conversations on a greater number of topics. Understand native speakers to a certain extent, especially if they are communicating in modern standard Arabic on day-to-day subject matters. Be able to form and understand many increasingly complex sentence structures of Arabic. Continue to become familiar with some of the differences between formal and spoken Arabic and learn some aspects of Arab culture.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will conclude the Basic level and cover topics such as relationships, scholarships, vacation, engage in simple conversations involving scholarships, vacation, emotions, and justifying decisions.
Topics: This level involves more conversational activities than previous levels in order to prepare the student for the intermediate level. It will continue using Egyptian and Levantine Arabic for spoken purposes and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) in which students acquire their basic Arabic skills through watching short stories, covering grammatical structures and forms, reading and writing. Students will acquire additional vocabulary pertaining to expressing opinions and describing emotions. By the end of the term, the students will be able to engage in more complex conversations related to core and tangential themes, in addition to writing essays related to more complex themes such as describing a vacation or writing an official letter. Basic Arabic 4 or equivalent of 100 hours of Arabic is a pre-requisite for this level.

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part One with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 11-13

Intermediate 1
This introductory level of intermediate classes will cover subjects of historical and social significance to the Arab World such as Ibn Batoota’s trip, major holidays and feasts, and Arab journalism. This level will cover substantive extracts and passages that will become longer and more sophisticated than passages covered in the basic levels. It will cover more grammatical structures built on the students’ understanding and conception of previous grammatical rules. Each chapter will expand on studying the root and patterns of the verbs, a rule covered in the Basic levels. It will also expand on colloquial Arabic, noting the various differences of expressions between MSA and Arabic dialects.

Offered on:  Mondays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!

Objective: This level seeks to provide the student with a more sophisticated reading material in order to enhance his/her discussion and writing skills. The student will also be at ease engaging in day-to-day conversations.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to converse more fluently using more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary, and read more sophisticated Arab texts, relying on the second part of Al-Kitaab.

Topics: History and Arab countries; cultural discussions; study of texts; past and present tenses; doubled or geminate verbs; inquiring about numbers: How many…; active participle and passive participle; dropping the “Noon” in the Idafa structure; sisters of كان; the Idafa structure revisited; the passive voice; sisters of إنَّ: إنَّ و أنَّ و لأنَّ و لَكِنَ و كَأنَّإسم المكان “مفعل(ة);broken plurals; nouns that take special case endings.

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part Two with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 1-2

Intermediate 2
This level will cover new vocabulary that will help the student discuss locations and their descriptions in addition to discussions related to residence and stability. This level also addresses topics related to every day’s life pertaining to clothing, people’s relations with family and friends, and talking about the near future. The grammar section of this course will provide the student with a review of verb patterns, the concept of اسم المكان, use of the nominal sentence with a fronted predicate to describe a place, the اسم معرفة مع “الذي” و”التي” و”الذين”. This course will expand the student’s knowledge of the relationship between Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial and the use of the dictionary in close reading. Texts in this course will become longer due to the expansion of vocabulary.

Offered on: Mondays 6:15–8:45 pm Enroll now!

Objective: To initiate and sustain conversations on some topics of general interest, with native speakers, and to paraphrase when necessary to allow the student be understood. To be able to read authentic Arabic texts on general topics and understand the main ideas without using the dictionary and to continue to expand on colloquial Arabic.

Learning Outcome:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will converse and discuss more intellectual subjects that require the use of more technical and sophisticated terms. It will also enhance the discussion skills of the students on various issues.

Topics: فعل وَصَلَ, يَصِل – اِشتَرى, يَشتَري, وزن أفْعَلَ, الألوان, كان وأخواتها, من ال….+ المصدر, أسواق دمشق القديمة, المصدر كإسم, تصريف الأفعال التي تنتهي ب “و” أو “ي”, شهور السنة, إعراب الاسم, الاسم المجرور, “أب” و”أخ” في الإضافة

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part Two with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 3-4

Intermediate 3
This level will solidify the student’s experience in initiating and sustaining conversations and interactions in Arabic. The student will start spending more of his/her homework time reading and listening to texts as they grow longer. The amount of new vocabulary will increase and this aspect will remain the core evaluation of measured progress. The grammar section will cover the concept of المثنى  and الفعل المضعف. Other themes that will be discussed in this course relate to people, cultures, and immigration.

Offered on:  Mondays 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!

Objective: To increase the student’s ability to use guessing skills, grammatical knowledge, and dictionary to read complex parts of authentic texts with good accuracy. To synthesize various reading skills and make choices about how to read based on specific goals. And, to increase ability to narrate events in the past, present, and future, to compare things, and to discuss some topics of general interest in writing as well as in speech.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to continue improving their reading, writing, and speaking skills with the use of a better quality narration with lesser grammatical errors.

Topics: اسم الفاعل; المثنى في العامية\ في الفصحى; الاسم المرفوع; الفعل المضعف بالفصحى و العامية; المئات والآلاف وقراءة التواريخ

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part Two with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 5-6

Intermediate 4
This level will cover new vocabulary that will help the student discuss travels of historical significance and discuss great explorers, holidays and celebrations. It will delve into additional cultural topics relevant to the Arab world. In the grammar section, the course will cover concepts such as passive verbs, additional coverage of pronouns and plurals. Moreover, this course will continue to build students’ skills in the concept of roots and patterns in Arabic grammar, which will provide the learner with the necessary skills to tackle more complex texts and literature.

Offered on:  Tuesdays 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!

Objective: To increase familiarity with social norms as well as issues affecting Arabic speakers. Emerged ability to choose formal or informal varieties of Arabic according to the context, even though the knowledge of these registers remains imprecise. Ability to use morphology to acquire vocabulary from familiar roots.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to continue improving their reading, writing, and speaking skills but also improve their understanding of Arabic social norms with an increasing ability to switch between formal and informal Arabic with the use of better quality narration with lesser grammatical errors.

Topics: ابن بطوطة وأطول رحلة في التاريخ; الفعل المجهول في الوزنين “فُعِلَ” و”فُعَّلَ”; جمع المؤنث; كم؟ إعراب الاسم مع الأعداد; ابن خلدون مؤسس علم الإجتماع; اسم المفعول; اسم الفعل في الحال; احتفالات عيد الفصح بسوريا”\”الاحتفالات بالمولد في مصر

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part Two with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 7-8

Intermediate 5
This final level in Intermediate Arabic will conclude with more dense passages to be studied and discussed by learners. The course will address additional topics of complex nature such as media and education. The student will expand essay writing by employing a sophisticated structure. On the conversation level, the student will be able to express him or herself comfortable with the use of proper technique, grammatical, and structured discussions on subjects that overreach the intellectual spectrum.

Offered on: Thursdays 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!

Objective: To reach a solid level of understanding, reading, writing, and discussing topics of complex significance. To acquire the ability for the student to monitor himself/herself when speaking and writing and to self-correct and write short essays on topics of intellectual capability.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to move to a more proficient level in the language. The goal is to successfully complete the Al-Kitaab, Part Two textbook.

Topics: “و” و”ي” في جذور الأفعال; من تاريخ الصَّحافة في مصر; “كانَ وأخواتها”: توسيع; “بنيّة تونسية”: مدونة الحرية; من معاني “ما”; مقابلات حول الإعلام والتكنولوجيا; ذو; الفعل الناقص: الذي في آخر جذره “و” أو “ي”; إنَّ وأخواتها; الفعل المجهول في الماضي والمضارع

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part Two with website, 3rd edition, $148 incl. tax

Lessons: Chapters 9-10

Advanced
This level introduces the advanced level in Arabic. It will build on the writing and conversational skills acquired in the intermediate levels to assist the students in formulating ideas, writing essays, and ideas that would be considered complicated and sophisticated. More than fifteen authentic texts by writers from across the Arab World address a wide range of political, social, religious, and literary themes and represent a range of genres, styles, and periods. Although this level focuses on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), classical Arabic texts have been incorporated in the curriculum to introduce students to the continuity of the language throughout its history. Students will also start paying attention to the stylistic features of Arabic. This level will also begin to engage students in text translations and interpretation of conversations.

Offered on: Tuesdays 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!

Objective: This level will continue covering subjects of historical, political, and social relevance to the Arab world, but on a more advanced level, relying on group discussions, essay writing, class debates and critique.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course students will be become acquainted with rich literature extracts and continue to guide them towards an advanced level of proficiency. MSA and classical Arabic will be covered relying on a plethora of texts.

Topics: Political discussions and writing; social issues in the Arab World; demonstrative pronouns; hollow verbs revisited;المَصدَراسم الفاعِل و اسم المفعولالمَبني للمجهولAdverbs;مَعاني "ما" الإسمية و الشَرطية;الفِعل الناقِص;الجَذر الرُباعي;اسم المَفعول للفِعل الناقِص و الاسم المَقصور;numbers; synonymous couplets; five nouns revisited; conditional clause (protasis); review of verb tenses.

Textbook: Al-Kitaab Part Three with DVD and MP3 CD, $72 incl. tax.

Program Details

$380 for a 10-week one level class per student. Au-Pairs can receive a 10% discount on tuition with proof of their status. Enroll now!
May be purchased at the time of registration or at the Institute before or on the first day of class. All prices quoted include a 6% DC sales tax and all prices are subject to change at any time. Tax-exempt organizations or individuals need to provide proof of sales tax exemption before being charged. No retroactive refunds of sales tax. Once received by the student, books and other materials are the property of the student and are non-refundable.
Regarding placement, we recommend that you go to our self-evaluation guide on our website. Kindly read through each description of each level. If you feel that you are able to fulfill all the tasks described in one level, then move on to the next level and so on, until you reach a description of tasks that you are unable to fulfill. That would correspond to the level of classes in which you should enroll. If, once enrolled, you should not feel comfortable at that level, you can transfer to another level, availability permitting.

We do not offer placement tests.
Regular group classes meet once weekly in the evening (6:15-8:45 pm ET) or on Saturday mornings (10 am-12:30 pm ET) for 10 weeks. Each session is 2.5 hours. All class hours are U.S. Eastern Time (Standard or Daylight Saving). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week.
In-person at ILI and online via Zoom. Our classes are usually held in person at Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036. Classes are also offered online via Zoom. We are within walking distance from the Metro's Dupont Circle (South exit) and Farragut North stations. Parking garages are close by and parking on the street is available after 6:30 pm.
Minimum 3, maximum 12 students. We recommend signing up as early as possible so we can adequately plan for all classes. If the minimum enrollment of at least 3 students per class is not met, we will have to cancel that class after the registration deadline has passed. In case of a cancellation, students will be given the opportunity to change classes, postpone their enrollment or request a full refund.
Our program requires each student to participate in weekly quizzes, which will be graded, based on a “Pass” or “Fail” system. There will be a final quiz that will measure the sum of the instructional objectives for the course. Grades are verbally communicated to students at the end of each class/course, and are marked on the attendance/performance sheet. Students must have completed and passed at least 70% of the quizzes to move to the next level.
It is important for students to attend every class meeting. It is also important that they arrive on time for class. We cover a lot of material in each class. The instructor cannot repeat material for students who are absent or come late. Students will be marked absent when they do not come to class. Missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Students who arrive 15 minutes after the advertised starting time will be marked late. For every 3 times that the student is marked as late, it will count as a missed hour. If we notice that a student’s attendance is in danger of falling below 70%, we will issue an attendance report to the student.
Per request, we can issue certificates of completion after the term has ended. The certificate can be ordered at the front desk. In order to be eligible to receive a certificate or pass to the next level, you are required to attend a minimum of 70% of the classes and have a “Passing” grade. We will need a couple of days in order to verify your attendance and passing grade before issuing the certificate.
ILI’s foreign language group programs are accredited by ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training), and we also offer 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) per every successfully completed course, 5.0 for the accelerated courses. Upon request, our Certificates of Completion can include the CEU’s earned per semester.
No refunds are issued for any reason after the registration deadline for the term (see Schedule above). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week. Individually missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Otherwise there is no make-up for individually missed classes.
The International Language Institute reserves the right to cancel any class if deemed necessary. Prior to commencement of class, students will be given a full refund. In the event of cancellation after the commencement of class, the pro-rata portion of the unexpended tuition will be refunded. The prorated amount of refundable monies will be determined by the ratio of classes completed to the total number of classes in the scheduled program. The International Language Institute reserves the right to assign substitute instructors whenever necessary.
Classes are cancelled in accordance with federal government closures for the entire day due to inclement weather. Please check public announcements on radio, TV and the internet; or call ILI at (202) 362-2505. Closures are also posted on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ILIinDC. We rarely follow early dismissals.

ILI is closed for the following holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. Group classes will not meet on these holidays and the missed class(es) will be made up at the end of the term.
Please contact our Foreign Language Coordinator, Jane Edwards, at (202) 686-5610 ext. 105 or at [email protected].