It is important to think of Arabic as a lived language, one that is practiced by millions of people around the world. The following information is meant to encourage you to utilize the internet resources in order to familiarize yourself with Arabic script, layout, phonology etc. and give additional information about Arabic culture. The page also provides you with extracurricular activities that you can participate in.
Students can get involved in Arabic beyond the classroom by coming to an Arabic film screening during LLCU International Film Night, or participating in Cultural Nights, organized by the instructor. Students can also attend potlucks at the Queen’s International Centre, or become a language buddy with QUIC's English Conversation Program. Participation in such activities will give students ways to help, learn and to exchange with other students of other cultures, including Arabic.
Queen's International Centre
The Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) is an international education support service for students, faculty and staff at Queen’s. Through its activities the Centre promotes an internationally informed and cross culturally sensitive university community.
QUIC programs and services support
- the academic and personal development of international students, other international members of the Queen’s community, and their families;
- the academic and personal development of Queen’s students, staff and faculty interested in Education Abroad; and
- the internationalization of the campus by working with university departments, offices, groups and individuals to enhance and diversify the international learning environment at Queen’s through educational and training activities.
QUIC offers many cultural events and get-togethers for students, as well as the opportunity to volunteer to support international students with improving their English as they integrate into Queen’s life. It is a fruitful way to meet other students from other countries, to help and to learn from one another.
Check QUIC Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date information.
Arabic Film Night
Arabic movies with English subtitles will be screened during the Fall and the Winter terms as part of LLCU Film Nights Program. The films are screened usually on Thursday evenings in Kingston Hall room 201.
Announcements regarding the film titles and exact times will be made at the beginning of each term. You can also check our news section for updated event information.
Muslim Societies, Global Perspectives
Muslim Societies, Global Perspectives (MSGP) is an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to connecting the cosmopolitan and pluralist legacy of Islamic communities' past with contemporary experiences of Muslims in multicultural societies and across transnational diasporas. Our initiative embraces the study of Muslim cultures that span the globe.
For more information about the initiative and its events, please visit MSGP website.
Student Clubs
With approximately 450 student clubs to choose from, you can easily enhance what you learn in the classroom and have the chance to embrace your passions. More than 100 cultural and ethnic student clubs and organizations foster diversity and cultural engagement on campus. Below are AMS (Alma Mater Society) clubs that may be of interest to students of Arabic:
| Club Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Queen's Arab Students' Association | QASA aims to provide Arab students a secular, non-judgmental and non-political 'home away from home', while celebrating Arab culture on campus. |
| Queen's Ismaili Muslim Students Association | We enhance the unity of the Queen’s Ismaili Muslim Students Association members through conducting events and providing services balanced among the areas of education, social, cultural, sports, health, leadership development and community relations. Doing so effectively and efficiently, in collaboration with partnering institutions and in accordance with the principles and ethics of the Aga Khan Council for Canada. |
| Queen's University Muslim Students Association | We act as a focal point for Muslim students to meet for various acts of worship. We also seek to interact with other clubs and members of the Queen’s and Kingston community at large. QUMSA strives to create an inclusive and welcoming platform by organizing numerous social and educational events throughout the year. |
| Queen's Thaqalayn Muslim Association | Queen’s TMA activities and events are all inspired by our three main objectives: unity through diversity, giving back to the community and those in need, and catering to the holistic needs of Queen’s students and staff and Kingston community members. |
Arabic culture night
In previous years, Professor Amal Eldiaby has arranged an event for students of Arabic 100 and 200 that was held just before the reading week in February. Students experienced some Arabic food, music, dance. Everyone learned how to dance Dabkeh, a group dance from the Levant. The dance was instructed by a student in Arabic 200.
Related links
| Learning Arabic | |
|---|---|
| Arabic on your computer |
You may start typing Arabic as soon as you start your Arabic course! This website provides you with instructions on how to display and type Arabic.
|
| Aratools |
Arabic-English online dictionary |
| Qalam wa Lawh Center for Arabic Studies | Qalam Center for Arabic Studies is an institution with a reputation for excellence in providing a comprehensive program for the study of Arabic as a foreign language to students from around the world. |
| eArabic Learning | eArabicLearning.com is an Arabic learning academy for students all over the world who want to improve their Arabic in an affordable, fast and effective way. They offer live online teaching with their group of native qualified teachers, who will make your learning fun and effective. |
| A series of 15 lessons using songs to teach vocabulary and grammar. | |
| Contains Arabic videos with transcripts and vocabulary. | |
| CultureTalk features video clips of interviews and discussions with people from many different countries and of many different ages and walks of life. Some interviews and discussions are in English; more are in the language(s) of the countries involved. Translations and/or transcripts are given for all non-English video clips. Topics include family, food, education, religious and cultural customs, work, art, sport, travel, and more. | |
| News in Arabic | |
|---|---|
| Al Jazeera | Al Jazeera (Arabic version) is an independent broadcaster owned by the state of Qatar |
| CNN | Arabic version of Cable News Network |
| Reuters | Arabic version of Reuters News Agency |
| Syria News | |
| Arabic Radio Stations | |
|---|---|
| Radio Monte Carlo | Radio Monte Carlo Doualiya (International) is a mainly Arabic-speaking station, broadcasting in many locations throughout the Middle East and North Africa from Paris. It was founded in 1972 and is a member of the Radio France Internationale Group. |
| Mazaj FM | Mazaj 95.3 fm is a private Arabic radio station based in Amman, Jordan. The station plays the latest Arabic pop music in addition to the biggest hits of the past decades. |
| BBC Arabic Radio | Arabic-language radio station run by the BBC World Service.
The radio service is broadcast from Broadcasting House in London as well as from a BBC Bureau in Cairo. |
| Arabic Newspapers | |
|---|---|
| Al Akhbar | is a daily Arabic language newspaper published in Beirut. |
| Ad Dustour | is an Arabic daily newspaper published in Jordan. Its headquarters are in Amman, Jordan. |
| Al Rai | is a daily newspaper from Jordan. |
| Al Quds | is a Palestinian Arabic language daily newspaper, based in Jerusalem. It is the largest circulation daily newspaper in the Palestinian territories. |
| Beirut Times | is an independent, cultural, social and political newspaper published and distributed weekly in the United States. |
Middle East and Islamic Studies research guide includes article indexes, books / e-books, selected journals, encyclopedias & language dictionaries, news sources and much more!