Background

Givat Haviva's Institute for Arabic Studies has been operating since 1963. It is the first educational institution in Israel to offer Arabic Studies for purposes of multicultural awareness and peace. We believe that language is a bridge between people and cultures. It is from this basis that we work to facilitate multicultural meetings, intended for people from diverse backgrounds to get to know each other and their languages.

Over the years, we have developed a unique pedagogical approach that allows our students to express themselves freely in Arabic, in variations of language levels.

This ability is developed by adhering to several principles: 

1. Total immersion: The students are surrounded by Arabic. Teachers also speak a target language (Arabic).
2. Relying on prior knowledge: Most of the time, the initial level of knowledge that students report of is lower than the actual level of knowledge they have. We help the students learn relying on prior knowledge they have acquired, thus increasing confidence in the use of language.
3. A holistic approach to language acquisition: The classical Arabic teaching method separates reading and writing studies (Fusha) from the teaching of spoken language (Amya). We teach the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and understanding a conversation) at the same time, using different language levels.
4. Relevance to student life: The topics in the course are tailored to the needs of the students. Naturally, students are initially interested in learning concrete expressions, and are slowly seeking to expand their expressions into more abstract topics.

Skills that the students will acquire during the course:

1. Conversation skills in spoken Arabic.
2. Identify the letters in Arabic and read single words.

Knowledge that students will acquire:

1. Basic vocabulary in spoken Arabic that includes useful words such as orientation in the city, home, family.
2. Basic knowledge of Palestinian culture that includes familiar songs, well-known folk tales, proverbs, and parables.
3. Basic knowledge regarding religions in Israel: Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Course structure:

1. Dates: 1 May- 26 June 2023.
2. The program includes eight weeks of activity.
3. The course will be given in small groups, up to 10 students per group.
4. School hours: 9:00-19:00, including breaks and homework preparation and workshops.
5. The course runs five days a week, Sunday to Thursday.
6. Once a week the students will go out to Field trips.
7. The schedule is fixed, but changes can be made according to the feedback given during the course (feedback is given once a week), as well as according to pedagogical needs.

Courses:

1. Useful Arabic: The main course in Arabic. In this course, students will practice speaking in spoken Arabic, acquire basic vocabulary and the grammatical basics of the spoken Arabic language.
2. Basic reading and writing in Arabic: A course that includes familiarity with the Arabic alphabet and will allow students to recognize words in spoken Arabic.
3. Palestinian Culture: A course that includes songs, stories, parables and proverbs and aims to expose students to Palestinian culture.

Costs and expenses (per student):

1. Studies: 1,600 NIS per week, total cost: 12,800 NIS.
2. Accommodation: 1000 NIS for a person in a room for two, total cost: 2,000 NIS.
3. Meals: 100 NIS per day. Total cost: 6,000 NIS.

Total cost for the program: 20,800 NIS, Excludes flights and transfers to Givat Haviva.  

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STUDIES Our teachers go beyond the academic, often opening their homes and introducing students to their families and day to day activities. Spoken & Literary Arabic   Palestinian Culture Religion TOURS Arab cities and villages as well as mixed cities   Barta'a Jaffa Negev Haifa GIVAT HAVIVA Givat Haviva is located in Israel's Wadi Ara region, home to the country's highest concentration of Arabic speakers. About Us The Institute for Arabic Studies   The Campus