Student Program
Students entering grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 may be considered for the Student Program which will run from June 22nd – July 3rd. Students who have completed grade 12 and plan to pursue learning Arabic at colleges and universities are also considered. Prior knowledge or exposure to Arabic language is not a pre-requisite for eligibility. Students will be divided to levels according to their language skills. Heritage students are encouraged to apply.
The DePaul Arabic Startalk programs cover all instructional expenses and provide general incentives to participants. In addition to providing the opportunity to participate in DePaul quality education and teacher training programs, participants will receive, upon successful completion of the program, a DePaul Certificate of Completion, and a monetary stipend. Applications are due on WEDNESDAY JUNE 10th at 5pm.
Student Immersion Course | Download Application
PROGRAM DURATION: Students will receive six hours of daily instruction and activities in Arabic for two weeks. The program starts June 22 and ends on July 3. Classes will be conducted on Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with possible field trips on Fridays.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This course is an immersion Arabic program specially designed by the DePaul Department of Modern Languages – Arabic Studies Program for high school students who are interested in pursuing their Arabic studies at high school or college/university level. The participants will be divided into small groups. Thirty students will be admitted to the program. The groups will be selected based on their Arabic language competency level. Participants will receive standard-based instruction in Arabic language and culture delivered by trained native speakers of Arabic. In addition to student centered language instruction, students will participate in a range of cultural activities including instruction in Arabic calligraphy by a certified calligrapher, learning traditional Arabic group dance (Dabka), learn Arabic songs and poetry, and many other activities designed to introduce the students to Arab culture with its Arab practices and products. All instruction will be in Arabic. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with heritage Arabic speakers through field trips and extracurricular activities.
PREREQUISITE: Students must be enrolled at a public or private high school at the time of applying for the program. Potential students will be accepted based on an interview and placement test prior to the start of the program. They will be placed in beginner and intermediate groups based on their test results.
GOALS: The course provides a two-week intensive Arabic standard-based, immersion, student-centered instruction through thematic units designed specifically for the DePaul StarTalk summer program. The goals of the courses are:
- Improve communicative ability in Arabic through standard-based instruction in all language skills
- Practice Arabic language using the four modes of communication.
- Increase knowledge and awareness of Arab culture
- Use cultural skills to better communicate with Arabic speakers
- Increase knowledge and use of Arabic vocabulary
- Use basic Arabic language patterns to better communicate in Arabic
- Develop appreciation of the Arabic language and culture
- Develop interest in pursuing learning Arabic language and culture
Further program details:
- All participants must be US citizens or legally allowed to work in the United States to be admitted to the course and receive stipend.
- Selected applicants will be required to attend an orientation meeting, take a placement test, and complete and sign all required documents prior to the beginning of the program.
- Upon successful completion of all course requirements, students will receive a certificate of completion from DePaul University and $500 to cover travel and personal expenses during the course. Any absence, lack of participation, or lack of completion of course and program requirements could result in partial or full lose of stipend.
- Expenses of all books, materials, and supplies will be covered by the program.
- Lunch will be provided to participants throughout the duration of the course.
- Students are required to participate in end of program event.
- For further information contact ArabicStartalk@depaul.edu