Master of Arts in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL)

• Conduct well-structured research in the field of Applied linguistics in general and Arabic linguistics and teaching of Arabic as a foreign language (AFL) in specific.
• Demonstrating knowledge of theoretical frameworks that guide sound pedagogical decisions in foreign language classes in general and AFL classes in specific.
• Demonstrating ability to use practical skills expected of qualified foreign language teaching professionals.
• Demonstrate ability to understand the complex continuum of linguistic varieties that exist in the Arab world today and the challenges AFL learners face when dealing with such varieties, as well as the change in views of how to successfully address them in their classes.

Bachelor’s degree from accredited university, acceptable GPA, English proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS), two recommendation letters, personal statement

Courses

A. For students who specialized in Arabic Language:

I. Core requirements:

• APLN 501/5201 – Principles of Linguistic Analysis (3 cr.)
• APLN 503/5202 – Second Language Acquisition (3 cr.)
• APLN 510/5203 – Methods of Teaching a Foreign Language I (3 cr.)
• APLN 511/5204 – Methods of Teaching Arabic to Non-native Speakers II (3 cr.)
• APLN 520/5302 – Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (3 cr.)
• APLN 553/5205 – Sociolinguistics (3 cr.)
• APLN 555/5206 – Seminar on Challenges Facing AFL Teachers (3 cr.)

II. Electives:

• APLN 507/5310 – Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) (3 cr.)
• APLN 540/5270 – Selected Topics in Applied Linguistics (1, 2, or 3 cr.)
• APLN 515/5101 – The Phonetics of Arabic (3 cr.)
• APLN 550/5322 – Language Pragmatics (3 cr.)
• APLN 551/5323 – Discourse of Analysis for Language Teachers (3 cr.)
• APLN 563/5211 – Language Variation and Change (3 cr.)
(All TESOL electives are open for TAFL students upon agreement of academic advisor.)

B. For students not specialized in Arabic Language:

I. Collateral requirements
(The number of courses taken is to be decided by the academic advisor based on result of entrance exam.)

• APLN 515/5101 – The Phonetics of Arabic (3 cr.)
• APLN 516/5102 – The Linguistics of Arabic (3 cr.)
• APLN 551/5103 – Advanced Arabic Grammar (3 cr.)
• APLN 515/5101 – The Phonetics of Arabic (3 cr.)

II. Core requirements

• APLN 501/5201 – Principles of Linguistic Analysis (3 cr.)
• APLN 503/5202 – Second Language Acquisition (3 cr.)
• APLN 510/5203 – Methods of Teaching a Foreign Language I (3 cr.)
• APLN 511/5204 – Methods of Teaching Arabic to Non-native Speakers II (3 cr.)
• APLN 520/5302 – Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (3 cr.)
• APLN 553/5205 – Sociolinguistics (3 cr.)
• APLN 555/5206 – Seminar on Challenges Facing AFL Teachers (3 cr.)

III. Electives:

• APLN 507/5310 – Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) (3 cr.)
• APLN 540/5270 – Selected Topics in Applied Linguistics (1, 2, or 3 cr.)
• APLN 550/5322 – Language Pragmatics (3 cr.)
• APLN 551/5323 – Discourse of Analysis for Language Teachers (3 cr.)
• APLN 563/5211 – Language Variation and Change (3 cr.)
(All TESOL electives are open for TAFL students upon agreement of academic advisor.)

Note regarding required and elective courses:
Both required and elective courses are divided into two phases.

Phase one courses include:
APLN 5201
APLN 5202
APLN 5203
APLN 5204
Phase two courses include:
APLN 5102
APLN 5205
APLN 5206
and/or other elective courses that the student proposes to take in order to finish required credits. Students will have to finish phase one courses before moving to phase two courses.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of a written examination followed by an oral examination. It is required only of students not writing theses and may not be taken more than twice.

Thesis

The thesis is usually required for graduation. In some circumstances and with the adviser’s approval, a candidate may be allowed to replace the thesis with two additional courses, increasing the total number of minimum credit hours required from 30 to 36. In such cases the candidate would be required to take the comprehensive examination.

The student writing a thesis must produce a professional paper on some aspect of TAFL. The thesis must be prepared under the guidance and close supervision of a faculty adviser and a designated committee.