How intense/difficult are graduate level language classes?

[cooperstreet]

I'm attending a MA in Middle Eastern Studies program this Fall, but I have never taken a college course in Arabic. I have years of self study and did a short intensive program a year ago. I'm looking to transfer into the Advanced course. I have, however, taken community college courses in Hebrew. They weren't that intense or difficult.

How difficult are graduate level language classes?

[burnt]

Typically departments use the Al-Kitab textbook series published by Georgetown. Finishing and feeling comfortable with the third and final book in the series would put you at an advanced level. We did book one the first year, book two the second, etc. I'd say get your hands on those and see what you're comfortable with. They should be having you take a placement test and seeing where you belong based on that. Where are you planning on attending?

[cooperstreet]

Typically departments use the Al-Kitab textbook series published by Georgetown. Finishing and feeling comfortable with the third and final book in the series would put you at an advanced level. We did book one the first year, book two the second, etc. I'd say get your hands on those and see what you're comfortable with. They should be having you take a placement test and seeing where you belong based on that. Where are you planning on attending?

NYU. They do a placement test and im preparing all summer re-studying the al-kitaab books. IMO those books spend too much time on the case endings, especially when I or most students will never need to know all the intricacies of the system. So that is what I need to work on. I can read most newspaper articles with only looking up a handful of word.

I'd guess I'm halfway between advanced and intermediate levels, but i think it would be better to excel in the intermediate level than struggle at the advanced level.

[burnt]

I would've said the same thing about my own level, but two schools I applied to placed me firmly in the advanced category. The impression that I've gotten is that it's all about having laid a foundation. Though we have a LOT left to learn, I think the expectation is that it'll come naturally and "advanced" is not a measure of fluency but a level of learning, or knowledge of grammar. Either way, it sounds like you'll be perfectly fine.

I feel the same way about Al-Kitab. If you want to review grammar hardcore, I'd suggest A New Arabic Grammar by Haywood and Nahmad. It's old-school pedagogy that focuses on the little details of grammar. Congrats on your acceptance to NYU!

[cooperstreet]

I would've said the same thing about my own level, but two schools I applied to placed me firmly in the advanced category. The impression that I've gotten is that it's all about having laid a foundation. Though we have a LOT left to learn, I think the expectation is that it'll come naturally and "advanced" is not a measure of fluency but a level of learning, or knowledge of grammar. Either way, it sounds like you'll be perfectly fine.

I feel the same way about Al-Kitab. If you want to review grammar hardcore, I'd suggest A New Arabic Grammar by Haywood and Nahmad. It's old-school pedagogy that focuses on the little details of grammar. Congrats on your acceptance to NYU!

Burnt, thank you for your kind words. What did the placement test measure specifically? The case endings? al-kitaab grammar terms? I'll spend my summer brushing up on all my grammar then.

I just looked at the review for the Haywood and Nahmad. Wow! looks awesome, thanks.

[burnt]

At one school it was a Skype interview in Arabic to test proficiency and at the other was where I did undergrad and so my professors just deemed me advanced. I feel like there's not too much emphasis on the case endings but it's definitely something to be familiar with.