Classical Arabic

Immerse yourself in the richness of Classical Arabic with our expert-led program, designed to enhance your language skills and cultural understanding.

Master Classical Arabic

Our Classical Arabic Program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the language, specifically focusing on texts such as the Qur’an and other works influenced by its form and content. The program begins with a foundational phase that emphasizes the linguistic elements of the language, including grammar (nahw), morphology (sarf), and rhetoric (balagha). At this stage, students develop skills to not only read and comprehend classical Arabic texts, but also analyze, translate, and interpret them, laying a solid foundation for their learning journey.

As students progress into the intermediate and advanced levels, they shift from learning the language to using it as a tool for exploring and deciphering a range of classical and contemporary texts. Topics include Scriptural Exegesis (tafsir), Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), Prophetic narratives (hadith), and Islamic history, all of which are critical for gaining a deep cultural and historical understanding. By the time students complete the advanced level, they are equipped with the language proficiency equivalent to those of native Arabic speakers in Arab universities, all within about two years, even with little to no prior knowledge of Arabic. This program is ideal for anyone looking to master classical Arabic for both academic and professional purposes, including those with an interest in Islamic studies and related fields.

Other programs

CIMA Arabic Language Certification

The CIMA (International Certificate of Arabic Language Proficiency) is a globally recognized certification that validates your level in Modern Standard Arabic. Developed by the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in partnership with France Éducation International, CIMA is the first international Arabic proficiency certificate of its kind.

The IMA organizes two CIMA exam sessions each year, in spring and fall, at its headquarters and through authorized testing centers worldwide. This certification offers students and professionals an official and internationally accepted assessment of their Arabic language skills.

CIMA Arabic Language Certification