ARAB 1010

I really enjoyed this course! I have zero experience with the Arabic language so it was a bit overwhelming at times, and it can get overwhelming, but the tutor was super helpful since I couldn't make it to Professor Bilal's office hours most of the time. As for professor Bilal, he is an incredibly good teacher in my opinion. He went through each subject thoroughly and answered our question while clearing up any confusion we had. He does call on you in class to read a word out or form a sentence and does give some criticism but it's all with your best interest at heart. We definitely used both books, Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Part 1, since the first day of class to the end of the semester. We do have homework virtually every night but it's nothing unbearable, it can be a bit confusing at times but I wouldn't say anything too difficult. We only have 4 exams I want to say and they are nothing terrible as long as you study the vocab and book. Towards the end of the semester it can get a bit intense since you start to form sentences and paragraphs but again nothing too crazy intense. As for group work, towards the middle of the semester he pairs you up with someone and you talk to each other in Arabic. This is of course a fast paced course so if you miss a day, definitely do some work from the book on your own. Overall, I enjoyed his class and would definitely recommend someone else take it!

The ARAB 1010 course is a great introductory course for Arabic. I had Bilal Humeidan and we first spent the first couple months covering the alphabets to gain a strong-foothold with them using the Alif-Baa textbook. Afterwards, we moved to the Al-Kitaab textbook where we covered more vocabulary and grammar. The class does not have a necessarily consistent structure and it can feel at times a bit all over the place especially with no Collab page but it is manageable. Humeidan also gives a reasonable amount of homework to ensure you are constantly practising the language. As far as the different components that make up you grade you are looking at attendance, homework, participation, 3 quizzes, and a final exam with a take-home portion. Hence, it is very manageable provided you are willing to put the effort.
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I took this course as a non-native speaker (I am American with American parents) and it was definitely difficult. You use two textbooks and you are constantly quizzed (verbally) on vocabulary. Also, there is a lot of grammar towards the end of the semester. You must attend class every single day or else you get very lost. The alphabet is covered for two whole months and then you move onto reading aloud and translation. As someone who has never been exposed to audible Arabic nor written Arabic before, I think Ustaadh Bilal H. is a great introductory professor for Arabic.

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