Arabic has over 300 million native speakers in 26 countries. It is the 5th most spoken language globally. Arabic is the language of the Arabs which is a diglossic language. This means that its native speakers often learn and use two linguistic forms substantially different from each other, the Modern Standard Arabic (often called MSA in English) as the official language and a local colloquial variety called العامية, al-ʿāmmiyya in many Arab countries, but for political and/or ethnic reasons these are commonly classified as a single language. The best way to study Arabic to be proficient in all four parameters of listening speaking reading writing, one needs to enrol in a university or college. Literary Arabic or MSA, is the literary language of the Middle East/Western Asia and North Africa. It is also one of the UN’s six official languages. In India, the Arabic language is one of the most sought-after subjects among defence personnel. As stated earlier, the Middle East and the Gulf region are increasingly becoming strategic point for crucial nations worldwide, including India. The United States has become active in the region for many years, increasing its presence.
Those who highly proficient in the Arabic language is known as Arabic Language Specialist. The career scope of learning Arabic is full of job opportunities in Arab-world. For example, in India, an increasing number of scopes for Arabic learners have been created in various private and government educational institutions, radio, television, internet, journalism, tourism, translation, and multinational companies. If you’re lucky, you can also find some opportunities in the offices of the intelligence bureaus and Arab embassies situated in New Delhi. It is the most popular West Asian languages. The Arab world has untapped economic potential and extremely rich in natural resources. Proficiency in Arabic opens opportunities in business, government, non-profit, education, and beyond.
Here is a list of some reputed colleges, universities, learning centres providing an Arabic course in India
Arabic is offered through the following Universities
Aligarh Muslim (AMU) occupies a unique position amongst universities and institutions of higher learning in the country. Established in 1920 it offers facilities for specialized learning in areas of technical, vocational and interdisciplinary studies.
Barkatullah UniversityBhopal has remained the renowned centre of Arabic for the last 200 years. This programme is aimed to students with proficiency in Arabic gained through a university degree of some other ascertainable means and is designed to cater for non-native speakers of the language, students will have the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of the Arabic Language, and its literature and culture through a complement of modules with a clear modern focus, which nevertheless is not oblivious to the important continuity between modernity and tradition. Another important feature of the course is Spoken Arabic, we have excellent practice in this field with eminent teachers well capable to this task. It offers MA Arabic 2 years, MPhil Arabic 1 year, Diploma Course in Modern Arabic Language 1 year, Certificate Course in Modern Arabic Language 6 months
Superprof.in offers you convenient, tailor-made curated classes anytime anywhere. The platform has millions of teachers to assist you in learning and developing new language learning skills. Superprof also offers first-class for absolutely free so you can get the whole experience before you spend your time and money with a specific teacher. The free class will help you understand the level of knowledge that you can get along with what kind of understanding you expect from someone teaching you. You can choose the teacher who you feel will be the most compatible in helping you learn Arabic. Learning a new language like Arabic will be beneficial for you in more than one way.
JNU – Centre of Arabic and African Studies (CAAS)
The JNU language courses are the most revered of all foreign language courses in India.
The Centre of Arabic and African Studies (CAAS) at the School of Language, Literature, and Culture Studies offers modern Arabic language and specialization in its literature, translation, and interpretation. Selection is done via entrance examination for admission to full-time three-year BA (H), MA, and five-year M.Phil./Ph.D. programs in Arabic language, Literature, and Culture.
Jamia Millia Islamia (Department of Arabic) offers various Arabic Language Courses with a balance beautifully between classical and modern literature. An institution held in great repute is credited for more than 100 scholars having been awarded or pursuing a Ph.D. program in Arabic.
It offers M.Phil. Arabic /PhD, MA, BA (Hons.), One-Year Certificate / Diploma / Advanced Diploma in Modern Arabic & Translation.
Jawaharlal Nehru Academy of Languages
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan’s Jawaharlal Nehru Academy of Languages is one of the oldest Foreign language offering institution courses in India, established in 1958. Arabic was started at the academy in 1962. It offers a one-year course of two semesters of 5 months each. There will be an examination at the end of each semester in December/May. Students passing out at the end of the Second Semester will be awarded Certificates. It offers M.A in Arabic 2 Years INR 40000 – 1 Lac
IGNOU (School of Foreign Languages) offers Certificate courses in Arabic for 6 months – 2years INR 1500, and a PhD. 3-6years INR 16800 in the Arabic language through distance learning programs. It offers a PhD in language, literature, and culture. IGNOU PhD in Arabic is a 3-year doctorate degree program, eligibility to which is an average score of 55% in master’s degree
Osmania University Osmania University is named after its founder, Nawab Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad who rather through a farman or Royal Charter, brought the University into existence in 1918. It is the seventh oldest in the Country and the third oldest in South India. It offers M.A.- Arabic MPhil Arabic PhD. Arabic And Certificate Proficiency in Arabic
Benaras Hindu University started teaching Arabic in 1917 and the department was established in 1973.The Department has been conducting research in the area of Arabic literature (modern and classical) and Arab History and Culture and other allied subjects. The Department plans to take up comparative studies with Indian culture and different Indian languages.
It offers BA (Hons) Arabic in Arabic 3 years 4400, BA Compulsory Arabic 3 years INR 3307 annually, MA in Arabic INR3160 annually, One year certificate in Arabic INR 15000, PG Diploma in Arabic (1) 2 years INR 29886, PhD Course Work 2019 BHU and UG Diploma in Arabic
Calcutta University, Kolkata
One of the oldest department of the Indian Universities, as established in 1907, started P.G. Course in 1913, produced a large number of scholars, administrators and teachers, among them most noted persons are Prof. Ubaidullah al- Ubaidi al – Suhrawardy, Prof. Zubair Siddiquiee, Prof. Md. Ishaq, Prof. Ata Karim Burke, Prof. Md. Rahatullah and Prof. S.M.S Al-Qaderi, as it’s a pioneer institute of higher learning and research alongside the department always remained vibrant with various activities like organizing the International Seminars, Memorial Lectures, Special Lectures, Visiting Fellow/Professor’s program under the UPE Scheme, the publication of Annual Departmental Research Journal and Proceedings of the Seminars. It offers MA Arabic and PhD. Arabic
Special award/ recognition from UGC or related statutory body : Presidential Awards conferred to Prof. Ata Karim Burke, Prof. Md. Rahatullah and Prof. S.M.S Al-Qaderi
Mumbai University, Mumbai
The Department of Arabic Language and Literature is amongst one of the oldest Departments of the University of Mumbai and has been rendering a yeomen service to the Arabic language imparting knowledge to the benefits of students and peers, since June 1993. Its offers MPhil and PhD. The Department of Arabic conducts the following courses:
i. PG Courses in Arabic
- PhD. Degree in Arabic
- M.A. Part I & II in Arabic
ii. Certificate Course in Arabic
- Certificate Course in Islamic studies
- Diploma Course in Arabic
- Diploma Course in Islamic studies
iii. Advanced Diploma Course in Arabic
Calicut University, Calicut
The Department was set up in 1974 to promote higher studies and research in the Arabic language and literature in Kerala. To realize this objective, the department offers certificate, diploma, master and doctoral level programmes in Arabic.
M.A. Arabic 4 Semesters, M.Phil. One Year, Certificate Course in Spoken Arabic 6 Months (Part-Time), P.G. Diploma in Translation and Secretarial Practice in Arabic One Year (Full Time), P.G. Diploma in Commerce and Management in Arabic One Year (Part-Time)
University of Lucknow, Lucknow
The Department of Arabic is one of the oldest Departments of Lucknow University, as it also existed during the Canning college era. It was established along with other departments when University was founded in 1921. It started working with the single discipline Arabic Literature, but in a later period, it started running two more subjects: Arab Culture & Modern Arabic. Presently the Deptt. Offers courses in Arabic and Arab Culture from UG level to PhD and post-doctoral programs including a PG course in Modern Arabic.
At present the Department. offers the following courses & disciplines:
Arabic (UG to Post-Doctoral)
Arab culture and civilization (UG to Post-Doctoral)
Modern Arabic (PG Course)
Diploma in Modern Arabic
Proficiency in Arabic & Modern Arabic
Finally,
The Arabic writing system is called ‘abjad’. Words are written in horizontal lines from right to left, numerals are written from left to right. It generally has 28 letters (in Arabic) – some additional letters are used in Arabic when writing placenames or foreign words containing sounds that do not occur in Standard Arabic, such as /p/ or /g/. Additional letters are used when writing other languages. It is used to write Arabic, Adamaua Fulfulde, Afrikaans, Arabic (Algerian), Arabic etc. a beautiful language that awaits you to start learning!
