Intermediate Track

The Intermediate Track allows students to learn Arabic by taking language and area studies courses at Middlebury’s center at Mohammed V University. 

Students participate in the Middlebury Language Pledge®, which is an integral part of the learning process and an invaluable tool that will help students strengthen their linguistic ability. The pledge will begin two weeks after the program begins.

Track Structure

Students in the Intermediate Track will enroll in four courses for a total of four Middlebury credits. All students will take Modern Standard Arabic, Moroccan Colloquial Arabic (Daarija), and two elective courses. Classes engage students in a variety language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). 

Elective course instruction begins in English, moving toward more content in Arabic as the semester progresses, while the Modern Standard Arabic and Daarija courses immerse students in the language from the first day so that students quickly become accustomed to the language and their surroundings. 

See Course Descriptions for more details.

Elective Courses

Possible electives offered include:

• Borders of Struggle: Migration and Justice in the Maghreb
• Beyond the Revolution: Gender, Social Movements, and Politics in North Africa
• Empowering Communities: Civil Society and Sustainable Development in North Africa
• Introduction to the Maghreb: Culture, History, and Society
• Representing Morocco: From Mark Twain to the Beat Generation

Volunteering

Students may participate in a volunteer activity designed to enhance their academic and cultural experience. This involves:

• Weekly reports and a portfolio
• Engagement in Moroccan civil society and social action
• Field trips and interviews to foster intercultural competency and social responsibility

This hands-on experience allows students to apply their language skills in real-world settings while gaining deeper insight into Moroccan culture.

Activities

In addition to student support and academics, the program organizes activities to help students use their language skills outside of the classroom. Possible activities are:

• Cooking class
• Calligraphy workshop
• The Polyglot: a cultural event at Mohammed V University allowing students to showcase food, clothing, music, and images that represent their diverse cultures. Participants from various nationalities and regions in Morocco come together to celebrate their heritage
• Round tables
• Site visits
• Visits to local NGOs