TRYING ON A NEW PAIR OF GLASSES

”I believe a language is like a pair of glasses that we put on to understand how someone else views the world and to view our own reality through a different lens” writes Medill senior Isabela Lisco, who is pursuing a second major in Middle East and North African Studies and a minor in Arabic. Already fluent in English, German, and Spanish, Isabela’s passion for languages has taken her to the Middle East, where she spent significant time honing her Arabic skills and immersing herself in the region’s culture and daily life.  This spring, six students—including Isabela, Asiya and Hebah—are graduating with a minor in Arabic, joining a vibrant and growing community of Northwestern alumni who have made studying  Arabic language and culture a meaningful part of their academic experience.

OUR LANGUAGE TABLES

Our biweekly language tables offer students a dynamic, informal setting to practice speaking a foreign language while exploring new cultures. Usually held during meals or casual meetups, these gatherings bring together learners, native speakers, and instructors for conversation in the target language, building fluency and confidence beyond the classroom. In addition to improving communication skills, language tables foster cross-cultural understanding, strengthen community among participants, and enrich the academic experience by linking language study with real-world interaction. Activities at language tables vary widely, offering fun and creative ways to engage with the target language.

• Schedule for biweekly Language Tables

PURSUING A MINOR IN ARABIC

Students who wish to gain a high level of proficiency in Arabic can now pursue a Minor in Arabic. The course work leading to the Minor in Arabic is carefully scaffolded along a set of overarching goals that inform the pedagogical tasks employed in each class:

• to become an effective communicator in Arabic at the advanced level
• to gain cultural literacy and an understanding of the history of the Middle East
• to develop an appreciation of Arabic literature and Arabic literary influences
• to learn how to initiate, appreciate, and maintain global outreach and connections

The Minor in Arabic has a prerequisite of Arabic 121-3 (end of second-year Arabic) and requires 6 courses in Arabic at the 200- and/or 300- level chosen from the various courses offered in the MENA Languages Program.

FULBRIGHT LANGUAGE TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Northwestern was hosting five Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) in 2024-2025: Heba Khaldi in Arabic, Margo Oganezov in Hebrew, Ecem Hermes in Turkish, Ines Silva De Almeida in Portuguese, and Staicy Toms in Swahili. FLTAs enhance the teaching of global languages and expose Northwestern students to a true understanding of people of different nations. The FLTA program is sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

 Saying good-by after a year of collaboration and friendship