The U.S. Foreign Service Institute, part of the U.S. Department of State, ranks Arabic as a category four language, placing it among the most difficult for English speakers to learn, requiring tremendous effort, time, and focus to build fluency. Arabic is also on the list of languages less commonly taught in American schools that the State Department considers critical to present and future U.S. national security and prosperity.
Studying abroad is typically the gold standard for the level of immersion needed to achieve language and cultural fluency; however, the costs associated can be a barrier. But what if an immersive environment was just steps rather than a flight — or three — away?
The Florida State University Arabic Language House offers students a passport to immersion without ever leaving campus. Inside, shelves are lined with Arabic-language books, films and games. The aroma of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine fills the air as residents gather for group cooking sessions. Amid the bustle of classes, residents return to a home base where every conversation increases their proficiency.
“Living in the language house is an excellent opportunity to develop language skills without ever leaving the country,” said Zeina Schlenoff, founding director of the Arabic Language House, director of the FSU Middle East Center, and a teaching professor of Arabic in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics.
Launched in Fall 2023, the ALH welcomes Arabic learners from any major or year. Students reside in Ragans Hall alongside a Fulbright foreign language teaching assistant who leads workshops, discussions and activities. Mais Nassar, this year’s assistant and a native Arabic speaker from Jerusalem, found the ALH opportunity crucial in choosing which university to attend.
“Among the most beloved traditions in the ALH is cooking day,” Nassar said. “The kitchen is filled with laughter, questions and conversations.”
Schlenoff had been researching and planning for a language house for a decade when the College of Arts and Sciences granted approval to move forward in 2022. Currently, FSU is the only Florida university with a live-in foreign language house, but the concept is present at other U.S. institutions, including Cornell University in New York and Virginia’s William and Mary University.
FSU’s first cohort served as a pilot to assess student interest and program success. Applicants in the first class were required to have taken a minimum of one semester of Arabic to ensure basic experience in reading and writing.
“Living in the ALH has helped me excel in my coursework and vocabulary beyond what’s possible in the classroom,” said Matthew Dottor, ALH resident and a senior majoring in Middle Eastern Studies and Italian. “I plan to work as an Arabic interpreter and translator in the future, and this program supports my linguistic and cultural growth in a way that is vital to my success.”
To start and end each semester, residents participate in an oral proficiency interview that establishes their learning level: novice, intermediate, advanced, superior or distinguished, with subdivisions for low, mid or high. Novices may understand individual words and formulaic phrases, while those with superior proficiency can easily discuss abstract ideas.
Research consistently shows immersion, whether as part of a year-long study abroad or a short-term program, positively affects students’ linguistic abilities. Schlenoff proudly reports that every student in the pilot cohort advanced at least one sublevel, performed better in Arabic classes, and gained confidence with the language since moving into the ALH.
“The Arabic Language House is a stepping stone toward studying abroad,” said ALH resident Nadia Rassech, a senior majoring in Middle Eastern Studies and international affairs. “I’ve built fluency and confidence in a comfortable environment before I spend the summer in Muscat, Oman and the fall semester in Fez, Morocco.”
Starting in Fall 2024, the Language House program will expand to include another critical language — the Japanese Language House has 11 students committed for the 2024-2025 academic year.
“The language house provides a unique experience for participating students, and the concept fits exceptionally well into our mission,” said Sam Huckaba, the college’s dean. “As a comprehensive institution, we strive to provide the best possible environment for students to learn and grow.”
These expansions are part of Schlenoff’s aim to grow the program and its opportunities.
“My goal has always been to build a global community at FSU,” Schlenoff said. “I hope to have students from multiple target languages on the same floor come together for cultural exchange and to help our students on their path to becoming global citizens.”
FAQs
A liberal arts and sciences education emphasizes a well-rounded course of study in the humanities and natural, mathematical and social sciences that aims to impart a broad general knowledge and develop intellectual capacities adaptable for numerous work and life environments in contrast to a narrowly focused ...
What is the meaning of arts and science? ›
Art and science, at their core, are both methods of inquiry into the nature of the world. While science seeks to understand and explain phenomena through rigorous observation, experimentation, and analysis, art explores the world through subjective interpretations, emotions, and sensory experiences.
Why is it called College of Arts and Sciences? ›
Both are liberal arts. Science originated from philosophy, a liberal art. As such, when universities started to offer education explicitly in science (as opposed to natural philosophy or similar), the right people were already in a college of liberal arts.
Why do arts and sciences go together? ›
By fostering a mindset of imagination and criticality, combined with building the technical skills to address practical problems, “Creating Art, Thinking Science” seeks to create the conditions for a more expansive version of technological optimism; a culture of innovation in which social and environmental ...
What jobs combine art and science? ›
List of Careers That Combine Art and Science
- Medical Illustrator. Medical illustrators play a crucial role in bridging the gap between art and science. ...
- Biomedical Engineer. ...
- Virtual Reality Designer. ...
- UX Designer. ...
- Market Research Analyst. ...
- Sustainability Consultant.
Art Courses After 12th Science
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- Bachelor of Event Management.
- Bachelor of Tourism Studies.
- Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA)
- Bachelor of Film and Television Production.
- Bachelor of Public Relations and Corporate Communication.
Arts & sciences majors tend to be flexible and adaptable and able to learn new skills quickly. The skills acquired through this type of education are transferable to many different careers and occupations. The College of Arts & Sciences provides many opportunities for career preparation.
What does teaching as an art and science mean? ›
But effective teaching is somewhere in the mixture of art and science. Science provides a knowledge base of ideas that are helpful, perhaps necessary, in learning to teach; however, teaching is a performance art that also requires experience, intuition, creativity, and a host of other artistic elements.
What is the difference in Bachelor of Arts and science? ›
While a BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree usually focuses on general studies, along with subjects like the arts, communication and sociology, a BS (Bachelor of Science) degree delves into topics such as business, technology and healthcare.
Is liberal arts the same as arts and sciences? ›
These core skills still make up the foundation of liberal arts education. Today, liberal arts includes majors in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and natural sciences — all fields that help students build critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
CLAS grads are essential to employers. 96% of our graduates are successful in finding jobs or being accepted to grad school within a year.
Why is the City of arts and sciences so famous? ›
The city of Valencia is one of Europe's largest centres for the dissemination of science and culture. It is made up of amazing buildings such as the Hemisfèric and the Oceanogràfic and stands out for its avant-garde architecture, work of the renowned Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela.
Can art and science coexist? ›
Another way that art and science are working together is through interdisciplinary collaboration. Artists and scientists are working together on research projects and experiments, combining their different skills and ways of looking at the world to learn more about and understand it.
What do art and science have in common? ›
At the most basic level, both artists and scientists strive to see the world in new ways, comprehend what they're seeing, and then communicate that vision. This is what drives them.
Should art and science be taught together? ›
Children love art and they express their emotions, their thoughts, and their knowledge when they draw. Utilizing art to teach Science is a fantastic idea because students learn that they can create images and be creative when learning facts and new concepts.
What are art and science subjects? ›
Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biology, Bio-statistics, Botany, Business Administration, Chemistry, Classics, Communication, Community Development, Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, Diplomacy, Ecology, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Epidemiology, Fine Arts, Forensic Biology, French, Geography, ...
Is Bachelor of Arts and science the same? ›
While a BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree usually focuses on general studies, along with subjects like the arts, communication and sociology, a BS (Bachelor of Science) degree delves into topics such as business, technology and healthcare.
What is a BAAS degree good for? ›
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science Jobs and Salary
If you choose a concentration in Communication Studies, you'll be a great fit for roles like project manager, event coordinator, public relations specialist, or even a marketing manager. These jobs offer competitive salaries.
What is an Applied Arts and sciences major? ›
However, the BAAS degree program is specifically designed to build upon a technical and applied sciences foundation. Unlike traditional BA or BS programs, BAAS degree programs incorporate technical skills that graduates can use immediately in the workforce.
