Since its creation, the Arab World Institute has received numerous requests from the French public wanting to discover an unknown culture as well as those wanting to strengthen their links with the Arab world and increase their knowledge of it. For both types of request, it was logical to provide the opportunity to learn the basics or to perfect one's knowledge through training using the right tools and educational approach. It is to fulfil this objective that the IMA opened its Language and Civilisation Centre in 1996. Various course options are provided in order to meet the needs and expectations of as wide an audience as possible.

Taking into account the linguistic reality of the Arab world, the IMA's Language and Civilisation Centre organises courses for beginners and advanced courses in classical Arabic and in Arab dialects (North African and Oriental).

The cultural aspect is naturally a part of this training - the discovery and progressive understanding of the societies concerned is one of the most attractive aims of teaching and learning Arabic as a living language.

There are also specific requests for courses on Arab civilisation independently of learning the language. This is why the Language and Civilisation Centre offers intensive courses on varied or specialist themes, the content is adapted according to the audience. These courses are organised in conjunction with academics and specialist researchers in the areas in question, and are based on the documentary resources and the other expertise of the IMA (cinema, library, Platform, museum, etc.).

Contact the Language Center

Image : Joss-Dray
copyright © 2002 Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris.