Browse Tag
Middlebury College
7 posts
Middlebury College: A private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including language schools and international studies.
Learning Hebrew as an Arabic Speaker: A Practical Guide to Grammar, Vocabulary, and the Alphabet
Learning Hebrew is much easier if you already know Arabic. This article reveals the strong connections between these Semitic languages, from shared roots and grammatical structures to alphabet similarities. It also uncovers a fascinating mistranslation in the Old Testament concerning Moses and the "Red Sea."
How to Retain Multiple Languages: Tips from a Polyglot Who Mastered Arabic
Polyglot Reginald Hefner shares strategies for maintaining many languages. He offers practical tips on routines, methods for skill retention, and overcoming challenges to prevent language decay.
Is Arabic a “Foreign Language” in America? Why ACTFL Should Rebrand to ‘World Languages’
This guest article argues the term "foreign language" is problematic in the U.S. due to its historical inaccuracy and marginalizing impact on bilingual individuals, including Arab-Americans. It advocates for ACTFL to adopt "World Languages" to reflect diverse linguistic realities.
Teaching Arabic in Germany vs. the US: An Expert’s Take on Methods and Curricula
This guest article features Paula Rötscher, an Arabic teacher in Germany. She compares Arabic teaching methods in Germany and the U.S., discusses popular textbooks like Al-Kitaab, and addresses the challenges and future of Arabic as a foreign language in German schools.
How Do You Say ‘To Be Very Red’ in Arabic? The Power of Verb Forms XI-XV
Often overlooked, Arabic verb forms XI to XV are crucial for a deeper understanding of the language. This guest article by Reginald Hefner explains these "rare" verbs, their meanings, and how they intensify expression in contemporary Arabic texts.
“Even dust accumulated becomes a mountain” | Reginald Hefner | 9273 Roots #13
He's a polyglot who worked as a Chinese and Japanese interpreter for the US government and attended Middlebury's Arabic school nine times. Reginald "Reggie" Hefner discusses his lifelong addiction to languages and his fascination with Arabic's rarest verb forms.
“I expect to serve in the Arab world so this feels like a wise investment of my time” | Ulric Shannon | 9273 Roots #11
He's the Canadian ambassador to Egypt who has served across the Middle East. Ulric Shannon discusses why studying Arabic is a "wise investment," his experience at Middlebury College, and his love for the complex literature of Taha Hussein and the "swagger" of the Lebanese dialect.
