College schedules Arabic class for the first time
Jennifer Massey
Staff Writer
Staffwriter3@occc.edu
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
Cassie Goff shows her name written in the Arabic alphabet. The Arabic alphabet is the second-most widely used alphabet in the world, after the Latin alphabet.
Courtesy Encyclopaedia Britannica online
A language spoken by more than 250 million people worldwide will be offered for the first time this spring.
Arabic, an eight-week course, will begin March 22, right after spring break, said Dianne Broyles, modern languages professor.
“We wanted to offer lesser-taught languages,” Broyles said, “This was our way of branching out a little bit.”
Although Cassie Goff doesn’t believe any language can be learned in eight weeks, the bilingual student is happy the college is offering a class in the Arabic language, which Goff already speaks fluently.
Born in Anchorage, Alaska, the general studies major said she spent the first 11 years of her life on American military bases in Saudi Arabia.
Goff reminisced about her time there, and why she feels learning about Arabic culture and language is so important.
“A lot of people in America have a hatred of Arabs because of 9/11,” Goff said. “People just don’t understand it ... I felt safer over there than I ever have here.”
Goff said she was taught English and Arabic as a child in school, and feels the experience of learning multiple languages and learning about various cultures has taught her to be more open.
Goff said there are many reasons to learn Arabic and she encouraged OCCC students to think about taking the class.
Broyles echoed her sentiments.
“We really ought to offer Arabic — and not just for military and security reasons,” she said.
Broyles said so far, only five people have enrolled in the Arabic class. For a class to be held, there must be at least 10 students enrolled, she said.
There are many reasons to learn Arabic including its growing use in business and travel, Broyles said.
Melanie Clason, early childhood education major, agrees.
“I don’t think it would hurt us as Americans to learn the language,” Clason said. “Diversity is so broad in America that learning about other cultures is necessary.”
It also offers students more choices, said Krystal Nall, elementary education major.
Chiaki Troutman, World Languages and Cultures Center lab assistant, said the idea to offer the class came from student suggestions.
Students requested an Arabic course in the Languages Center, Troutman said.
If enough students enroll, the three-credit hour class will meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
This course is for students who want to learn the basics of speaking, writing and reading Arabic, Broyles said.
It is a basic introductory class that would fulfill a general education requirement.
For more information, contact Broyles at 405-682-1611, ext. 7657.
