The number of college students enrolling in Arabic language classes has more than doubled in recent years, linguistic experts said.
Since the attacks on the World Trade Center six years ago, enrollment in Arabic language classes at the university-level has increased to more than 20,000 nationwide in 2006, according to projections from a study by the Modern Language Association that's expected to be released next month. In 1998, less than 6,000 U.S. students were enrolled in Arabic and less than 11,000 in 2002, according to the study.
Student enrollment in Arabic courses at ASU has increased by 25 percent —from 200 in spring 2007 to 250 this semester, said Souad Ali, head of classic and Middle East studies.
Students from various majors are interested in the Arabic studies program, which helps to produce qualified, much needed linguists, Ali said. Students at ASU must take 18 hours of Arabic to earn a certificate in the program.
"Graduate students in the liberal arts, social sciences and humanities seeking academic or professional careers in any of the three disciplines are also expected to be attracted to this [Arabic] Certificate," Ali said.
But the recent surge has left ASU officials in anticipation for growth and ready for improvement in the Arabic program at the School of International Letters and Cultures, Ali said. Currently, there are only two professors handling ASU's Arabic studies program.
Students are only able to receive a certificate in Arabic from the program now, but growing interest in the topic has sparked the push for more staff members and classes at the University, said Joe Cutter, director of the Chinese department.
"Once that happens, we should be able to move toward offering an Arabic major in [the school]," Cutter said in an e-mail. "Not only is the study of Arabic language and culture intrinsically valuable and interesting, it contributes to an understanding of Islamic culture."
Cutter, along with other faculty members, correlate the heightened interest in the Arabic language to the attacks on the World Trade Center and a growing concern for issues involving the Middle East.
"After September 11, it was clear that there was a need to grow the numbers of students with fluency in Arabic," Deborah Losse, ASU dean of the Division of Humanity said in an e-mail. "The faculty has plans to continue the development of curriculum and to continue to advance the study of Arabic."
Students enrolled in Arabic classes are not only furthering their knowledge and understanding of the Middle East, but are becoming prime applicants for the multitude of linguist positions open nationwide said Rosemary Feal, MLA executive director.
"It's a really smart and safe thing to do by enrolling in these [language] classes," Feal said. "With all these students studying foreign language, it's important to remember that we are in a country in which all sorts of languages are spoken."
German junior Ryan Harper, who is in his second semester of Arabic, said he wants to become an interpreter for the military banking company he works for.
"It can be really tough, but I think that no one being aware of it leads to a lack of communication," he said. "I've really enjoyed this class."
Reach the reporter at daniel.oconnor@asu.edu
