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Copyright 2005 HCC offering Arabic language courseBYLINE: LINDA CONNER LAMBECK BRIDGEPORT It's the native tongue of an estimated 215 million people worldwide and the families of at least 72 city school children. Now, the rudiments of conversational Arabic are being taught at Housatonic Community College. Since 9-11, I've been interested in offering it for the community or anyone doing public service work, said Deborah S. Kresge, coordinator for continuing education at the college. I also think it's good for homeland security. A six-week, non-credit course in Arabic that will start April 2 marks the fifth time since the fall of 2003 that the course has run. The course costs $99. On average, the course draws a handful of students each time. Most are Housatonic students who see flyers for the course. Few have been the business people the college hoped to attract. In addition to recognizing and reading the Modern Standard Arabic alphabet which is read from right to left the instructor, Lutfieh Abou Alnasr offers her class a little bit of the culture of her native Syria and Islamic religion. Although they must learn an entirely different alphabet, Abou Alnasr said by the end of the course, most students have advanced to the point that they can read words, make some sentences and know what they are saying. Of course, it is hard for American people to learn, but if they follow the rules it becomes easy, Abou Alnasr said, adding that having small classes, helps. Everyone can take time to understand and know everyone, said Abou Alnasr, who also teaches at an Islamic Saturday program that rents space at the University of Bridgeport. Although Arabic is offered at Yale, the University of Connecticut and some other four-year colleges, it is believed to be an unusual offering for a two-year college. David Reilly, 68, of Shelton, can't understand why. He said he took the course last year because he thinks Arabic is an important language to learn. Already fluent in Chinese, Reilly concedes Arabic was a challenge. But it left him wanting an intermediate class. So far, Housatonic has only had the numbers to offer Arabic II once. Lorraine Abd Elnalek of Shelton took the beginners class because her husband is Egyptian and she plans to visit his homeland next year. It's a very difficult language but our instructor
was very patient, said Abd Elnalek. She broke it down to make it as simple as possible. There
was a lot of By the end of the course, Abd Elnalek said she could recognize letters and words. Kresge said the course is one of six fast-track, no-nonsense language courses offered to people who want to build foreign language skills. Each course is six weeks long with 12 hours of instruction. Also offered this spring at Housatonic are non-credit courses in Chinese, French, Italian, German and Spanish. For more information about the courses, contact Deborah Kresge at 332-5150. Anson C. Smith
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