{"id":623,"date":"2022-12-13T19:28:14","date_gmt":"2022-12-13T19:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/?page_id=623"},"modified":"2026-04-03T13:40:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T20:40:17","slug":"languages","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/languages\/","title":{"rendered":"Languages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n  \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--interactive-content-pane \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--interactive-content-pane\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n  <div class=\"left\">\n      \n    <div class=\"pagination-wrapper\">\n      <ul class=\"interactive-content-pane-pagination\"><\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"right\">\n          <div class=\"swiper\">\n        <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Arabic\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>With fourteen foreign languages taught at USC, why should you choose Arabic?<\/p>\n<p>-Arabic is an official language of the United Nations; with 420 million native speakers, Arabic is the 5th most common language in the world<\/p>\n<p>-Gain critical language skills applicable in 22 countries and participate in the active economic growth of the Arab world<\/p>\n<p>-Work in a variety of fields such as journalism, business, education, finance and banking, translation, foreign service, and so much more<\/p>\n<p>Arabic provides opportunities for research and communication from NW Africa to Iraq and the Persian Gulf and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Persian\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Persian has been one of the most important languages of Asia for more than a thousand years.<\/p>\n<p>-The official language of Iran and Tajikistan<\/p>\n<p>-One of the two official languages of Afghanistan<\/p>\n<p>-The language of nearly 100 million native speakers<\/p>\n<p>-A major literary language of India for centuries<\/p>\n<p>-A vehicle for poetry, philosophy, the sciences, and Islamic literature<\/p>\n<p>Study Persian at USC and communicate with Persian speakers on their own terms. Understand modern Iran and its neighbors with an insider\u2019s perspective. Get direct access to some of the world\u2019s greatest and most influential literature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Placement Exams\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>The Language Center offers placement exams every semester. Please book your <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/languages\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">appointment here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t miss out on learning Arabic or Persian in our top-ranked programs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Study Abroad\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Applications for Fall 2027 will open in December and will be due in February 2027!<\/p>\n<p>Please\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amideastedabroad.org\/syllabi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here for syllabi<\/a>. Instructions to apply are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/overseas-studies-events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">found here<\/a>. See the 3 locations below:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/studenttravelabroad.usc.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&amp;id=10074\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amman, Jordan (AMIDEAST)<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/studenttravelabroad.usc.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&amp;id=10074\"><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/studenttravelabroad.usc.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&amp;id=10073\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amman, Jordan, (CIEE)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/studenttravelabroad.usc.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&amp;id=10076\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rabat, Morocco (AMIDEAST)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Contact Peter Hilton for more information:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/philton@usc.edu\">philton@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"background-images\">\n          <div class=\"swiper swiper-background-images\">\n        <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Center_for_International_and_Public_Affairs_20221020_01-768x432.png\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Center_for_International_and_Public_Affairs_20221020_01-1280x720.png 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Center_for_International_and_Public_Affairs_20221020_01-768x432.png 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        role=\"presentation\"\n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Doheny_Memorial_Library_20221019_08-2-768x432.png\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Doheny_Memorial_Library_20221019_08-2-768x432.png 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        role=\"presentation\"\n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Michelson_Hall_20221020_01-768x432.png\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Michelson_Hall_20221020_01-1280x720.png 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Michelson_Hall_20221020_01-768x432.png 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        role=\"presentation\"\n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1401-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1401-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1401-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1401-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--video-with-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--video-with-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          In the Department of Middle East Studies, our faculty teach Arabic and Persian, from beginning to advanced levels, in our top-ranked language training programs.\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Fashioned into a cohort-model, our students communicate with Persian and Arabic speakers, gain an insider&#8217;s perspective of region&#8217;s history and culture, and get direct access to some of the world\u2019s greatest and most influential literature.<\/p>\n<p>They learn these vital languages, taking their training to study abroad in countries like Morocco or Jordan and as stepping stones into their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n\n      <div class=\"video-container\">\n              <div class=\"image-container\">\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/44444-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/44444-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/44444-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/44444-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=r2s_xjV2A2M\" data-lity aria-label=\"Play video in lightbox\" class=\"play-video\">\n              <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 75 75\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 75 75\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                <rect fill=\"#FFCC00\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"\/>\n                <polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"44.4,37.5 34.2,43.9 34.2,31.1 \"\/>\n              <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n      \n    <\/div>\n\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--quote \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--quote\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          From our student\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>Paxton Lambright (Middle East Studies and Global Studies with an Arabic Minor)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Since graduation, Paxton relocated to Washington D.C. to begin her career in international development. Currently, she works with the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders\u2019 Reciprocal Exchange component to support the formation of partnerships and mutual understanding between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n\n  <div class=\"quote-container\">\n\n    <div class=\"left\">\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description quote\">\n\n    \n  <p>As a Middle East Studies major and Arabic minor, I found my home in the Middle East Studies Department at USC with great faculty and peers. During my semester abroad in Jerusalem, I spoke both Arabic and Hebrew daily and developed a critical and nuanced perspective that has continued to serve me in my career beyond graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/www.irex.org\/people\/paxton-lambright\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Learn More About Her Work!\"  \n>\n    Learn More About Her Work! \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n\n          <div class=\"image-container\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/fypymoma.jpg\"\n                    data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-623","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - 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