Samuel Liebhaber

Ustadh Sam is extremely passionate about teaching Arabic and sharing Arabic music (especially Yemeni music and culture) with us. He really encourages us to use dialects in skits and speaking exercises to give us insights to how Arabic native speakers actually use their language. Ustadh Sam is also very meticulous and straightforward in explaining the grammar. However, since he usually allocates relatively more time in speaking and listening exercises, I suggest you constantly self-review and reinforce the grammar rules on the textbook.

Ustadh Sam is extremely passionate about teaching Arabic and sharing Arabic music (especially Yemeni music and culture) with us. He really encourages us to use dialects in skits and speaking exercises to give us insights to how Arabic native speakers actually use their language. Ustadh Sam is also very meticulous and straightforward …Read more

This course, for me, was not only a rich, thorough introduction to Arabic language and culture, but it also opened doors to a new world of academic interest, professional opportunity, and meaningful social experience. Ustadh Sam is an incredible instructor, his passion for the study is evident in the enthusiasm and expertise of his lectures. He guided us through the course material during class, explaining key concepts, reviewing vocabulary, facilitating group activities and dialogues, etc. It is important to note that for this particular course, Beginning Arabic I, students should expect to receive about 60-90 minutes of homework daily following each lecture. It seems tedious, but I can assure you that it is well worth the time and effort. In order to form a strong foundation in the language, you must have such consistent practice. Students should also expect a weekly quiz to assess knowledge of content taught through the previous week. There are also extracurricular components to the course; for instance, students must attend language tables each week and attend at least three cultural events during the semester. Of course, attending is a wonderful way to learn about culture across the Arab world. It also gives you the chance to get to know other faculty members, the teaching assistant, and students in the department. I highly recommend this course to students who are open and willing to make the commitment to this challenging yet exceptionally rewarding path of study.

This course, for me, was not only a rich, thorough introduction to Arabic language and culture, but it also opened doors to a new world of academic interest, professional opportunity, and meaningful social experience. Ustadh Sam is an incredible instructor, his passion for the study is evident in the enthusiasm and expertise of his l …Read more

If you're looking for a language at Middlebury, I would AVOID Arabic, the professors are fine at best. The minor requires the most classes of any minor at Midd, nine classes, where all other departments require 5-6. Also Sam is just not good a good prof, he is elitist and rude