The primary goal of the textbook is to teach non-native speakers of Arabic the basic rules of writing, reading, and accurately pronouncing the alphabet of the complex standard (fuṣ-ḥá - literary - grammatical) Arabic language, as used by native Arab intellectuals in modern times. It methodically presents basic equational - nominal and verbal sentences as employed in the modern standard Arabic. The textbook includes a variety of charts, drills, appendixes, a vocabulary list of over 425 words, applicable proficiency tests, and a CD, to help the beginner student skillfully master all entailed materials.

About the author

Ḍirghām Ḥ. Sbait is a Professor of Arabic/Semitic Languages, Literatures, & Folklore. He obtained his Ph.D. in Arabic Literature from the University of Washington, in 1982. He has been professionally teaching the Arabic/Semitic languages and literatures since 1967. He taught native speakers of Arabic in various high schools in Galilee until 1975, and undergraduate and graduate students of Arabic at the University of Washington, UCLA, and Portland State University, from 1975 till the present.

Dr. Sbait published several scholarly works in major international journals mainly dealing with the folk literature of the Palestinians. One of his major essays, "Palestinian Wedding Songs" was published in the "Garland Encyclopedia of World Music," Vol. 6: The Middle East.

Professor Sbait is the recipient of the 2003 George Hoffmann Award for Faculty Excellence; the Hoffmann is an annual award granted to one faculty member campus-wide at Portland State University.