McGill.CA / Institute of Islamic Studies

Language Courses

Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu Language Courses
 

The Institute of Islamic Studies offers Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu language courses, available to both undergraduate and graduate students.

All language courses are subject to the Regulations for registration in Language Courses offered at the Institute of Islamic Studies.
 

How do I enroll in a language course?

You need to submit both forms for the introductory level Arabic.

  1. Read the following language regulations: Regulations for registration in Language Courses offered at the Institute of Islamic Studies [pdf]
  2. Fill out and submit a Language Approval Form - Note: For all levels of Arabic and Turkish language courses, you need to log in with your McGill email address and password.
  3. Fill out and submit the Language Waiver Form - Note: For introductory Arabic and Turkish language courses, you need to log in with your McGill email address and password.
  4. Schedule a placement test (if applicable).
  5. Wait for results which will be sent to you by email.

 

 

Arabic

 

ISLA 221D1. Introductory Arabic.

Credits: 4.5
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic, including pronunciation and reading and writing of the Arabic script; and speaking and comprehension of basic sentences, commands, statements in the present tense.
  • Prerequisites: Permission of the Institute required.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA521D1/D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 221D1 and ISLA 221D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students must register for both ISLA221D1 and ISLA 221D2.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 221D2. Introductory Arabic.

Credits: 4.5
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 221D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 221D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 221D1 and ISLA 221D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students must register for both ISLA221D1 and ISLA 221D2.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 322D1. Lower Intermediate Arabic.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Speech, comprehension, reading and writing of more complex grammatical structures, including the conditional sentence, case endings, and verbs and verbal constructions.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 221D1/D2 or ISLA 521D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the Institute.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 522 or ISLA 522D1/D2.
  • Students must register for both ISLA322D1 and ISLA 322D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 322D1 and ISLA 322D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • ISLA 322D1 and ISLA 322D2 together are equivalent to ISLA 322
  • Students are expected to have knowledge of basic Arabic grammar and vocabulary.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 322D2. Lower Intermediate Arabic.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 322D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite:ISLA 322D1, ISLA 221D1/D2 or ISLA 521D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the Institute.
  • Students must register for both ISLA322D1 and ISLA 322D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 322D1 and ISLA 322D2are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • ISLA 322D1 and ISLA 322D2 together are equivalent to ISLA 322
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 522 or ISLA 522D1/D2.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 322. Lower Intermediate Arabic.

Credits: 6
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Speech, comprehension, reading and writing of more complex grammatical structures, including the conditional sentence, case endings, and verbs and verbal constructions.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 221D1/D2 or ISLA 521D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the Institute.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 522 or ISLA 522D1/D2.
  • Students are expected to have knowledge of basic Arabic grammar and vocabulary.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 423D1. Higher Intermediate Arabic.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Introduction to advanced grammatical constructions and vocabulary through readings of longer texts in Arabic, as well as conversation, and exposure to video/audio cultural materials. Continued exposition of Arabic grammar, including active and passive participles, conjunction of irregular verbs, and active and passive voices.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 322D1/D2 or ISLA 322 or ISLA 522D1/D2 or ISLA 522 or placement test or permission of the instructor.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 523D1/D2.
  • Fall and Winter
  • Students must register for both ISLA 423D1 and ISLA 423D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 423D1 and ISLA 423D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
  • Students are expected to have knowledge of intermediate-level Arabic grammar and vocabulary.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 423D2. Higher Intermediate Arabic.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 423D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 423D1
  • Fall and Winter
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 423D1 and ISLA 423D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
  • Students are expected to have knowledge of intermediate-level Arabic grammar and vocabulary.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 524. Advanced Arabic 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Advanced level of the Arabic language study.
  • Note: Language of instruction is Arabic.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 423D1/D2 or ISLA 523D1/D2 or ISLA 623D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the instructor
  • Note: Language of instruction is Arabic.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 525. Advanced Arabic 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Advanced level of the Arabic language study.
  • Note: Language of instruction is Arabic.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 524 or placement test or permission of the instructor.
  • Note: Language of instruction is Arabic.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder
 
 

ISLA 241D1. Introductory Persian.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Introduction to the Persian language, beginning with pronouncing, reading and writing the Persian script, and moving to vocabulary and grammatical structures needed to communicate in simple dialogues, read simple texts, and write simple paragraphs.
  • Prerequisite: Placement test or permission of the instructor
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 541 D1/D2.
  • Students must register for both ISLA 241D1 and ISLA 241D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 241D1 and ISLA 241D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 241D2. Introductory Persian.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 241D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 241D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 241D1 and ISLA 241D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 342D1. Lower Intermediate Persian.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Speech, comprehension, and reading and writing of more complex grammatical structures, embedded within a variety of short authentic Persian texts.
  • Prerequisite(s): ISLA 241D1/D2 or ISLA 541D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the instructor.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 542D1/D2.
  • Students must register for both ISLA 342D1 and ISLA 342D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 342D1 and ISLA 342D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students are expected to have knowledge of basic Persian grammar and vocabulary.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 342D2. Lower Intermediate Persian.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 342D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 342D1 and ISLA 241D1/D2 or ISLA 541D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the instructor.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 342D1 and ISLA 342D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 443D1. Upper Intermediate Persian.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Introduction to authentic texts about Persian culture, history, geography, politics, arts, and other topics relevant to Iran, as well as canonical poems of various modern and classical poets, and selected Persian proverbs and their meanings and connotations.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 342D1/D2 or ISLA 542D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the instructor.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 543 and ISLA 544.
  • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.
  • Students must register for both ISLA 443D1 and ISLA 443D2
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 443D1 and ISLA 443D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 443D2. Upper Intermediate Persian.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 443D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 443D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 443D1 and ISLA 443D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 545. Advanced Persian 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Advanced level of Persian language study.
  • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 443D1/D2, or ISLA 543, or ISLA 544, or ISLA 643D1/D2, or placement test, or permission of instructor.
  • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 546. Advanced Persian 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Advanced level of Persian language study.
  • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 545 or placement test or permission of the instructor.
  • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder
 
 
 
 

Turkish

 

ISLA 232D1. Introductory Turkish.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Introduction to speaking and comprehension of basic sentences, commands, statements in the present and future tenses. Introduction to simple daily conversations.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA532 D1/D2.
  • Students must register for both ISLA232D1 and ISLA 232D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 232D1 and ISLA 232D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 232D2. Introductory Turkish.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 232D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 232D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 232D1 and ISLA 232D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 333D1. Lower Intermediate Turkish.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Listening comprehension, reading, and writing of more complex grammatical structures, including the subjunctive, future, and past tenses.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 232D1/D2 or ISLA 532D1/D2 or permission of the Institute.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 533D1/D2.
  • Students must register for both ISLA333D1 and ISLA 333D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 333D1 and ISLA 333D2 are successfully completed inconsecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 333D2. Lower Intermediate Turkish.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 333D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 333D1, ISLA 232D1/D2 or ISLA 532D1/D2 or permission of the Institute.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 333D1 and ISLA 333D2 are successfully completed inconsecutive terms.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 533D1/D2.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 434D1. Higher Intermediate Turkish.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Contemporary cultural texts in Turkish, including literature and media. Reading materials supported by audio visual media featuring modern spoken Turkish.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 333D1/D2 or ISLA 533D1/D2 or permission of the instructor.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 534D1/D2.
  • Students must register for both ISLA 434D1 and ISLA 434D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 434D1 and ISLA 434D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 434D2. Higher Intermediate Turkish.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 434D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 434D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 434D1 and ISLA 434D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 535D1. Advanced Turkish.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Language acquisition - advanced Turkish.
  • Students must register for both ISLA 535D1 and ISLA 535D2
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 535D1 and ISLA 535D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Prerequisites: ISLA 434D1/D2 or ISLA 534D1/D2 or ISLA 634D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 535D2. Advanced Turkish.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

See ISLA 535D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 535D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 535D1 and ISLA 535D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder
 

Urdu

 

ISLA 251D1. Introductory Urdu-Hindi.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Introduction to Urdu-Hindi language including pronunciation and reading and writing of either Urduor Hindi script, speaking and comprehension of basic sentences, commands, statements in the present tense.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA551D1/D2.
  • Students must register for both ISLA251D1 and ISLA 251D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 251D1 and ISLA 251D2are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 251D2. Introductory Urdu-Hindi.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

See ISLA 251D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 251D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 251D1 and ISLA 251D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 352D1. Intermediate Urdu-Hindi.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Speech, comprehension, and reading and writing of more complex grammatical structures, including the subjunctive, future, and past tenses.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 251D1/D2 or ISLA 551D1/D2 or placement test or permission of the instructor.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 552D1/D2.
  • Students must register for both ISLA352D1 and ISLA 352D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 352D1 and ISLA 352D2 are successfully completed inconsecutive terms.
  • Students are expected to have knowledge of basic Urdu-Hindi grammar and vocabulary.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 352D2. Intermediate Urdu-Hindi.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

See ISLA 352D1 for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 352D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 352D1 and ISLA 352D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
  • Students are expected to have knowledge of basic Urdu-Hindi grammar and vocabulary.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 553. Advanced Urdu-Hindi 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Builds upon Intermediate Urdu-Hindi to introduce students to advanced grammatical constructions through reading of longer texts in the Urdu or Hindi script, conversation, and video/audio cultural materials.
  • Prerequisites: ISLA 352D1/D2 or ISLA 552D1/D2 or ISLA 652D1/D2 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder

ISLA 554. Advanced Urdu-Hindi 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Advanced study of grammatical constructions through reading long texts in the Urdu or Hindi script, conversation, and video/audio cultural materials.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 553 or permission of the instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Launch Visual Schedule Builder
 
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