Top Priority

Reading and memorizing Qur'an. This is the single most important thing you can do before the program starts. The more fluent your reading, and the more you have memorized, the better it will be for you during the course of the program.

Secondary

Work on Arabic handwriting and typing skills.

Tertiary

From a current student:

I'd highly recommend going over units 1 and 2 videos that are avaliable on the bayyinah online learning site. Don't listen to them causually--truly try to understand what's on the videos for maximum benefit. Additonally, read as much Quran as you can. Make it a point to read some every single day.

A laptop or computer is highly recommended, but not necessary. Students should also bring a 2 to 3 inch binder, plenty of spiral notebooks, folders, calendar/planner, and general school supplies including pens, pencils, and highlighters. Most students will also find it convenient to have a small printer.

Students should also bring a mushaf, and a translation of the Quran for reference.

Yes. Public transportation is not readily available, and even simple things such as getting groceries will be difficult without a car. If you do not have a car, you would need to make sure and room with someone who does and work this out ahead of time.

There are no official restrictions, but students who worked on the side during 2010-2011 found it extremely challenging to manage work along with their studies. It is highly recommended to not work during the course of the program.

From a mother who took our program:

Typically sisters and mothers ask "What about us?"

Alhumdulilah, while at Bayyinah I really appreciated and valued the consideration extended to the sisters.

We were treated with extreme respect and care, and given an equal opportunity to learn within an Islamic environment.

Seated in the main hall, directly facing our instructor (with a partition between us and the brothers), we were able to comfortably learn, ask questions, add our opinions, comments etc.

I also felt the challenge of studying with children was eased because of the comfortable environment and kid friendly rooms built to facilitate learning for mothers & fathers alike.

I pray that Allah swt continues to bless this institute and encourage sisters & brothers, moms & dads to join this program knowing their investment will be worthwhile and truly rewarding inshAllah.

The Bayyinah campus has mothers and fathers rooms set up on campus if a parent needs to watch their infant or toddler during class hours. Attending the class in this manner will take a high level of sacrifice and commitment from the family. The mothers/fathers rooms have audio and video feed of the presentation, but you will not have the same class-time access to the instructor as other students. A number of families this year brought an outside babysitter or extra family member to help with just watching their kids. This is allowable, as long as the babysitter’s information is forwarded to Bayyinah in advance.

Another parent offered the following advice:

Alhumdulillah, my wife and I have been attending the class with my 5 month old daughter. The mother and fathers rooms have been an awesome addition to the campus, without which one of us probably wouldn’t have been able to attend the course. However, I would highly recommend future students to look for a babysitter to help watch their children during school hours. The administration has been kind enough to let authorized babysitters stay in the mothers room during class hours, allowing the mothers to attend the classes and go in/out when needed by their children. Every family with small children is relying on help with babysitting. I have the help of my mother, May Allah reward her, who comes and helps my wife and daughter. Other sisters have hired babysitters. Though my wife can listen to the lectures when she is in the mothers room, having to do so full-time, would be very difficult, especially during classes that demand student interaction, such as the conversational Arabic course. Also, doing this with a small child definitely requires an understanding between husband and wife. During the class hours, it is the mother that has all the distractions and misses much of class, so it really requires an understanding on the husbands side to help their wives make up material after school hours. I would definitely encourage parents to enroll in the program, as long as they have that mutual understanding and support, as well as some type of help with babysitting

 

Check it out - Dream accomplishments video.

 

In addition to the regular class hours, students can expect to put an additional 2 hours (minimum) daily into studying. Many students spend 3-4 hours on a daily basis. In addition study for the weekly exams can sometimes be 4-6 hours based.

There is no model of an ‘ideal’ student. We understand and acknowledge that everyone has different goals and motivations for studying Arabic. We are primarily looking for people who are dedicated, serious, and studious. Know your commitment level. Studying 12 hours a day for so many months is not easy. Students need to be really committed before they decide on applying.

Yes. But international students must provide proof and documentation that they can reside in the US for the duration of the program before we are able to issue an acceptance.