Who is Sherif Shabaka?

Sherif Shabaka, Director
(picture taken in 2004)

I have been teaching Arabic in the Boston area with great reviews from my students. I primarily teach classes at the Boston Language Institute, although I have taught classes for other organizations as well.

I started this school because I am excited to spread knowledge about Arabic. People learn Arabic for many reasons, but I hope that students will learn the rich capability for expression provided by Arabic, and experience the logic of Arabic grammar.

I have developed the curriculum for my classes. In addition to my innovative ways of explaining Arabic grammar rules, I incorporate movie clips and other supplemental materials. I have also used the following textbooks: Arabic for English-Speaking Students (by Muhammad Abdul-Rauf), Al-Kitaab (Georgetown Univ. Press, Washington , DC ), and Mastering Arabic (Hippocrene Books, New York ).  Students have reported to me that they learned more from me in an 8-week session than they did in a whole year elsewhere, at a respected institution.

I lived in Cairo, Egypt for the first 36 years of my life. I received formal training through the following coursework, where I further developed my natural ability with Arabic. I also have a bachelor's degree from Ainshams University in Cairo.

1990–1993      Faculty of Arabic and Islamic studies, Al Azhar University; studied Arabic language grammar, Sharia law, Islamic law history, Feqh, Seerah, Hadith, and Qur’an sciences.

1991–1992      Faculty of Dar El Uloum, Cairo University ; studied Arabic language grammar and poetry rules.