Virginia Arabic Language School
Our vision is to equip K-12 students in the DMV area with the language skills needed to engage with the Arab world while instilling Islamic education and values. We strive to cultivate a deep understanding of their faith within the context of their Western education and society.
Welcome to VALS!
Established in 1979 by 12 pioneering families, VALS emerged as a beacon of cultural and linguistic enrichment, driven by a fervent passion for the Arabic language and heritage. With humble beginnings at the Vienna Community Center, the school’s heartwarming story unfolds through the dedication of parent volunteers who fervently nurtured its growth. Over the years, VALS has blossomed into a nurturing community that celebrates the nuances of Arab culture and Islam, welcoming families from diverse backgrounds. This remarkable evolution saw the school embrace new horizons and venues, each chapter marked by steadfast commitment and a shared vision.
Our mission is to empower students with not only the language skills necessary to navigate the Arab world but also to instill the Islamic education and values that foster a deep understanding of their faith within the context of their Western education and society.
Through an enriching blend of immersion and engaging cultural activities, we create an environment where learning becomes a joyous journey. Lifelong friendships are forged here, connecting students and parents in a vibrant community that extends far beyond the classroom.
Nestled in the heart of Fairfax, VA, our Arabic and Islamic Sunday school serves as a cornerstone of knowledge and companionship. We extend a warm invitation to you, urging you to become a part of our close-knit family. Embark on this enlightening adventure, embracing the unique experiences and opportunities that come with growing up Arab and Muslim in the dynamic DC area.
Feel free to navigate through our website to learn about our curriculum, explore our schedule, familiarize yourself with our guiding principles, and meet the dedicated board members and teachers who fuel our educational journey.
Join us as we embark on a path of enlightenment, unity, and personal growth.
VALS at a Glance
The glories of Baghdad, Cordova, and Cairo in their golden age were the beacons of learning when Europe was in darkness.
Mark Twain (Writer & Humorist) – On Islamic Civilization
Our Arabic language, as I see it, is a magnificent musical language, flowing like a sweet river and shining like the radiant sun.
Khalil Gibran - Lebanese-American poet and philosopher
Curriculum Overview
VALS celebrated its 45 year anniversary in 2024 and has not only grown in these years with the number of enrolled students, but it has also grown in the structure we offer in the curriculum. We’ve provided an overview of the curriculum below, if you have any questions or require more detail about a particular level or age group please let us know.
Students aged 4 to 18 learn about Islam, the Arabic language, and culture. We teach conversational Arabic in fus’ha as well as reading, writing and grammatical rules in a fun atmosphere. As part of our curriculum, all our students have the opportunity to grow in their appreciation and knowledge of the Islamic and Middle Eastern culture as well as the history of Arab countries. We focus on approximately six cultural customs during the school year, giving our students the opportunity to appreciate handicrafts, graphic arts, poetry, dance, music and foods of Arab countries.
Islam
In Islam, our goal is that students grow to appreciate their religion and to practice good morals as young Muslims. Students at VALS will be taught the basic precepts of the Islamic religion. These include: the tenants of Islam, Islamic history, Islamic values and their implementation in our modern world, as well learning basic activities such as prayer, fasting, and the dos and don’ts in our religion. While there will be some memorization of a few small Surahs of the Qur’an required to aid the students in performing their prayers, the focus shall be on understanding the meanings of the Qur’an and its teachings rather than memorizing it. Teachers will educate on good behavior such as honesty, kindness, helpfulness, modesty and truthfulness. Due to our diverse student make up, we will steer clear of any controversial and potentially divisive topics, preferring instead to focus on the common and unifying precepts of the religion. Students are therefore required to follow the curriculum that will be provided by VALS and its instructors.
Arabic
The Goal of VALS Arabic Studies is for students to develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple sentences containing basic language structures. This communication is evidenced in all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - with emphasis on the ability to communicate orally. Each class level has an end of year objective as well as a topic list that the teacher uses to guide the lessons throughout the year. VALS is using the IQRA Arabic Reader Textbooks and Workbooks to supplement the teachers’ lessons in reading, For spoken fluency in the vernacular, we rely on the parents to teach their children at home in their preferred dialects—the students will naturally not be tested on this. We strongly encourage parents to work with their children on the homework assignments provided by the VALS instructors and to help them study for the required tests. New students will all be required to take a language assessment test in order to place them into the classes that best reflect their needs (students who have left VALS and wish to return are also required to take the assessment test).
Culture
Students will learn about various Arab countries, Arab culture and its commonalities, the basic history of Arabs, their civilization, and their contributions to world civilization at large. Students will be given opportunities to make their own presentations about topics assigned in the curriculum, as well as participating in various cultural activities to familiarize them with their culture.