Introductory diplomas

The introductory diploma is offered to absolute beginners in Arabic, Chinese and Russian.

It is also aimed at all those wishing to brush up on their language skills in order to acquire in one year the skills necessary for entry into a bachelor's degree, for which a good level of LV1 or LV2 in secondary school is recommended.
This diploma is prepared in 1 year and counts 30 ECTS credits. To register for an introductory diploma, click on the "Apply" button on this page and then choose "Apply for a school diploma".

Introductory diploma in Arabic

Introductory diploma in Arabic enables beginners and false beginners (less than 200 hours of lessons) to bring themselves up to the level required for entry into the bachelor's degree program at Inalco in just one year.
This is a high-level, demanding course.

  • The year is made up of two semesters of 13 weeks each. The course consists of 10h30 weekly lessons in literal Arabic and civilization. It's a demanding course, involving a great deal of personal work (10 to 15 hours a week in addition to class hours) and a good knowledge of French grammar.
  • The language program in the introductory diploma is based on the following textbook: Luc-Willy Deheuvels, Méthode d'Arabe - arabe littéral, L'Asiathèque, Paris, vol.1. The edition used is that of 2022, different from the previous edition!
  • It is strongly advised, before the start of the school year, to acquire and carefully read a basic French grammar textbook (Bescherelle or Bled type).

This introductory diploma is a selective course. To enroll, you need to create an account on Parcoursup and formulate your wish for the desired course. You will be able to formulate a wish during the main phase from January 18 to March 09, 2023 inclusive. The complementary phase of Parcoursup will take place from June 15, 2023 to September 12, 2023, subject to available places (for all applicants, neo-bacheliers or not).

The introductory diploma in Arabic is also offered by distance learning.
More information on distance training

Online placement test:
If you have some knowledge of Arabic and are hesitating between the introductory diploma and L1 (or between DL1 and DL2), we recommend you take the online placement test to guide your choice.

Given the selective nature of the introductory diploma, L1 students who have overestimated their level at the time of registration can only be reoriented to the lower level if they meet the admission criteria.

Introductory diploma in Chinese

The introductory diploma in Chinese is aimed at both absolute beginners and "false beginners". Acquiring this diploma enables them to then enroll in the 1st year of the Chinese LLCER license. 
Students without an introductory diploma who wish to enroll directly in L1 are invited to take the orientation tests, which will enable them to take stock of their written and spoken language skills, and assess their ability to profitably follow L1 teaching. Reference can be made to the Method of Chinese, first level (l'Asiathèque), the course material for the introductory year, for a more accurate assessment of the language skills required at the start of L1.
This test is not, however, necessary for baccalaureate holders from general streams who have taken Chinese LV1 or LV2 and obtained a mark of 14 or above in the baccalauréat.

Introductory diploma in Russian

The introductory diploma in Russian is an exclusive course aimed at beginners and false beginners wishing to acquire a good level of language practice in just one year. This level gives access to Russian written (with dictionary if necessary) and spoken texts, and enables active participation in exchanges conducted in a Russian-speaking environment.

This is a demanding course. In each of the 13-hour semesters, 11 hours a week of classes (practical and theoretical grammar, written and oral practice, language laboratory) are taught, based for the most part on materials developed by the teaching team itself. The amount of personal work required is considerable, as each session has to be prepared and revised at home from one week to the next. Classes are spread over two or three days of the week, depending on the group chosen. Practice classes take place in small sub-groups, allowing plenty of in-class intervention.

Please note: the level obtained in the introductory diploma is that required for Inalco's bachelor's degrees. Students without an introductory diploma who wish to enroll directly in the first year of the bachelor's program are invited to take the orientation test (via the applications page, "language orientation tests" tab). This test will enable them to assess their ability to profitably follow a Bachelor's degree course. However, this test is not necessary for baccalaureate holders from general streams who have taken Russian LV1 or LV2 and obtained a mark of 15 or above in the baccalauréat.