Daniel Zitnick

Daniel Zitnick is a Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern Studies at Wellesley College, specializing in Arabic language pedagogy aligned with second language acquisition research. He teaches elementary Arabic and advanced courses, emphasizing authentic cultural engagement and sociocultural context in language learning.

• MA in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (University of Michigan)
• MA in Modern Middle Eastern Studies (University of Michigan)

His research focuses on women's rights and Islamic legal scholarship in Saudi Arabia, particularly examining gender segregation debates. He integrates contemporary pedagogical methods with traditional language instruction, prioritizing student engagement and communicative competence.

Current courses include:

• Advanced Arabic II (ARAB302)
• Elementary Arabic (ARAB102)

Zitnick's teaching philosophy combines authentic materials with interactive learning, aiming to make Arabic language acquisition both effective and enjoyable through cultural activities and self-expression.