Weekly Language Tables
The Center for Middle Eastern Studies hosts a weekly language table for each of our four main languages (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish). These tables provide an opportunity for students to practice their language skills in a more casual setting.
Days and times for each language table change on a semesterly basis, so make sure to ask your language professor or check here each semster for the updated information.
See details for the Fall 2026 semester below:
The Arabic weekly table is open to students who have completed at least 2 semesters of Arabic. Meet students from different classes to talk and discuss various topics. This table is not dialect specific and we encourage students to use whatever dialect they are comfortable with and/or MSA.
For the Fall 2026 semester, the Arabic Table will meet Fridays, 2-3pm in CAL 422.
Questions may be directed to Arabic Program Coordinator Dr. Olla Al-Shalchi (olla@austin.utexas.edu).
The Hebrew Roundtable is a weekly gathering for students to practice speaking Hebrew in a casual setting.
The Fall 2026 schedule is forthcoming
Questions may be directed to Dr. Avi Blitz (avi.blitz@austin.utexas.edu).
The Persian Table is a weekly informal meeting between Persian learners at the University of Texas at Austin, organized by advanced-level students. The objective of Persian Table meetings is to encourage students to form a community of Persian speakers and practice their language skills in actual conversations, regardless of their level of the language.
For the Fall 2026 semester, the Persian Table will meet from 4-5pm in CAL 516 on the following dates:
- Monday, September 14
- Monday, September 21
- Monday, September 28
- Monday, October 5
- Monday, October 12
- Monday, October 19
- Monday, November 2
- Monday, November 16
The Turkish Tea and Conversation Hour (Çay Saati) is an informal gathering for intermediate, advanced and native/heritage speakers of Turkish on the UT-Austin campus. It aims to facilitate Turkish language practice and foster intercultural friendships. Turkish tea is provided.
For the Fall 2026 semester, the Turkish table will meet from 12-1pm on the following dates in CAL 516 (unless otherwise noted)
Monday, Sept. 14 (meeting in CAL 300)
Monday, Sept. 21
Monday, Oct .12
Monday, Oct. 19
Monday Nov. 2
Monday Nov. 9
Monday Nov. 16
Monday Nov. 30
There will also be two Turkish-language film screenings this fall:
Friday, Oct. 2, 3:00-5:00 pm (CAL 516)
Friday, Oct. 30, 3:00-5:30 pm (CAL 516)
Questions may be directed to Dr. Jeannette Okur (jeannette.okur@austin.utexas.edu).