The American Association of Teachers of Arabic was organized in 1963 with the encouragement of the Modern Language Association, to promote study, criticism, research and instruction in the field of Arabic language and literature. It has worked toward these aims primarily through annual meetings and the publication of a newsletter An-Nashra. Begun eight years ago by a handful of interested teachers of arabic, the organization has since grown to a membership of almost 100 in 1970 including teachers of Arabic to Americans in Cairo and interested students who plan a future career which includes the teaching of Arabic.