Students ended being deficient in English and failed to meet minimum for admission. They were thus barred from joining the university though they qualified for admission in all other respects. To remedy this situation, Hariri Foundation devised intensive language programs to make it possible for students to overcome the language barrier as a prerequisite for university admission. This program comprised the following components. The program at AUB is unique because Hariri foundation has arranged to have the SET program instructors join teacher training sessions in Cyprus every summer.
Trainers are usually American or British TEFL experts.
The Preparatory Year Program. Hariri Foundation experts prepared this program and implemented it in 1986-87, its aim was to help students continue their education in French in Lebanon or in France. Both centers were provided with the most advanced audio-visual equipment and were run by highly trained instructors in France. 2777 students benefited from this program in France and 710 in Lebanon. The program was discontinued in 1991 after the security condition in the country was restored.