Arabic Beginners - Accelerated for finalists (LL390)
Summary
Level
- Students of heritage background (through learning the Qur'an or through family background)
- Good language learners who wish to challenge themselves
- It is the equivalent of Arabic 1 + Arabic 2 combined
Main Objectives
- To understand and communicate in familiar and routine situations, using frequently used expressions
- To develop strategies for language learning
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Additionally, students will research, analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, enhancing their cultural knowledge, as well as intercultural and cross-cultural competencies.
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Students will be working towards A2 standard of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
Credits
30 CREDITS
Teaching and Learning
Weekly blended sessions for 21 weeks consisting of:
- Two-hour face-to face class on campus and
- Two-hour online scheduled session
- Four online workshops, each lasting ninety minutes, spread across terms 1 and 2
- Some independent study will also be set
If health & safety restrictions are required, teaching may move online.
Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore the minimum expected amount of study is 240 hours, which averages over 10 hours per week. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required.
Assessment
Term 1: One interim test (10%)
Term 3: One reading/writing test (35%) + one speaking test (40%) + independent project (15%)
Main Tutor
Nabila Semouh: n.semouh@warwick.ac.uk
Course Books (must be bought by students)
- Mastering Arabic 1 (Book only) by Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar, 4th edition, ISBN 978-1-350-36726-5
- Mastering Arabic 2 (Book only); ISBN 978-1-352-00850-0
- Mastering Arabic 2 Activity Book, by Jane Wightwick & Mahmoud Gaafar; ISBN 978-1-352-00884-5
Course Description
Due to the 'accelerated' nature of the module, evidence of prior linguistic achievement (e.g. a high GCSE grade or A2 CEFR level in another European language) is essential.
Students will learn the basics of the Arabic language.
This will offer an opportunity for students to develop their communicative competence in Arabic. For those students intending to travel to Arabic-speaking countries, either for study or on work placements, this fast-paced module can promote confidence-building for communicating with native speakers abroad and helps you achieve a higher level of proficiency in one year than in non-accelerated modules.
The course will also involve a critical understanding of cultural contexts, analytical and reflective abilities in cross-cultural settings, and autonomous learning and effective resource management.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply basic knowledge of grammar
- Gain an insight into everyday life in the relevant countries
- Apply strategies for understanding gist and short description
- Interact about familiar topics and activities
- Write simple texts giving background information and relating to areas of immediate need
- Critically analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, demonstrating enhanced intercultural and cross-cultural competencies.
- Conduct and present independent research into Arabic culture and society
- Self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and manage resources.
Syllabus
Topics
This module will allow you to develop strategies for self-directed and autonomous learning, as well as an understanding of diverse cultural contexts and the ability to engage with and communicate on them thoughtfully and respectfully.
The topics Include greetings and introductions, talking about your family, describing things and places, professions, polite requests, obtaining directions, likes and dislikes, means of transport, shopping, food and drink, the weather, describing past events, daily routine, describing your childhood, describing your home, talking about jobs, sports and leisure, travel and tourism, clothing and fashion, education, the environment, health, and arts.
Grammar
Including gender, personal pronouns, attached pronouns, idafa phrases, basic sentence structures, prepositions, the use tenses, weak verbs, interrogative particles, some plural forms (sound and broken plurals), negation, the use of cases (nominative, accusative, and genitive), verb patterns, and derivation of other parts of speech.
Subject-specific and transferable skills
- Written and spoken communication
- Strategies for understanding gist and specific information
- Problem solving, Self-awareness, Communication, Teamwork, Information literacy, Digital literacy, Sustainability, Ethical values, Intercultural awareness, Professionalism
Can count towards the Warwick Award
