Arabic 1 (LL131)
Summary
Level:
Absolute Beginner. Please note, final year students are not normally permitted to take non-accelerated beginners modules.
Main Objectives:
By the end of the module, students will:
- Understand some of the main features of Arabic-speaking societies and how the Arabic language reflects these.
- Gain an elementary understanding of Arabic sentence construction and be able to apply this in spoken and written formulation of simple, everyday language.
- Develop a reasonable standard of pronunciation.
- Be able to recognise common signs and formal indicators.
- Recognise and use Arabic script in context and be able to compose short dialogues and notes.
Credits:
This 30 CREDIT module is also available for 24 CREDITS.
Teaching:
3 hours language class each week for 21 weeks.
Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore the minimum expected amount of study is 240 hours, which averages 10 hours per week. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required.
Tutor:
Mohammed Dayoub
Course Books (must be bought by students)
- Mastering Arabic Book by Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar: ISBN 978-1-137-38044-9
- CD- Pack: ISBN 9781137380432
- Book and CD pack: ISBN 978-1-137-38045-6
- Mastering Arabic 1 Activity Book; ISBN 978-1-137-37226-0
A copy can be purchased from the University Bookshop, telephone: (024) 7652 3388.
Additional Material (Recommended)
- Mastering Arabic Grammar by Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar ISNB 978-1-4039-4109-1
- Internet interactive material supplied by teacher.
- Teacher's handouts.
- Moodle (online supplementary material for independent learning)
Course Description
Arabic Level 1 is a course that aims at developing students’ basic skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar. The course is based on Modern Standard Arabic which is a key variety that is understood across the Arab World despite the variations in dialects. An appreciation of the deviation between MSA and the dialects will be explained and some processes of the main differences will be introduced. Based on a step-by-step approach, the course is divided into learning blocks each of which focuses on practical, useful and manageable language. You will develop cultural awareness of the Arabic speaking world. You will have access to online resources for a more independent learning. Homework tasks will be set each week to consolidate what you have learnt in the class. The course is designed only for students who have no previous knowledge of the language. Students with certificate in Arabic such as GCSE will not be permitted.
Learning Outcomes
General: Developing students’ basic skills in all competencies that are delivered through specific contexts ranging from talking about your selves to expressing likes and dislikes.
Reading: Appreciation of the sound system of the language particularly those peculiar to Arabic, then moving into the basic structure of words and into the basic sentence structure. By the end of the course students will have the ability to read with confidence basic short texts covered in the various contexts of the course.
Writing: Understand the basic principles and rules governing writing, with ability to shape letters correctly and move gradually into the written word and phrase. Students will be able to produce a short text of 70-80 words.
Speaking: Will have the ability to produce the special Arabic sounds as well as talking about yourselves, your studies, country, professions, family, and other contexts outlined above.
Listening: Ability to understand simple dialogues around basic contexts, such as travel, studies, personal information, etc.
Syllabus
Topics
- Getting Started: Greetings; letters of the alphabet : group 1 ( ب ت ث ن ي )
- Introducing yourself: countries and nationalities
- Putting words together; letters of the alphabet: group 2 ( ا د ذ ر ز و )
- The family; letters of the alphabet: group 3 ( ج ح خ ه م )
- Professions; joining letters; letters of the alphabet: group 4 ( س ش ص ض )
- Describing things: letters of the alphabet: group 5 ( ف ق ك ل )
- Polite requests; using public transport
- Where is it? Letters of the alphabet: group 6 ( ط ظ ع غ )
- Asking for and giving directions; describing places
- Likes and dislikes
- Counting things: In the market; shopping for food
- Going Shopping: understanding prices, weights and measurements
- Colours: shopping for clothes
- Going out: ordering food and drink
- Telling the time
- Days of the week; months of the year
- Describing your daily routine
- Comparatives and Superlataives
- Future plans
Pronunciation
- Short and long vowels: Fathah, Dammah and Kasrah
- length phenomenon: vowels and consonants
- Tanween, Shadda and Sukuun
- Sun and Moon letters
- Special Arabic Sounds
Grammar
- Gender
- Personal pronouns
- Attached pronouns
- Nominal sentences
- The definite article
- Nouns and adjectives
- 'Yes' and 'No' questions and other interrogatives.
- Prepositions
- Idafa structure
- Verb patterns: present tense
- Verb patterns: past tense
Skills
- Listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Assessment Scheme:
Termly tests, listening exam, oral test, and final written exam Exam summary and skills weighting: Assessment
Marking criteria (written) : Arabic marking criteria (written) levels 1/2
Marking criteria (oral): Marking criteria (oral) levels 1 and 2