Arabic Level 3

On successful completion of this module, you will be better prepared to:

• respond to the main points of standard speech on familiar topics relating to personal or work-related matters;
• read and demonstrate comprehension of factual texts, consisting of standard and mainly high-frequency everyday or job-related language;
• interact on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life;
• produce simple texts on familiar topics using Arabic script to narrate events, describe feelings, and express opinions;
• demonstrate intercultural awareness and understanding of differences in social and everyday practices between own and target culture;
• engage with a range of digital language-learning resources to support language development.

In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:

• the negative particle laysa
• interrogatives and question words
• amma and fa (as for ….)
• ordinal numbers
• the prepositions ilaa and 3ala, and pronouns
• object pronouns
• the subjunctive
• quantifiers (e.g. all, several, no one, each, every)
• the adjectival sentence
• the comparative and superlative: af3al form
• conjugation of verbs with a vowel letter: (initial, medial, final)
• negation of the future: lan
• kaana and its sisters
• verbs with doubled ending
• conjugation of maa zaala

Topics:

• daily activities
• the extended family
• the ‘family house’
• social clubs: al-nadi
• hobbies and interests
• the weekend
• education
• friendships and relationships
• personalities and lifestyles
• life-changing decisions
• biographies
• working and studying abroad
• immigration and nostalgic feelings

In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology, in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and include: pair and small group work (such as dialogue practice, gap-filling exercises, discussion and debates); individual practical and problem-solving tasks (textual analysis and audio-visual materials for simulations and role-playing scenarios). Homework tasks will provide opportunities for independent self-study and consolidation of learning. This approach facilitates engagement with a wide range of tasks and activities and accommodates different learning styles.

All pieces of coursework are marked and returned within two weeks. Marking criteria, rubrics and samples are included with each coursework to ensure you are supported in completing your work and are aware of the assessment expectations. Feedback is provided for individual sections of the coursework, giving the correct answer(s) along with suggestions for improvement. In addition to the number of points out of a maximum total, an overall percentage grade is given. Generic feedback on each individual piece of coursework is also provided in class.

The module includes formative as well as summative assessment.

Formative: Homework tasks (theory revision, reading, writing, listening, etc.) are set every week on the VLE, following a flipped-classroom approach to ensure face to face time is devoted to interactional learning and communicative skills development. Independent study and support materials/guidance are also provided to reinforce topics covered at your own pace. Feedback is provided for submitted tasks to ensure that you are supported in completing your work and are aware of assessment expectations.

Summative: You need to complete two pieces of coursework (set at the end of term the autumn term and mid-spring term); one 1-hour timed assessment (test scheduled at the end of spring term); and one practical, i.e. oral examination (at the end of spring term or at the beginning of the summer term). Coursework and written/oral examination all contribute to the final grade.

• Coursework (20%): Set at the end of the autumn term on the virtual learning environment, and with one week to complete, it consists of listening/grammar and writing. Tests reading and/or listening comprehension, grammar/vocabulary/use of language and writing.
• Coursework (20%): Set mid-spring term on the virtual learning environment, it consists of an in-class listening and speaking task on Microsoft Teams (7-8 minutes per student).
• Examination (30%): In-class test. This 1-hour test will take place at the end of the spring term. Tests receptive and productive skills, including reading comprehension, grammar control/vocabulary/use of language, and writing.
• Practical (30%): 15-minute end-of-year oral exam consisting of presentation plus follow-up Q&A and spontaneous conversation.

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree, where your department allows. Also available for extra credit. The Module options by department page has a full list of the credit options.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Coursebook

Brustad, K. et al. 2004, Al-Kitaab fi Ta ‘allum al-‘Arabiyya (Part I, with DVDs), Georgetown University Press, supported by additonal materials.

Dictionary

Cowan, J.M. 1999, The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic, Fourth Edition, Spoken Language Services.

Relevant websites

• ArabicPod
• Arabic Media