Arabic Level 1

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

• respond to and produce a basic range of spoken language in very familiar contexts;
• respond to and produce simple written texts. In these, you will be able to apply your knowledge and skills of grammar and vocabulary at the A1 Level (CEFR) and demonstrate the relevant level of intercultural awareness in your handling of everyday social interactions in Arabic and your use of language;
• engage with a basic range of digital language-learning tools to support your production.

We will cover the following linguistic structures:

• articles: definite/indefinite (0)
• demonstratives
• nouns and adjectives
• al-nisba adjectives
• subject pronouns
• gender and number of nouns and adjectives
• the simple nominal (descriptive) sentence
• interrogatives (question words)
• negation (negative particles)
• plural patterns: masculine, feminine and ‘broken’ forms
• colour terms: gender
• prepositions
• adverbs of time and frequency
• the possessive pronouns
• the possessive structure
• the preposition 3inda (to have)
• the past ‘complete’ tense
• the present ‘incomplete’ tense

Topics:

• the Arabic writing system
• family and relations
• positions and locations
• basic mathematics
• quantities, sums and measurements
• jobs, professions and workplaces
• describing people, places and objects
• geography of the Arab world
• countries, nationalities and people
• the climate
• past and present activities

In line with modern foreign languages communicative and action-oriented learning methodologies, the in-class activities will cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). These will include pair and small group work (such as dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion), individual tasks, discovery and of grammatical rules, work with texts, etc. Homework and coursework tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills and to develop your awareness of how to use language-learning tools independently. Our approach facilitates engagement with a wide range of tasks and activities and aims to accommodate 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 a set of tasks, including receptive and productive skills: 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 (approx. 5 minutes per student). A topic is presented individually with follow-up Q&A (student-student and teacher-student).
• Examination (30%): 1-hour in-class test at the end of the spring term, including receptive and productive skills: reading comprehension, grammar/ vocabulary/ use of language, and writing. 
• Practical (30%): Oral exam, at the end of spring term. Approx. 10 minutes per student, it includes self-presentation plus follow-up Q&A and spontaneous conversation on Microsoft Teams.

• 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

Wightwick, J and Gaafar M (2007), Mastering Arabic, Palgrave Macmillan, 3rd edition, ISBN: 9781137380456, supported by additional materials

Relevant websites

• ArabicOnline
• ArabicPod