Arabic Level 2

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

• respond to and produce simple spoken language in familiar contexts, applying your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary;
• respond to and produce simple written texts;
• apply your knowledge and skills of grammar and vocabulary at the A2 Level (CEFR);
• demonstrate the relevant level of intercultural awareness in your handling of everyday social interactions in Arabic and your use of language;
• engage with a range of digital language-learning tools to support your production.

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

• the nominal and verbal sentences
• plural forms (al-Jam3): masculine, feminine and ‘broken’ patterns (taksiir)
• noun-adjective phrases
• plural of non-human nouns and agreement with singular feminine adjectives and verbs
• the Idafa structure (possessive: ‘of’ structure)
• ‘to have’: 3inda, ma3a, li
• object and possessive pronouns
• the past (complete), present (incomplete) and future tenses
• conjugation of irregular verbs
• the subjunctive mood of the present tense form
• negation: the negative particles, e.g. laysa, maa, laa
• interrogative particles
• verb patterns
• the modal verbs: ‘wish’, ‘want’ and ‘must’
• nunation of adverbs (tanwiin)
• mundhu (since/for)
• the conjunctions bi-sabab and li-anna
• the gerund: al-masdar

Topics:

• living and working abroad
• stages of education in the Arab World
• immigration and childhood memories
• reminiscing about the past and future aspirations
• personal ads in newspapers, personal qualities and preferences (culturally sought-after qualities)
• comparing the past with the present
• city life and the environment
• the weather and seasons
• family and friends
• daily activities: work, study and hobbies
• working as a graduate fellow/teaching assistant at a university
• job adverts and careers
• Arabic food

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 group work (such as dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion), individual tasks, discovery of grammatical rules, textual analysis and others. 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 ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks and activities and also seeks to support 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 (one per 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 practical tasks. It tests 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 and conducted on Microsoft Teams, it consists of an in-class listening and speaking task (6-7 minutes per student). A topic is presented individually and follow-up questions are asked by peers and teacher.
• Examination (30%): This 1-hour test will take place at the end of spring term. It tests receptive and productive skills including reading comprehension, grammar/vocabulary/use of language and writing.
• Practical (30%): End-of-year oral exam (15 minutes), consisting of a 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

Al-Kitaab fi Tacallum al-Carabiyya with DVDs. A textbook for Beginning Arabic Part 1 Third Edition (2011) by Mahmoud Al-Batal, Abbas Al-Tunsi and Kristen Brustad, Georgetown University Press (ISBN 978-1-58901-736-8) Al-Kitaab fi Ta ‘allum al-‘Arabiyya with DVDs supported by additional materials

Dictionary

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

Relevant websites

• ArabicPod
• Arabic Media