Arabic for Beginners II
| Module title | Arabic for Beginners II |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARA2148 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Ms Abla Oudeh Mahmoud () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
Arabic is a modern language spoken by hundreds of millions of people and a foundational language of human civilisation. This elementary-level module continues your introduction the fundamentals of Arabic, enabling you to develop basic reading, writing, oral and aural skills to level A2 (waystage/elementary) on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). Through language, it will further introduce you to aspects of Arab cultures. You will use a textbook and a variety of learning materials selected by your lecturers.
If you have prior knowledge of Arabic acquired outside of your degree programme or have not completed the prerequisite modules, your level will be assessed by the module convenor in order to establish whether this module is suitable for you—admission in such cases is not guaranteed.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to enhance your reading, writing and communication skills in Arabic. The module aims to develop all language-related skills, including reading, listening, speaking, writing and cultural knowledge, by means of written texts and audio-visual clips. By the end of the course, you are expected to have achieved basic-to-intermediate proficiency in the language.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Extract a broad sense and some specified detail of written texts at CEFRL level A2.
- 2. Extract a sense and some specified detail of aural communications at CEFRL level A2. Use acquired vocabulary to converse and write on a range of topics, including: oneself; friends, family and colleagues; work; and location;
- 3. Write short and simple texts on selected topics at CEFRL level A2.
- 4. Verbally elicit, understand and communicate basic factual information and simple selected topics relevant to everyday situations in Arabic, displaying reasonable levels of accuracy, at CEFRL level A2.
- 5. Achieve straightforward translations out of Arabic.
- 6. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of Arabic and utilise it to understand and produce texts in it.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Learn how to consolidate your own learning by using available learning aids, in a variety of media, and organise this process with guidance from course tutors.
- 8. Understand the principles of intensively learning a new language and organise learning time with guidance from course tutors.
- 9. Use a reference grammar book and a bilingual dictionary to check the structural and lexical accuracy of your writing and expression in Arabic.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Work in groups at solving basic linguistic tasks.
- 11. Deploy time management strategies through developing skills of self-study.
- 12. Exercise autonomy and judgement by developing independent learning skills.
- 13. Deploy strategies for coping with unpractised linguistic, social and cultural situations.
- 14. Further appreciate the cultures of the people who speak Arabic.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Arabic grammar and syntax,
- Introduction to some spoken dialects of Arabic,
- Reading and comprehension of Arabic texts,
- Arabic writing and composition skills.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | 190 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 66 | Lectures (3 hrs/wk, scheduled). Emphasis on active and passive learning, listening and reading skills, as well as developing confidence to speak Arabic. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 44 | Group and pair work (2hrs/week, scheduled) with emphasis on conversation and writing skills. |
| Guided Independent study | 22 | Language laboratory work with the help of DVDs provided |
| Guided Independent study | 22 | Preparation for assessed in-class tests contribute towards continuous assessment mark. An average mark will be taken of all the marks of assessed in-class tests. |
| Guided Independent study | 146 | Private study, including reviewing new grammar rules learned in class; learning vocabulary; practising grammar and vocabulary through drill exercises; preparatory reading and vocabulary acquisition; reading for comprehension and language development; listening to and watching audio-visual materials; writing short compositions; web-based activities; revising for examinations. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly practical and written assignments | Weekly practical and written assignments | 1-14 | Verbal and/or written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 50 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 30 | One 90-minute written test including reading, writing, grammar and translation One listening (30 minutes) One oral test (10 minutes per student) | 1-14 | verbal and/or written feedback |
| Written Examination (May/June assessment period) | 50 | 2 hours | 1,3,5,6,11,13 | verbal and/or written feedback |
| Oral Examination | 10 | 10 minutes | 2,4,10,11 | verbal feedback |
| Listening Examination | 10 | 30 minutes | 2,6,11 | verbal and/or written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | One 90-minute written test including reading, writing, grammar and translation One listening (30 minutes) One oral test (10 minutes per student) | 1-15 | August/September reassessment period |
| Written Examination | Written Examination (2 hours) | 1,3,5,6,11,13 | August/September reassessment period |
| Listening Examination | Listening Examination (30 minutes) | 2,4,10,11 | August/September reassessment period |
| Oral Examination | Oral Examination (10 minutes) | 2,6,11 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative Basic Reading List:
Al-Mashrafi, A.N.S., At-Takallum: A Comprehensive Modern Arabic Course, Elementary A2. The Light Inc., 2017.
Supporting Materials:
Wehr, H, A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic, Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 1979.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | ARA1015 Arabic for Beginners I or equivalent |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2005 |
| Last revision date | 17/08/2022 |
