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University Language Centre

ULAR10020 - Elementary Arabic

  • Credits: 20 
  • Level: 1 
  • Pre-requisite: Familiarity with the Arabic script 
  • Co-requisite: Open to students not following Honours courses in Arabic 
  • Taught during: Both semesters 
  • Timetable: Timetable for the course

Description

This course is designed for students who are already familiar with the Arabic script. It aims to teach a range of basic grammatical and lexical items and to develop elementary skills in reading, listening, speaking and writing skills in a dynamic and communicative way, through individual, pair and group work, and via studio-recorded and authentic texts. The course is also designed to meet the need of students who have completed a Beginners' course in Arabic but who do not feel confident enough to proceed directly to Pre-intermediate Level. 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to: 

  1. Understand short, simple messages and announcements;
  2. Read short simple texts and find specific information;
  3. Communicate in simple, routine situations; and
  4. Write simple notes, messages and short personal letters.

By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A1/A2 of the Common European Framework.

Transferable skills

Pair and team work, focussed listening, informal presentations, language awareness, cultural appreciation. 

Teaching and learning methods

Seminars, three hours per week. 

Assessment

Four pieces of assessed work as follows:

Semester one: Written (Reading, Grammar, Writing) 30%. Assessment will normally take place during week 12.
Semester two: Oral 20%; Listening 20%; Written (Reading, Grammar, Writing) 30%. Listening assessment will take place in the week before the Easter break (week 7 or 8); oral and written assessments will normally be scheduled during weeks 10, 11 and 12.

Nature and timing of feedback

Feedback will include a combination of: informal ongoing oral and written feedback resulting from homework and class based learning activities; formal written feedback will be given following every assessment.

Convenor

Sandra Torres

Taught by 

See timetables

Maximum entry

20 per group

Set texts

Mastering Arabic 1, units 1-16.  Jane Wightwick & Mahmoud Gaafar, Palgrave Macmillan; 3rd edition edition (20 Nov. 2014). ISBN: 978-1137380449.

Recommended texts

Students are encouraged to use the Language Centre for material for beginners in Arabic.

Pathway

Either ULAR10110 Pre-intermediate Arabic, or ULAR20110 Intermediate Arabic (depending on mark achieved).

Employability

Successful completion of this course unit will enhance your curriculum vitae and your employability by showing that you have a capacity to learn other languages and the desire engage with other cultures.