Level 1

Arabic Level 1 (LFA00005L) course content

Prerequisites

The course is ideal for those with no previous knowledge of the language, but who wish to acquire basic skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in Arabic. The course will equip you with the basic skills required if you wish to visit the countries where Arabic is spoken or to communicate with native speakers.

The course is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, staff and members of the public.

Contact time

19 × 2-hour classes, plus end-of-year exams (listening, oral and written). Groups of up to 20-25 participants.

Aims

The course has two main aims. The first is to equip you with the key language skills to enable you to communicate in Arabic at a basic level, or to facilitate a trip to the countries where the target language is spoken. Secondly, you will acquire a grammatical grounding in Arabic which will provide the foundation for more in-depth study later on. This course focuses on general structures and functions and includes practice in the four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

Objectives

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• communicate simply but effectively in Arabic at an elementary level
• understand basic cultural and social aspects of the language
• talk about yourself and understand when others tell you about themselves and their circumstances, including jobs
• order food; ask about prices
• ask for / understand directions, opening times and how to find facilities
• feel confident about pronouncing Arabic correctly, understanding and making yourself understood by a native speaker at an elementary level
• understand basic numerals
• describe things
• understand basic written instructions, signs and short communications
• understand simple information received in aural form
• have a knowledge of basic grammatical structures.

Organisation

Teaching will be by two-hour weekly classes, supplemented by independent study (see below). In class you will have the opportunity to do oral and written exercises in pairs or groups with guidance from your tutor. As language learning requires active participation, you will be encouraged to join in speaking activities in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Attendance

It is very important that you attend all sessions and inform your tutor or the LFA office (preferably in advance) if you have to miss a class due to illness or any other extenuating reason.

Teaching method

A communicative approach will be used throughout the course, with an emphasis on real-life situations. Grammar will be taught in context and general terms. You do not need to obtain any textbook for this course. Your tutor will provide you with all of the required materials.

Time commitment

Alongside the class, you will be expected to spend around 2-3 hours each week on private study, as advised by your tutor. Work outside class may involve tasks such as online language learning activities on the VLE, completing worksheets or exercises from your textbook, revising work done in class, practising pronunciation and learning vocabulary/grammar.

Evaluation and certification

This course will be subject to end-of-year examinations and certification. An LFA certificate will be awarded to participants who pass the end of year exams (oral, listening and written).

Taking the course as a degree module

Under the university modularisation scheme, this course can be taken as a 20-credit degree module by undergraduate students in some academic departments. If you wish to do this, please check with your academic department first to see if your degree programme allows you to take an LFA module for credit, and then contact the LFA office to enrol for a course as a degree module.

Level 2

Arabic Level 2 (LFA00006L) course content

Prerequisites

The course is aimed at those with previous knowledge of the target language (e.g. those who have successfully completed Arabic Level 1 or an equivalent beginners course, or who have spent some time in an Arabic-speaking country). It is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, staff and members of the public.

Contact time

19 × 2-hour classes, plus end-of-year exams (listening, oral and written). Groups of up to 15-20 participants.

Aims

The key aim of the course is to extend your language skills in all skill areas (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and improve confidence, with the aim of increasing your ability to understand and communicate in Arabic. Grammar revision will form part of the course to help improve accuracy.

Objectives

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• understand and participate more fully in conversations that might occur in everyday situations with improved fluency and pronunciation
• use a wider range of vocabulary and more complex structures when dealing with situations encountered at beginner’s level (eg. greetings, directions, places, shopping and eating out)
• speak and write about present, past and future events in simple terms
• talk about what you have done and will be doing
• talk about the weather
• talk about days, months and seasons
• describe people
• write a personal postcard or email
• understand numerals up to 1000
• understand basic written instructions, signs and short communications
• speak with better pronunciation so that you will be more easily understood
• feel more confident about pronouncing Arabic correctly, understanding and making yourself understood by a native speaker

Organisation

Teaching will be by two-hour weekly classes, supplemented by independent study (see below). In class you will have the opportunity to do oral and written exercises in pairs or groups with guidance from your tutor. As language learning requires active participation, you will be encouraged to join in speaking activities in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Attendance

It is very important that you attend all sessions and inform your tutor or the LFA office (preferably in advance) if you have to miss a class due to illness or any other appropriate reason.

Teaching method

A communicative approach will be used throughout the course, with an emphasis on real-life situations. Grammar will be taught in context and general terms. You do not need to obtain any textbook for this course. Your tutor will provide you with all of the required materials.

Time commitment

Alongside the class, you will be expected to spend around 2-3 hours each week on private study, as advised by your tutor. Work outside class may involve tasks such as online language learning activities on the VLE, completing worksheets or exercises from your textbook, revising work done in class, practising pronunciation and learning vocabulary/grammar.

Evaluation and certification

This course will be subject to end-of-year examinations and certification. An LFA certificate will be awarded to participants who pass the end of year exams (oral, listening and written).

Taking the course as a degree module

Under the university modularisation scheme, this course can be taken as a 20-credit degree module by undergraduate students in some academic departments. If you wish to do this, please check with your academic department first to see if your degree programme allows you to take an LFA module for credit, and then contact the LFA office to enrol for a course as a degree module.