Arabic 1
- Course Code:
- 155900896
- Unit value:
- 3
- Taught in:
- Full Year
The course provides a thorough grounding in Modern Standard (or Literary) Arabic. This is the universally accepted written form of the language throughout the modern Arab world, used in official correspondence, formal address, news and current affairs broadcasting, though not in everyday conversation. The main emphasis is on mastering the basic structures of Modern Standard Arabic as a means of written communication, particularly in relation to journalism. News broadcasts are introduced in the second term, and oral competence is developed through extensive use of language laboratory facilities as well as in small-group conversation classes, where some elements of colloquial Arabic are also introduced.
Prerequisites
Admission to the first year of the BA degrees listed above.
Objectives and learning outcomes of the course
The course aims to develop a solid elementary level of competence in both productive (speaking/writing) and receptive skills (reading/ listening) in Arabic. Besides the four skills mentioned above, acquiring translation skills, both to and from Arabic/English, and some knowledge of cultural issues in relation to uses of the language also form part of the course requirements. At the end of the course, students should be able to handle basic materials in Arabic and produce elementary Arabic.
Workload
There are approximately fifteen one-hour classes weekly, consisting of grammar, exercises and translation, conversation, language laboratory and CALL (computer-assisted language learning) work.Scope and syllabus
A graded internally-produced course is followed. This provides grammar, vocabulary, exercises, passages for translation and comprehension, and language laboratory materials. There is also a parallel and complementary CALL course.
Method of assessment
Two three-hour written examinations, consisting of passages for translation and comprehension, various substitution drills and other exercises, and questions on grammar (60%); an oral examination, listening and dictation (20%) and two mid-term tests (20%).Suggested reading
Background reading
- David Crystal, Re-discover Grammar (For a condensed description of Arabic the adventurous might like to sample A).
- F. L. Beeston, The Arabic Language Today, London: Hutchinson, 1970.
- For an introductory account of the relationship of Arabic to other languages of the Semitic family (such as Hebrew, Akkadian and Amharic) see S. Moscati et al.: An Introduction to the Comparative Grammar of the Semitic Languages. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 1969.
