Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA1033A: Elementary Arabic Language I

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Content

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:

Introduction to Arabic letters and sounds.

Introduction to Arabic grammar and syntax.

Introduction to some spoken dialects of Arabic.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
1321680

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity88Lectures: These focus on explaining grammar topics, reading, writing and media. (8 hours per week over 11 weeks
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity44Language Workshops and Seminars: These are conducted in small groups and include Pair work, Group work, Language games and Language Lab work. (4 hours per week over 11 weeks)
Guided independent study40Homework assignments and preparation for class.
Guided independent study40Learning grammar
Guided independent study25Learning vocabulary.
Guided Independent Study40Listening and speaking practice.
Guided Independent study23Preparation for examinations.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Preparation and revision for Arabic classes. This includes grammar drills, short pieces of writing and translation.100-300 words per week1-10Written and oral feedback in the classroom and outside

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
305020

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Examination502 hours1,4,5,7,9,11Written and verbal feedback
Continuous assessment. Assessed homework assignments and in-class tests contribute to continuous assessment mark. An average mark will be taken of all the marks of both the assessed homework assignments and in-class tests30One 50-minute in-class test in the fourth week of the term, and one in the eighth week. 1-10Written and verbal feedback
Oral test107 minutes2,5,9Verbal feedback
Listening test1030 minutes3,9Written and verbal feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Examination 2 hoursExamination (2 hours)1,4,5,7,9,11January assessment period
Oral testOral test (7 minutes) 2,5,9January assessment period
Listening testListening test (30 minutes)3,9January assessment period
Continuous AssessmentWritten assignment under exam conditions (300 words in Arabic; 2 hours)1,4,5,7,9,10January assessment period