Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA1033A: Elementary Arabic Language I

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the basics of modern written Arabic starting with the alphabet and progressing to simple sentence structures. You will study elementary Arabic grammar and learn how to read and write Arabic. You will also learn how to speak Arabic with elementary fluency and understand what you hear through “listening” activities.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. read elementary texts on familiar topics and understand the main ideas with and without a dictionary, to read texts for basic understanding and finding specific information. 2. speak about yourself and your environment and carry out conversations on a variety of topics. 3. listen to simple Arabic audio/video materials and demonstrate an understanding of what you hear. 4. write simple sentences in Arabic using correct grammar and to translate simple sentences from English to Arabic and from Arabic to English
Discipline-Specific Skills	5. identify and use basic linguistic structures in writing and in conversation; 6. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, such as a reference grammar and bilingual dictionary, to consolidate learning;
Personal and Key Skills	7. develop time management skills and demonstrate the capability to conduct independent study; 8. work in pairs and groups in conversation and on text-based work; 9. confidently use a foreign language; 10. use audio-visual material, online resources or the language laboratory. 11. work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.

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 Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
132	168	0

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

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	88	Lectures: These focus on explaining grammar topics, reading, writing and media. (8 hours per week over 11 weeks
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	44	Language Workshops and Seminars: These are conducted in small groups and include Pair work, Group work, Language games or Language Lab work. (4 hours per week over 11 weeks)
Guided independent study	40	Homework assignments and preparation for class.
Guided independent study	40	Learning grammar
Guided independent study	25	Learning vocabulary.
Guided Independent Study	40	Listening and speaking practice.
Guided Independent study	23	Preparation for examinations.

Online Resources

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

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/