Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3160: Intermediate Arabic Language I

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to continue development of your active and passive knowledge of Arabic through writing and conversation and to enrich your command of Arabic grammar and vocabulary. It aims to continue development of your language to CEFRL level B1, consolidating and expanding your grammatical knowledge and developing reading, writing, translation and conversation skills. You will communicate and comprehend more complex topics, and build fluency. The module will enable you to read authentic texts in Arabic such as media and literary texts.

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 Skills1. Extract a broad sense and some specified detail of written texts at CEFRL level B1.
2. Extract a sense and some specified detail of aural communications at CEFRL level B1.
3. Write short and simple texts on selected topics at CEFRL level B1.
4. Verbally elicit, understand and communicate basic factual information and simple selected topics relevant to everyday situations in Arabic, displaying reasonable levels of accuracy, at CEFRL level B1.
5. Achieve straightforward translations out of Arabic.
6. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of Arabic and utilise it to understand and produce texts in it.
Discipline-Specific Skills7. Learn how to consolidate your own learning by using available learning aids, in a variety of media, and organise this process with guidance from course tutors.
8. Understand the principles of intensively learning a new language and organise learning time with guidance from course tutors.
9. Use a reference grammar book and a bilingual dictionary to check the structural and lexical accuracy of your writing and expression in Arabic.
Personal and Key Skills10. Work in groups at solving basic linguistic tasks.
11. Deploy time management strategies through developing skills of self-study.
12. Exercise autonomy and judgement by developing independent learning skills.
13. Deploy strategies for coping with unpractised linguistic, social and cultural situations.
14. Show appreciation of the cultures of people who speak Arabic.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • More complex Arabic grammar tools and concepts.
  • Introduction to vocabulary enabling students to us Arabic in abstract and diverse subject areas.
  • Building learning independence as an Arabic scholar, with increasing ability to analyse morphology and syntax, and to use grammatical knowledge and dictionary skills to understand more complex texts. 

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
1101900

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 80Lectures using an interactive learning approach: Pair work, group work; emphasis on active and passive development of reading, writing and translation skills.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity30Group and pair work with emphasis on conversation and writing skills
Guided Independent study190Directed learning and private study outside the classroom, includes homework assignments and preparation for classes.

Online Resources

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

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Brustad,K, Al-Batal, M, Al-Tonsi A, Al-Kitab (vol. 2), Georgetown University Press, Washington DC 2004.

Wehr, Hans A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic, Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz, 1979.