Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3190: Intermediate Arabic Language

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

Module Aims

 

Building on your Arabic learning experience to date, this module aims to develop a deeper knowledge of grammatical and syntactical structures; to develop active and passive learning of Arabic through a wide range of written and audio-visual materials; to strengthen your awareness of different styles and registers of Arabic; to broaden your skills in using Arabic; to develop your skills in composition and translation. The module also aims to consolidate your use of colloquial Arabic.

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 sense and specific details of authentic written texts from various genres at CEFRL level B2 or C1.
2. Present a detailed argument written in Arabic in answer to essay questions on a range of topics at CEFRL level B2 or C1.
3. Verbally communicate with competence in Arabic at CEFRL level B2 or C1. Engage in an oral discussion of a range of (mainly contemporary) topics in Arabic, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others.
4. Give an oral presentation in Arabic on a defined topic to a small group of listeners and engage in group discussion and debate of the topic presented at CEFRL level B2 or C1, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others.
5. Translate passages from a variety of authentic written sources from various genres into and out of Arabic at CEFRL level B2 or C1.
6. Apply your growing knowledge of a broad range of grammatical features of Arabic to a variety of linguistic tasks.
Discipline-Specific Skills7. Learn how to consolidate your own learning independently by using available learning aids, in a variety of media, and organise this process with guidance from course tutors.
8. Recognise and understand core linguistic terminology individually and as part of a group.
9. Use a bilingual dictionary to glean information about meaning, register, usage and grammatical forms.
10. Engage, under guidance and independently, with Arabic media, printed and online.
Personal and Key Skills11. Work in groups at solving linguistic tasks at CEFRL level B2 or C1.
12. Deploy time management strategies through developing skills of self-study.
13. Exercise autonomy and judgement by enhancing your independent learning skills.
14. Deploy strategies for coping with unpractised linguistic, social and cultural situations.
15. Further appreciate the literature and cultures of people who speak (and spoke) Arabic.

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:

  • Reading: You will be introduced to different types of texts. Correspondence, instructions and advertisements, opinion piece, literature etc.
  • Writing: You will be introduced to different styles of writing. Personal and formal correspondence, instructions, description and comparison, narration, argumentation etc. You will learn how to present a topic, a discussion and a conclusion.
  • Translation: Here you will become familiar with a range of text types by translating them from Arabic into English and from English into Arabic.
  • Listening: This includes listening to a variety of clips, which might include Media Arabic, broadcasts, news, interviews, documentaries etc.
  • Speaking: You will practice speaking about various topics in colloquial or modern standard Arabic.
  • Arabic Language through Literature: You will have a chance to practice your skills and deepen your knowledge and understanding of Arabic culture and literature.

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
1761240

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity132Further appreciate the literature and cultures of people who speak (and spoke) Arabic.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity4422 x 2 hours of seminars, language workshops and interactive class work for listening and speaking
Guided Independent Study124Weekly homework assignments in writing, translation, grammar, oral presentations and lab work

Online Resources

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

 ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/