Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3190: Intermediate Arabic Language

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 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:

  • 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/

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
Weekly practical and written assignments Weekly practical and written assignments 1-15Written or verbal feedback

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
Continuous assessment30• One 90 minutes written test including reading, writing, grammar and translation • One listening test (30 minutes) • One oral test (15 minutes per student) 1-15verbal and/or written feedback
Written Examination 503 hours 1,3,5,6,11,13verbal and/or written feedback
Oral Examination 1015 minutes2,6,11verbal feedback
Listening Examination 1030 minutes3,6,11,12,13 verbal and/or written 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
Continuous assessmentOral Assignment: video recording ( 5 minutes) Listening Assignment (Up to 30 minutes) Written assignment under exam conditions (350 words in Arabic; 2 hours) 2,5,6,8,11,12,13,14August/September reassessment period
Written Examination Written Examination (3 hours) (50%)1,3,5,6,11,13August/September reassessment period
Oral Examination Oral Examination (15 minutes) (10%)2,6,11August/September reassessment period
Listening Examination Listening Examination (30 minutes) (10%)3,6,11,12,13August/September reassessment period

Re-assessment notes