Arabic A2 is the third of three introductory-level classes in Arabic in the Open Studies Certificate programme. its essential course at the University of Strathclyde. helping learners to understand common terms and phrases related to topics with precise definitions, such as shopping, jobs, and personal information. competent in communicating ideas on well-known and common subjects in commonplace contexts. This program aims to enhance students’ communicative competence and deepen their understanding of the Arabic language.

Learning Outcomes 

Listening: on completion of the class, you can expect to be able to:

Comprehend basic to intermediate spoken Arabic in familiar situations, including conversations, announcements, and directions.

Understand and respond to questions and instructions posed at a slightly faster pace.

Recognize and identify a wider range of Arabic sounds, intonation patterns, and dialects.

Distinguish between more complex vocabulary and expressions.

Follow conversations on familiar topics with greater ease and confidence.

Identify the main ideas and supporting details in spoken Arabic messages.

Reading: on completion of the class, you can expect to be able to:

• Read and understand a wider range of written Arabic texts, including simple articles, short stories, and basic cultural materials.
• Recognize and identify more complex vocabulary, characters, and grammatical structures.
• Follow the main ideas and supporting details in written Arabic texts.
• Use context clues effectively to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words and expressions.
• Develop basic reading fluency and improve pronunciation.
• Extract key information from written texts and summarize the main points.

Oral: on completion of the class, you can expect to be able to:

• Engage in more complex conversations on a wider range of topics, including Friendship, Renting an apartment , weather, Jobs, travel, transportation, food and beverages, and shopping.
• Express yourself with greater fluency and accuracy in basic Arabic.
• Use a wider range of vocabulary and grammar structures to convey your thoughts and ideas effectively.
• Participate in group discussions and express your opinions confidently.
• Handle basic everyday interactions with native Arabic speakers, such as ordering food, asking for directions, and making appointments.
• Understand and respond to more complex questions and statements.

Written: on completion of the class, you can expect to be able to:

• Write more complex sentences and paragraphs, expressing your thoughts and ideas clearly and accurately.
• Describe events, experiences, and opinions in written Arabic.
• Write short essays on familiar topics.
• Use a wider range of vocabulary and grammar structures in your writing.
• Proofread and edit your own writing for clarity, accuracy, and coherence.
• Write formal and informal letters and emails.

Context: on completion of the class, you can expect to be able to:

• Discuss and analyze key aspects of contemporary Arabic culture, including traditions, customs, values, and social norms.
• Recognize and appreciate the diversity within Arabic culture, including regional and historical variations.
• Connect language learning with cultural understanding and appreciation, recognizing the interplay between language and culture.
• Engage in more meaningful cultural exchanges and interactions with Arabic speakers, demonstrating respect and understanding.
• Develop a cultural awareness mindset that allows you to appreciate and navigate different cultural perspectives.
• Identify and challenge cultural stereotypes and misconceptions.

Teaching Programme

A communicative approach in line with that taken in undergraduate degree classes in Arabic at the University of Strathclyde will normally be employed throughout. The class content will include material from the prescribed text and a number of didacticised authentic sources in a variety of media. The grammar base of the class will include introduction to the verb system of Arabic (concentrating on alphabet, pronunciation, gender and the use of nouns, gender and the use of simple adjectives, personal pronouns, regular verb forms of the present tense, reflexive verbs, expressing future actions without the future tense). Communicative activities will include group and paired oral practice, note-taking and written responses using authentic material whenever possible.

Duration: 2 hours per week for 20 weeks.

Textbook(s)  

Al Minhaj Al Alami