UCL - Modern Arabic Basic Level (oral expression)

[ARAB1101]

[60h] 6 credits

This course is taught in the 1st & 2d semester.

Teacher(s): Pierre Hanjoul

Language: ARE

Level: First

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

To possess a basic vocabulary and basic language and linguistic skills; to be able to express simple messages concerning day-to-day life, and be able to identify such messages; to master the basic grammar.
This course is preparatory to the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Main themes

- Practicing the Arabic script in reading and writing;
- acquiring a basic vocabulary;
- expressing and understanding simple messages, in written or oral form;
- restudying and extending previously learned elements of grammar.

Content and teaching methods

Contents:
- learning some words easy to understand and remember;
- learning a basic vocabulary and basic sentence structures;
- complete pronunciation vs. usual pronunciation;
- learning, using, and analyzing forms of address and simple messages concerning situations in day-to-day life;
- basic grammar, continued: triptotes ending in ¿in and ¿an, special increased verbs, negation, tenses, numerals.

Methods:
- teaching is performed in French, but Arabic is used at times;
- preparation at home and active participation are required;
- written exercises at home, written and spoken exercises in class.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites:
ARAB 1100, which may be followed during the first q. in parallel with ARAB 1101.

Assessment:
Individual oral and written examination.

Course material:
Course materials are provided periodically, mainly through iCampus.

Other

Note:
Arabic displays a set of characteristic features that make it particularly difficult for a French- or English-speaking student to learn: several alien consonants; a script that writes from right to left; an elaborate grammar using declensions, drawing a sharper frontier than French between masculine and feminine, and making more refined distinctions than just between singular and plural; last, a vocabulary having very few elements in common with the languages usually known by our students. All this makes it difficult for the ILV basic level in Arabic to comply with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.