module specification

In this module, students will develop advanced language skills and work towards becoming independent users of Arabic (CEFR Level B1/B2). Students will learn how to use Arabic in a wide range of contexts both personally and professionally, through practical class activities focusing on authentic language use. There will be a particular emphasis on developing reading and writing skills, as well as oral, listening and intercultural skills. The course extends students’ ability to use a wide range of grammatical structures and vocabulary accurately. In addition, cultural aspects of Arabic speaking countries will be studied.

The course is structured around class time, independent learning and guided WebLearn materials. The module is adaptable to the language abilities of students and can be taught to students studying in different years.

The aims of this module are:

To increase students’ linguistic competence in Arabic in all skills towards an advanced level (level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference)

To further develop appropriate language learning strategies to encourage effective independent learning of Arabic

To develop a further understanding of the cultural contexts of Arabic speaking countries

To enhance student employability and transferable skills

Completion of OAL074 or a similar course

1.

Development of speaking skills

Development of oral fluency and accuracy

           2.

Development of reading and writing skills  

Extension and expansion of grammatical control (new and revised structures)

Development of linguistic devices to improve cohesion and coherence

Learning and teaching strategies will be delivered through a blended learning approach. Learners will actively participate in individual and group activities in class and independently, using online resources and tools available on Weblearn, as well as paper-based materials. They will receive teacher and peer feedback to enable them to reflect on their learning

The learning outcomes of this module are calibrated to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.  By the end of the module students should be able to:

Speaking:

Deliver a fluent presentation on a prepared topic

Use a wide range of language to give clear descriptions  

Express viewpoints on general topics in a fluent manner

Writing:

Write accurately and in an appropriate register on a variety of topics related to personal matters, current affairs and areas of professional expertise

Abboud, P. F. and McCarus, E. N. (1983) Elementary Modern Standard Arabic: part 2. Cambridge: CUP.

Ba'albaki, M. (2003) Mawrid. A Modern English-Arabic Dictionary. Beirut: Dar El-Ilm Lil-Malayen.

Wehr, H. (1994) Arabic-English dictionary. Illinois: Spoken Languages Services.

Weblearn and other appropriate online resources

Websites:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/  (News in Arabic) 

http://www.al-hakawati.net/arabic/Aboutus/Index.asp   

        (Culture, society, etc. of Arab countries)

          www.aljazeera.net

Media

The Middle East leading language daily news:

               http://www.arabnews.com/

The following Arabic media website includes newspapers, songs, and movies: 

              http://arabic-media.com/

Arabic news and Radio/ France24- Radio Monte Carlo: 

              http://arabic-media.com/sites/RMC-MO-Radio_Monte_Carlo.htm

A site dedicated to news and current affairs across the Arab world                   http://www.middle-east-online.com/

http://www.al-hakawati.net/arabic/Aboutus/Index.asp

Note: There will also be supplementary material provided by the course convener.