module specification

In this module, students will develop advanced Arabic language skills and work towards becoming independent users of the target language (CEFR Level B1/B2). Students will learn how to use Spanish in a wide range of contexts, with appropriate register. The course further extends students’ ability to use grammatical structures and vocabulary accurately. It also focuses on intercultural communication skills and cultural aspects of Arabic speaking countries.

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 B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference);
• To further develop appropriate language learning strategies to encourage effective independent learning of Arabic
• To focus on the cultural contexts of Arabic speaking countries
• To enhance student employability and transferable skills

Completion of OAL075 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:

1. Speaking
• deliver a clear and fluent presentation using an enhanced range of vocabulary
• express and discuss points of view fluently and spontaneously in a variety of social contexts

2. Writing:
•  be able to use and select different registers and styles appropriately
•  write clear text on a wide range of subjects; explain viewpoints on topical issues, giving advantages and disadvantages

• The module will be assessed through course work and an oral presentation. The course work will assess learning outcomes 2 and the oral presentation will assess learning outcomes 1.
• Formative assessment supports students in developing for summative assessment
• Feedback on assessment is timely, constructive and developmental.
• Processes for marking assessments and for moderating marks are clearly articulated and consistently operated by those involved in the assessment process

• 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.