Advanced Arabic Language
| Module title | Advanced Arabic Language |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARA3103 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | no title Fatima Rawan (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Arabic is a modern language spoken by hundreds of millions of people and a foundational language of human civilisation. This is an advanced-level module that extends your knowledge of the language, honing your ability to communicate orally and textually on a full compliment of subjects and register. It provides you with the means and opportunity to take your Arabic reading, writing, oral and aural skills to level C1 or C2 (mastery-proficiency) on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). Through language, the module will deepen your exposure to Arabic cultural expression. You will use a variety of learning materials chosen by your lecturers.
If you have prior knowledge of Arabic acquired outside of your degree programme or have not completed the prerequisite modules, your level will be assessed by the module convenor in order to establish whether this module is suitable for you—admission in such cases is not guaranteed.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to develop your Arabic to advanced level. It will develop your ability to use complex grammatical structures of Arabic through a wide range of written materials, e.g. media and cultural, and to hone your writing, speaking and listening skills. The module also aims to develop high-demand skills such as translation. Building on your existing knowledge, you will develop your ability to use complex Arabic in your writing, speaking and listening. The module will enhance your ability to tackle complex syntactical structures through a wide range of written materials such as media, literature and religious texts. You will become familiar with a range of text registers in writing and translation. You will also learn how to present a topic for discussion and to engage in class debates. On completion of this module, your command of Arabic will be an asset in employment.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Extract a sense and specific details of authentic written texts at approximately C1 level of the CEFRL.
- 2. Extract a sense and specific details of authentic aural texts from these genres at CEFRL level C1.
- 3. Present a detailed argument written in Arabic in answer to essay questions on a range of topics at CEFRL level C1.
- 4. Verbally communicate competence in Arabic at CEFRL level C1.
- 5. Engage in an oral discussion of a range of topics in Arabic, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others.
- 6. Give an oral presentation in Arabic on a defined topic to a small group of listeners and engage in group discussion and debate of the topic presented at CEFRL level C1, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others.
- 7. Translate passages from a variety of authentic written sources from various genres (literary
- 8. Apply your detailed knowledge of a range of grammatical features of Arabic to a variety of linguistic tasks
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Consolidate your own learning by using available learning aids, in a variety of media, and organise this process independently and with guidance from course tutors.
- 10. Recognise and understand core linguistic terminology individually and as part of a group
- 11. Use a bilingual dictionary to glean information about meaning, register, usage and grammatical forms
- 12. Engage, independently and under guidance, with Arabic media printed and online
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 13. Working in groups at solving linguistic tasks at approximately C1 level of the CEFR
- 14. Consolidate time management strategies through skills of self-study .
- 15. Deploy cognitive and analytical skills ,
- 16. Deploy independent strategies to utilise the subject knowledge gained in previous levels to solve problems and develop practical skills.
- 17. Show a nuanced appreciation of the literatures and cultures of people who speak (and spoke) Arabic.
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 authentic texts; including literary, practical and journalistic.
- Writing: You will be introduced to different styles of writing. You will learn how to present a topic, a discussion and a conclusion.
- Translation: You will be using the translation skills you acquired in 3rd year to translate advanced texts from Arabic into English and vice versa.
- Listening and Speaking: Here you will enhance your listening and speaking capabilities by listening to and discussing topical issues.
- Literature: You will be exposed to different types of classical and modern Arabic writings to deepen your knowledge of Arab culture
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 176 | 124 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 176 | Mixed and interactive class activities (eight hours per week), spread to target the development of reading, writing, grammar, speaking and listening skills, together with knowledge of various genres of Arabic (e.g. media, literature) |
| Guided Independent Study | 124 | Weekly homework assignments: Translation: 22 hours reading & writing: 22 hours literature: 22 hours speaking: 22 hours; media listening: 36 hours |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly practical and written assignments | Weekly practical and written assignments | 1-17 | Written and verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 50 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous assessment | 30 | One 30 minutes listening assignment One Speaking assignment One 90 minutes written test Literature: One 1000-word essay in Arabic | 1-12, 14-17 | Written and verbal feedback |
| Written Examination | 50 | 3 hours | 1,3,5,6,11,13 | Verbal feedback |
| Oral Examination | 10 | 15 minutes | 2,6,11 | Written and verbal feedback |
| Listening Examination | 10 | 30 minutes | 3,6,11,12,13 | Written and verbal feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | One 30 minutes listening assignment One Speaking assignment One 90 minutes written test Literature: One 1000-word essay in Arabic | 1-17 | August/September reassessment period |
| Written Examination | Written examination (3 hours; 50%) | 2,5,6,8,11,12,13,14 | August/September reassessment period. |
| Oral Examination | Oral examination (15 minutes; 10%) | 2,6,11 | August/September reassessment period. |
| Listening Examination | Listening Examination (30 minutes; 10%) | 3,6,11,12,13 | August/September reassessment period. |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Authentic materials selected by course tutors
Supporting Materials:
El Mustapha Lahlali, Radia Kesseiri, Essential Skills in Arabic: From Intermediate to Advanced, Edinburgh University Press, 2018
Alaa Elgibali, Nevenka Korica, Media Arabic: A Coursebook for Reading Arabic News, The American University in Cairo Press, 2007.
Raji Ramunny, Advanced Standard Arabic, Michigan, 1995. (recommended)
Badawi, Carter, Gully. A Referenced Grammar of Modern Written Arabic, London, 2000.
Nariman Warraki, Ahmed Hassanein, The Connectors in MSA, Cairo, 1993.
Wehr, H, A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic, Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 1979.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | ARA2139 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2008 |
| Last revision date | 20/09/2022 |
