UCLA Extension

Arabic 1C

Spring 2008

Instructor: Said F Abdelrahman

E-mail:

Class Hours: Sat, 9am-1pm

Place: 1010 Westwood Center (Room 413)

Period: March 29- June 14 ((no mtg. 4/19 , 5/24 – 1 meeting need to be arranged)

Prerequisites: Arabic 1B, or the equivalent

Course Objective:

In Arabic 1B, students were trained to read simple words and construct simple sentences and run short conversation.. Arabic C focuses more on language acquisition. It provides the student with a wide range of basic vocabularies that help students express themselves in an efficient way, though simple. Students are required to increase their vocabulary with a minimum of 40-50 words a week to keep pace with the course material. Basic grammar instructions will be learned to help the students comprehend the syntax of complex Arabic sentences. Students will be also introduced to patterns where they can learn to move back and forth from standard to colloquial and vice versa. However the main focus will be on the MSA.[1]

Course Material:

1. Al-Kitaab fi Ta`allum al-`Arabiyyah, Part I, Second edition (with DVDs), by Brustad, Al-Batal and Al-Tonsi (available at the UCLA bookstore. You can also order them from Amazon.com)(The course will cover up to Unit 10)

DVDs:

The audio-visual materials on the DVDs are an integral part and required part of the course.

Teaching and Learning

The teaching method is based on the idea that one learns to understand, speak, read and write a language by using it. Language learning takes time. Plan to spend as much as you can during the week studying and do not wait till Friday's night to work for the class. Do your best to study Arabic every day. Do not skip class and always be on time! Much of the learning takes place in class:grammar drills, proficiency exercises, and conversations. You will not be able to make up this work by studying at home. Good results (and good grades) are directly related to attendance and participation.

Language of instruction will be mostly Arabicto help students get familiar with the language and to put them under the pressure of speaking only Arabic.

Homework:

There will be a written homework assignment for most classes. Please follow these guidelines:

  1. Assignment should be turned in its due date. It can be turned in only one session later after taking permission of the teacher. No late assignment will be accepted.
  2. Copy the sentence you are being drilled on, or enough of it so that the teacher can figure out what it is you are supposed to be doing.
  3. Write neatly. Arabic script should be beautiful. The Arabic script is an art on its own, so try your best make it look beautiful. Messy, scrawled homework will not be accepted.
  4. Skip line, leaving enough space will help the teacher correct your mistakes
  5. Corrections should be turned in in the following session.

Test and grading:

There will be 4 graded dictation, 2 quizzes, and a final examination. The course grades will be calculated as follows:

  • Homework: 20%
  • Dictations: 10%
  • Quizzes: 30%
  • Conversation/presentations (Two times; one in week 4 and the second one in week 9): 10%
  • Final (Written): 30%

Websites:

  • (background information and beginner’s course)
  • (This website introduces, teaches and tests you in the Al-Kitab book which we are going to study in the second part of this quarter and also for coming quarters)
  • is a link to an online free introductory course)
  • (simple online dictionary)

Week # / Class Work / Activities
Week 1 (March 29) / Revision – Unit 11
Week 2 (April 5) / Unit 11 / Dictation 1
Week 3 (April 12) / Unit 12 / Quiz 1 (Unit 11)
Week 4 (April 26) / Unit 12 / Oral Presentation 1
Week 5 (May 3) / Unit 13 / Quiz 2
Week 6 (May 10) / Unit 13 / Dictation 2
Week 7 (May 17) / Unit 14 / Quiz 3
Week 8 (May 31) / Unit 14
Week 9 (June 7) / Unit 15 / Oral Presentation 2
Week 10 (June 14) / Revision / FINAL

The HOMEWORK will be written on the board, so copy the homework every time into your notes. It has to be turned in the week after. If it is not turned or turned late, the student’s grade will be affected.

You are always most welcome to e-mail me during the week or to discuss with me any question during the break or after class time.

Hope you enjoy your Arabic journey

1

[1] We learned in Arabic 1A that Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), is one of three distinct varieties of Arabic. MSA is the Arabic used in books, newspapers, and formal speech everywhere in the Arab world. Classical Arabic (CA) is the language of the Qur’an and Muslim prayer, of older religious, scientific, literary and historical texts, and of Christian worship in some Eastern churches. MSA and CA are very similar, and this class will prepare you to continue your study of either both. The Colloquial Arabic used in every day speech is the third distinct variety of Arabic. Colloquial Arabic, which is usually not written, differs greatly from region to region. Although the DVDs that accompany the textbook contain some basic material in Egyptian colloquial Arabic, which is the dialect with the largest number of speakers, we shall not focus on the dialect in detail. The kind of Arabic taught in this class is understood throughout the Arab world, and knowing MSA will make learning a dialect easier later.