Westmont In Jerusalem 2013
IS003: Introductory Conversational Arabic
Al Quds Center for Jerusalem Studies instructor:
Ameerah Da’na
Tutor and Teaching Assistant:
Sarah Iskander
Supervising Westmont instructors:
Prof. Bruce Fisk, Religious Studies
Prof. Thomas G. Fikes, Dept. of Psychology
IS003 Introductory Conversational Arabic is one of five courses offered as a package during the
2013 Westmont In Jerusalem semester program. It is taught primarily through Al Quds University’s
Center for Jerusalem Studies in Jerusalem during our three extended stays in that city, and
substantially complemented by individual and group tutorials by Westmont staff person Sarah
Iskander throughout the rest of the program.
DESCRIPTION
IS003 Introductory Conversational Arabic is an introduction to conversational/colloquial Arabic in
the Jerusalem dialect. Based on a standard text and audio and taught by instructors at Al Quds in
their standard course format, our two course sections will be devoted solely to our WIJ students.
We will meet for 16 2-hour course sessions with the Al Quds instructor (twice weekly during our
three extended stays in Jerusalem), and also hold regular individual and group tutorials with
students while we are traveling in other regions of the Middle East.
Our study of spoken Arabic this semester will follow the outline found in O. Othman's Let's Speak
Arabic. The goal of this course is to develop basic skills in speaking and understanding colloquial
Levantine Arabic, the dialect used, more or less, throughout Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
The course will focus on pronunciation, vocabulary, language structure, idioms, and basic grammar
(e.g., grammatical agreement, conjugations, declensions, verb types, clause structure, genitive
constructions). This introduction to spoken Arabic will not only lay a solid foundation for advanced
study in Arabic. It will provide a clearer window into Palestinian culture, cultivate a greater
appreciation for diversity, and challenge our ethnocentrism. Normally we shall introduce a new
chapter of Othman each week, and review the accompanying homework assignment during the
following class. In addition to lectures, exercises, discussion and quizzes, there will be many
opportunities to practice Arabic with native speakers.
IS003 Introductory Conversational Arabic meets the Foreign Language General Education
requirement
From the Center for Jerusalem Studies web site (http://www.jerusalem-studies.alquds.edu/):
Conversation classes are organised for students who wish to improve and practice their language in spoken
Arabic with the Palestinian dialect, in addition to conversation classes for students who have studied classical.
Conversation classes aim to invite students with knowledge in the language to practice the language, in a group
setting and with the help a professional teacher to converse, talk about newspapers articles, listen to Arabic
music in addition to visits to the market.
Level I is for beginners with no prior knowledge in the language. This level covers greetings, masculine nouns,
feminine nouns, propositions, adjectives, numbers from 0-12 participles, adjectives, vocabulary review, direct
object, days of the week.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS
See the document, Westmont in Jerusalem 2013 – Life in Community
GOALS FOR OUR STUDENTS
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learn the rudiments of Arabic morphology and syntax, through textbook study, lectures,
homework and tests
build a basic Arabic vocabulary, through in-class review and frequent quizzes
begin to speak Arabic, through in-class practice and field exercises
begin to see the value of bilingualism for understanding another culture
appreciate the value of foreign language study within the broader Liberal Arts curriculum
GE CERTIFICATION CRITERIA
Students will be able to
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Understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics. Evidenced
by passing performance on oral and written quizzes.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between some of the practices and
perspectives of the culture studied. Evidenced by passing grade on participation.
Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of language by comparing the language they
study and their own. Evidenced by passing performance notebook.
Use the language both within and beyond the classroom setting. Evidenced by passing
grade on participation, oral quizzes and exams.
Articulate the importance of learning another language in order to engage people unlike
them in terms that affirm others as persons created in God’s image. Evidenced by passing
performance notebook.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
25%
Written Quizzes
Eight weekly quizzes on vocabulary, verb conjugations, expressions, etc.
Due: weekly in class or as scheduled during Jerusalem blocks
25%
Oral Quizzes and Final Oral Exam
Periodic oral quizzes with instructor and tutor; question and response to a series of
exercises.
Due: As scheduled with tutor, primarily during travels beyond Jerusalem. Final oral
exam will be held on the final day of instruction with Al Quds.
25%
Written Notes and Exercises
Translation exercises from Arabic (transliterated) to English and vice versa, as well
as reflections on Arabic language and culture and comparisons between English and
Arabic. These will be kept in a notebook that is periodically inspected for
completeness, neatness and accuracy
Due: Weekly throughout semester
25%
Participation.
Students are expected to attend and participate in all class meetings and events,
demonstrating evidence of preparation and engaging the material, presenters, and
classmates in thoughtful, respectful dialogue. Participation will also be graded
based on time logged in the field (in the market, on the street, talking to people).
Attendance at Al Quds sessions is mandatory.
OUTCOMES
No outcomes have been specified by the GE Committee at this time.
READINGS:
Othman, O. (2011). Let’s Speak Arabic, Book I (Yalla Nihki Arabic 1): A course in Colloquial
Jerusalem Arabic for beginners. Jerusalem: Author. (With accompanying audio discs)
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE FROM AL QUDS INSTRUCTOR
Elementary Colloquial Arabic
Al Quds University, Jerusalem
Instructor: Ameerah Da'na
Text: Yella Nihki Araby by Omar Othman
Course outline
1. Greetings, Pronunciation
 common phrases
 independent pronouns
2. Masculine nouns
 bet, isim declensions
 the definite article
 names of countries
 common items at the market
3. Feminine nouns
 sayyara, sahbe declensions
 declining ma, min, la
4. Adjectives (masculine and feminine)
 weather
5. Numbers 1-12
 words pertaining to telling time
 participles
6. Verb conjugations
 past, indicative, subjunctive, command
 the direct object
 vocabulary review
7. Days of the week
 words pertaining to calendar and relative time
 verbs in the past tense
 common foods
8. Verbs in the present and future
9. Numbers 11-19, 20-100
 words pertaining to family
10. Dual nouns
 noun construction (indefinite, definite)
11. Conjugation of verbs
 fakkar
 the indirect object
 verb negation
12. Plural nouns
 masculine, feminine sound plurals
 broken plurals
 plural adjectives
13. Additional verbs
 safar, sawwa, jab
 the negative command
 ordinal numbers
 words pertaining to apartments, homes
 vocabulary review
14. Additional verbs
 hatt, aja, sireb
 words pertaining to directions
 words pertaining to seasons
 map of Israel/Palestine
15. Additional verbs
 dall, akal, ata
 numbers above 100
 the connective ma
16. Final oral and written exams
SCHEDULE OF AL QUDS COURSE SESSIONS (all Tuesday and Thursday)
Block One:
Jan 15, 17
Jan 22, 24
Jan 29, 31
Block Two:
Feb 26, 28
Mar 5
Block Three:
Mar 26, 28
Apr 2, 4
Apr 9, 11
Apr 16
DAILY SCHEDULE
Two classes. Divide group of 25 students into two classes:
Class one: 8:00am to 10:00am
Class two: 10:30am to 12:30pm