Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
1. Course
Code
C47AY
2. Course
Title
Arabic Beginners Elective 2
3. SCQF
Level
5. School
Management and Languages
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Approved Learning Partner
Sem. 2.
Sem…….
Sem………..
Sem……..
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Name …………………………………Sem………..
6. Course
Co-ordinator
8. Pre-requisites
C47AX or CEF equivalent
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
10. Excluded Courses
Semester 1 and Semester 2 are synoptically linked.
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
4. Credits
15
Ms Charlene Constable
None
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
7
UG only
PG only
UG & PG
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
15. Aims

To equip students with a thorough command of the basics of the written and spoken forms of Modern Standard Arabic, and to familiarise students with colloquial
dialects
 To communicate orally and in writing in Arabic, using simple sentence structures
 To understand and respond to authentic spoken discourse (simple statements, dialogues, questions)
 To apply and extend basic grammatical structures to a variety of communicative situations
16. Syllabus
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Practise reproducing authentic pronunciation
Practise producing the handwritten form of the Arabic alphabet
Practise reading the printed form of Arabic, both with and without diacritical marks
Develop knowledge of basic grammatical rules and patterns and apply these to a range of situations (grammar covered: statements and questions; personal
pronouns; nominal sentences; nisba adjectives; construct phrases; verbal sentences; negation; possessive pronouns; object pronouns; prepositions; adverbials;
perfect & imperfect tenses; cases; sound & broken plurals; roots & patterns; derived forms both sound and weak; word order; numbers & polarization)
 Practise listening skills based on dialogues and speech produced by native speakers of Arabic
 Write simple texts based on the grammar and the topics covered
 Read simple texts based on the grammar and the topics covered
 Use the root and pattern system to look up words in different types of Arabic dictionary
 Practise culturally appropriate politeness strategies
Topics to be covered: greetings; introductions; naming things; describing a person; family; numbers & counting; geography of the Middle East; making appointments; asking
& telling the time; describing professions; asking for & giving directions; travel & study; foodstuffs & meals; money; Arab & Islamic history and Arabic culture
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Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Personal Abilities
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Skills
 Engage in simple spontaneous conversation with peers and native speakers of Arabic
 Present information orally in Arabic in order that a sympathetic native speaker can understand
 Demonstrate ability to understand and respond in English and Arabic to authentic spoken discourse
 Produce simple written texts for a specific purpose in accurate and idiomatic Arabic
 Respond accurately to written stimuli in Arabic for various practical purposes
 Develop a knowledge of the grammar of the Arabic language and apply that knowledge to various communicative situations (both orally and
in writing)
 Develop a knowledge of the role of Arab-Islamic culture as it relates to using Arabic in a variety of communicative contexts
 Use appropriate reference and support materials appropriately (e.g CALL materials, VLE, on-line and print dictionaries)
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
Communication, Numeracy & ICT
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18. Assessment Methods
Method
Self-management skills fostered by the need to be committed to a purpose, to manage self-study effectively and to work to deadlines
Ability to gather and sort information
Communicate effectively in Arabic in both writing and in speech
Analyse simple texts in Arabic for a specific purpose
Respond accurately and appropriately to various written and aural stimuli
Structure and make presentations
Demonstrate capability to engage with and respond appropriately to cultural differences
Work effectively with others to produce an output (written or oral) that meets a specific brief
Use ICT for language-learning purposes appropriately
19. Re-assessment Methods
Duration of Exam
Weighting (%)
Synoptic courses?
Method
Duration of Exam
Diet(s)
(if applicable)
Formative Assessment: Lecturer,
peer and self-assessment of various
written, aural comprehension, oral
exercises (group discussions, role
plays, partner discussions)
Continuous Assessment: Lecturer
and on-line assessment of various
written, aural comprehension and oral
exercises.
Summative Assessment: Written
examination
(if applicable)
50%
2 hours
examination at end
of semester
50%
Exam during resit diet.
2 hours
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
Version
Number
2/2