Arabic

Arabic is spoken in more than twenty countries from North-West Africa to the Arabian Gulf.  In the context of today’s international politics and the tension between Islam and the West knowledge of Arabic is a valuable qualification.

Beginners (level 1)

This is for learners with no prior knowledge of Arabic.  You will learn basic skills to enable you to make yourself understood and to find out information in everyday situations.

Course Content

 Getting started with reading and writing the Arabic alphabet and script. Topics covered in class include: meeting people and introducing oneself (family, profession and country of origin), describing family tree, polite requests, asking and answering about time, going shopping, everyday routine, and physical description of people and objects. High frequency vocabulary and basic grammar relevant to these themes are also introduced in class integratedly with communication skills. 

Post-beginners (level 2)

Is for those who can manage in everyday situations using the present tense.  You will probably have reached level A1 in the European Language Portfolio or completed a beginners course.

Course content

Describing holidays using the past tense, hobbies (i.e. common activities, how often they are practised, places where activities take place). Festivals (i.e. writing invitation cards, messages, describing the food in these celebrations). Using the present tense, understanding the announcement for: trains, boats, coaches, asking about tourist facilities (castles, temples, mosques) enquiring about days/times of opening and closing, booking and buying tickets, understanding advertisements, signs and notices, using demonstrative pronouns and talking about feelings, health matters, describing illness. Booking appointments, applying for jobs, completing application forms.