Introduces Modern Standard Arabic: the alphabet, vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and listening/speaking skills. Covers basic conversational skills. Presents Arabic culture. Note: Not open to native speakers of Arabic, or students with ARA-131 credit or its equivalent.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
ARA-130 is intended for students with no previous knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic. This course is designed to enable students to reach the Novice Low level on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scale, focusing on language learning through communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities.
- Greetings, introductions, and farewells
- Phonetics
- Alphabet
- Numbers
- Gender and article agreement
- Dialectal differences
- Core vocabulary
- Arab culture
- Use appropriate greetings, introductions, and farewells
- Demonstrate knowledge of phonetics through the comprehensible pronunciation of letters and words
- Recognize and demonstrate verbal and written knowledge of the Arabic alphabet and sound system
- Recognize and produce the numbers 0-10
- Demonstrate knowledge of gender and article agreement of some nouns, pronouns, and adjectives
- Explain the differences between formal and spoken Arabic
- Define and actively use basic vocabulary in Arabic
- Describe aspects of Arab culture that differ from the U.S. norm
Note: A grade of C- is not transferable and is not accepted by some programs at HFC.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of academic achievement will be identified and implemented by the class instructor. Methods will include, but not be limited to:
- Participation
- Weekly/regular quizzes
- Homework assignments
- Chapter/unit tests
- Oral/receptive-expressive exam(s)
- Midterm/final exam
All sections of this level will use a textbook (and any accompanying materials) selected by the course coordinator and approved by the World Languages Committee.
Outcomes
- Humanities and Fine Arts