Arabic 101, 102: Elementary Modern Standard Arabic Sequence

Goals

1. Listening

The successful student will be able to grasp the meaning of short Modern Standard Arabic passages and simple face-to-face conversations (10-20 wordds). consisting of learned utterances dealing with basic survival needs (introductions, high-frequency commands and courtesy formulae, food, lodging, transportation, simple instrutions and directions), social conventions, and simple descriptions of persons, places and things. Repetition is often necessary for understanding.

2. Speaking

The successful student will be able to participate with an educated Arab in simple face-to-face conversations on familiar topics about personal and accomodation needs as described by the following list:

1. exchange greetings
2. make introductions using social niceties
3. extend, accept and decline invitations
4. ask and answer questions dealing with familiar materials
5. order a meal
6. ask and give directions
7. elicit and provide biographical information
8. talk about daily activities
9. provide short descriptions of people and objects

The successful student will be able to formulate statements and questions dealing with familiar material. There will be frequent errors in the use of nominal and verbal sentences due to the student's limited command of vocabulary and grammar.

3. Reading

The successful student will be able to read and comprehend lists of items dealing with basic personal and social needs (food, clothing, furniture, etc.) and printed short passages, including simple narratives and descriptions. The successful student will be able to get some main ideas and facts from simple connected texts (including messages, public announcements and short instructions). There will often be the need to read the printed material more than one time for understanding.

4. Writing

The successful student will be able to meet the following limited practical needs:

a) create statements and questions on familiar elementary topics

b) supply information on simple forms, such as hotel registration, passport and other travel documents

c) supply simple biographical information

d) write simple phone messages, excuses notes to friends, postcards and short personal letters

There will be occasional spelling and structural errors.

5. Culture

The successful student will develop an awareness of some aspects of Arab-Islamic life and culture involved in introductions, greetings, socializing, buying and selling, lifestyles, and education through reading of textual material, immediate use of cultural notes, videocassettes, visual stimuli such as photos, maps, charts, and attendance at Arab-Islamic social gatherings and group trips to places of interest.