Course information

Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

This course covers the basics of the Arabic language including numbers, genders and greetings, while introducing some basic elements of writing. It follows the prescribed text to allow easy reference and practise between sessions. No prior knowledge of the language is required.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• recognise all characters of the Modern Standard Arabic alphabet and other special characters
• pronounce properly the guttural sounds that aren’t found in European and English languages
• differentiate between long vowels and short vowels (written and oral)
• differentiate between sounds that seem similar for non-native speakers
• recognise the varying shapes of each letter depending on its position in the word
• employ approximately 750 words and several phrases
• speak and understand basic greetings in your formal and colloquial forms
• read and write simple short sentences and phrases.

Content

• Greetings
• Letters – alif, baa, taa, and thaa
• Short vowels – fatHa, damma, and kasra
• Long vowels – aa, uu, ii
• Connecting and non-connecting letters
• Jiim, haa, khaa, waaw, and yaa
• Short vowels – sukoon
• Hamza, daal, raa, zaay, siin,shiin, saad, daad
• The Shadda
• Taa, Dhaa, A'ayn, ghayn, faa, qaaf, kaaf, laam
• The laam alif
• Miim, nuun and haa
• The alif laam
• The dagger alif
• Numbers 1-10
• Writing one letter particles
• Using the dictionary
• Hadritak and Hadritik
• Meeting people
• Introductions
• Genders
• Addressing people
• ItfaDaal and ItfaDaali
• Expressing feelings
• Visiting people

Intended audience

Suitable for beginner A1 level participants.

Prerequisites

None

Delivery style

Delivered as a series of interactive workshops where active participation is encouraged.

Prescribed text

Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds (3rd Edition 2021) by Brustad et al., Georgetown University Press, ISBN: 9781647121815.

Based on chapters 1 to 8 of the above text. The text is used for activities and forms the basis for consolidation and practise between meetings.

Textbooks should only be purchased once you receive confirmation from us. This usually occurs three days prior to class commencement.

Suggested textbook supplier

Language Book Centre
languagebooks.com.au

Please note that in some cases, our suggested supplier may not stock your prescribed text. Please check stock availability prior to signing up for any membership.