Arabic for Elementary School Students, Basic Part I

Course Description

Description

This course is designed for students without any prior exposure to the Arabic language and culture. The course covers eight topics about everyday life, such as the home, clothes, animals, and useful expressions. It takes a fun, interactive approach with course materials appropriate to elementary school children. Students will enjoy wonderful online cultural tours to help them learn about Arabic countries and their history, traditions, and food. Students will learn to sing a few Arabic songs and interact with the instructors and other students using Internet-based software. The course not only gives young students a great start to learning 100 key Arabic words, but also provides helpful ways to expand their reading vocabulary. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of all materials provided to them in hopes of aiding their learning and retention of the new language. Practice, practice, practice—practicing is the key to learning any new language. Students will also be offered the opportunity of participating in fun games to practice their lessons.

Students who have successfully completed Arabic for Elementary School Students, Part I should be able to:

• Recognize and pronounce any Arabic word
• Recite the Arabic alphabet
• Recognize the difference in pronouncing consonants, long vowels, and short vowels
• Write Arabic letters and words in all their different shapes 
• Construct simple sentences in Arabic
• Use daily expressions in appropriate cultural contexts
• Use different ways of greeting 
• Introduce themselves
• Practice proper Arab etiquette

Online courses are held twice per week. Students interact with the instructors and other students using Internet-based software. Course materials include a textbook, workbook, and CD-ROM purchased separately by the student.

Interactive virtual online sessions are held in the evenings (both EST and PST). A school's need to hold daytime sessions for its students will be honored whenever possible.

Separate conversations between each student and the instructor or teaching assistant are arranged individually.

Materials Needed

A textbook purchase is required for this course:

 Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds [With DVD] (Al-Kitaab Arabic Language Program) (Arabic Edition) [Paperback] by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal; Abbas Al-Tonsi.

ISBN: 9781589016323

Students will also need a headset with microphone.

Detailed Course Information

Course Details

Unit One

This unit will introduce you to the first four letters of the Arabic Alphabet and to the long and short vowels.

Unit Two

In this unit you will learn three more consonants; they are the next three letters in the alphabet. These letters have the same basic shape.

Unit Three

In this unit you will learn about the second function of the alif and the next four consonants in the alphabet.

Unit Four

In this unit you will learn the symbol for doubling consonants and the next four letters of the alphabet in sequence.

Unit Five

In this unit you will learn about the feminine ending letter and the next four consonants in the alphabet.

Unit Six

In this unit you will learn four new consonants and more vocabulary.

Unit Seven

In this unit, you will learn the last three letters of the alphabet, the numbers, and more vocabulary.

Unit Eight

In this unit you will learn about the definite article, more about initial hamza, and more vocabulary.

Unit Nine

In this unit you will learn the final spelling of alif, and more about writing the consonant hamza.

Unit Ten

In this unit you will learn about certain grammatical marks that are used in formal Arabic.

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System Requirements

All CTYOnline courses require a properly maintained computer with Internet access and a recent version web browser (such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari). Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc.).

This course makes use of online audio communication. Broadband internet access, a microphone, and headphones are required.

The CD-ROM for this course requires Microsoft Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, or Vista. It is also compatible with Mac OS.

CTYOnline Foreign Language - Comments and Feedback from Students, Parents, and Teachers

Reviews

Quotes:

"My son thoroughly enjoys his Arabic course. In fact, it is his favorite course. The instructor has instilled a passion in him for learning not only the language, but the culture as well! He truly walks around the house speaking Arabic now. I don't understand what he is saying, but I love it!”

"Our family lives in rural America without much way of cultural diversions. When giving my daughter her first JHU CTY catalog, we were surprised but supportive when she picked Arabic. She is now in her 3rd semester and we see her practicing and going to class. However, we have no reference points on really how well she is doing outside of her grades. This all changed the other night.
In the next town over, there is a Greek and Mediterranean restaurant. The waiter, and presumably owner, had a Mediterranean appearance and an indistinguishable accent. When he mentioned he was from Lebanon, I told him that my daughter was learning Arabic. He began to talk with her and she answered quickly. The conversation was over in about 4 sentences but it left the waiter wide eyed. Apparently he used some non-standard conversational words and my daughter followed along and answered appropriately. When he asked me where she was learning Arabic, I told him all about JHU.
I am now talking with my daughter about helping her start an Arabic Club that would meet once month at this restaurant. She is also starting to tutor her 20 year old "cool" cousin on Arabic who has been teaching herself Arabic from a book, but did not know proper pronunciation of the alphabet or words. This too has been very motivational.
I would like to say thank you to you and all the JHU CTY staff. You are changing lives!"

"An enthusiastic teacher, engaging presentations and an overwhelming sense of ease and congeniality at class time have made my daughter's foreign language study both meaningful and memorable."