Course Offerings and Descriptions

Arabic I: Full year – One Credit – Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Fee: Required

Course Description:

By the end of this course, students will have been introduced to the characteristics of the Arabic language, and learned all the Arabic letters and sounds with correct pronunciation. They will have been also exposed to specific basic grammatical concepts, and will be able to apply them in writing and conversing as well. Students will also have built a basic list of vocabulary in MSA and Colloquial Arabic that will allow them to have simple
conversation on specific topics, comprehend certain situations and be able to ask some basic questions and respond to them as well. Moreover students will be exposed to some cultural situations, discuss some important cultural aspects of the Arab world and learn to understand and appreciate differences. In short, Elementary I will lead students to the beginning of the development of the four language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening
and Speaking, along with cultural understanding.

Arabic II: Full year – One Credit – Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Attain “Proficiency” in Arabic I (or instructor permission)
Fee: Required

Course Description:

By the end of this year, the course will be mainly conducted in Arabic, and students would have reached intermediate proficiency level in Arabic. The approximate 300 words that students will add to their vocabulary, along with the grammatical concepts that they will develop, will allow students to further enhance the four language skills within a comprehensible cultural frame. Hence, Students will be able to speak about themselves,
and their environment, initiate and sustain conversations on a number of topics and narrate in present, past and future time frames. Consequently, they will be able to write about, comprehend, ask questions and respond to questions dealing with these familiar topics. Students will further develop their grammatical knowledge and will be able to understand and use various grammatical concepts as well as the concept that will allow them to properly use an Arabic dictionary. Moreover, students will be familiar with many aspects of the diverse Arabic culture, such as social and religious customs and traditions, family life and education and thus they will learn how to build an appreciation to it. Consequently, they will feel more comfortable on how to act and carry themselves in authentic Arabic settings.