Arabic Lower Intermediate (full syllabus)

In this complete Arabic beginner to intermediate course, you’ll learn the vocabulary and grammar needed for a wide variety of real-world scenarios such as describing daily routines, talking about professions and travel discussing sports and buying food. You will also learn how to make appointments, write letters and read newspapers.

You’ll move beyond basic grammar to cover the verb position in Arabic sentences and the function of verbs known as Sisters of Kana. We will share the secrets of the language through exploring forms of verbs, patterns and root systems. You will also learn how to use passive sentences in Arabic.

At the end of the year, you will have achieved CEFR A1/A2 level of the Common European Framework Reference of language learning.

Who is it for?

Join us here if you have completed the Arabic beginners syllabus or have studied Arabic for at least 60 hours with another provider. You may have a rusty GCSE or can communicate at CEFR A1 level. See the eligibility section.

Timetable

The course includes 60 hours of learning and is taught across three terms, starting in October and finishing in July.

October – December (Part 1)

One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for 10 consecutive weeks.

Christmas Break

January – March (Part 2)

One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for 10 consecutive weeks.

Easter break

April/May – July (Part 3)

One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for 10 consecutive weeks.

Benefits

• Benefit from a discount by signing up for the full syllabus, rather than paying for each 10-week module separately
• Class sizes are small, creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment
• Online teaching environment
• Awarded City St George's, University of London certificate
• Plenty of one-to-one contact time with your qualified Arabic tutor.

By the end of this course you will be able to

• describe the weather and the four seasons
• talk in detail about family members, relationships, daily routines and activities
• chat about events in the past, present, and future
• provide and obtain personal information
• make appointments and schedules, and describe festivities
• read newspapers, write postcards, formal and informal letters using correct terms of address
• describe floor plans, house fixtures, and furniture
• describe shops, local facilities and their locations
• discuss sports and food
• describe geographical directions and signs
• describe professions and travel-related activities
• understand some media, television and radio programmes.

Grammatical structures

• introduction to partitive nouns
• verb position in Arabic sentences
• negative imperative
• introduction to passive sentences
• expressing reasons
• introduction to grammatical function of verbs known as Sisters of Kana
• relative pronouns
• introduction to the secrets of the language: forms of the verb, patterns and root systems
• dual and plural nouns in Idafa structure
• negative past tense and future
• expressing intention, uncertainty and preferences
• using relative nouns
• expressing frequency, possibility and exception
• introduction to comparative nouns
• revisiting the comparatives and superlatives.

You will be awarded an official City St George's, University of London certificate on completion of the course. You must attend over 70 per cent of the classes to be eligible for the certificate.

There is no formal assessment but there is weekly homework consisting of grammar and comprehension exercises.

Teaching

The teaching methods combine a mixture of role play, group work and discussion, to make your lessons engaging and interactive. Lesson content is uploaded to our digital learning platform, Moodle – so you can access course materials remotely, supporting what you learn in class.

The lessons feature the use of newspapers, audio and video clips, which help give you an insight into the Arabic way of life – including Middle East politics, society and religious values.

The book used on this course is Ahlan wa Sahlan: Functional Modern Standard Arabic for Beginners.

It is the right level if you:

• have completed our full Arabic beginners syllabus, or equivalent course elsewhere
• can communicate at low CEFR A1 level, according to the Common European Framework Reference of languages
• have at least 60 hours of prior formal study
• or you have a rusty GCSE.

You should already know how to:

• request and decline things politely
• express contrast and reasons
• report what other people say
• describe daily activities
• use the verb Kana
• compare and contrast.

If this isn’t the right course for you, we offer a range of levels.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.