The Cactus Course Outlines provide a learning framework for the Cactus Foreign Language Evening Courses. They are designed to provide you with a good idea of what you might cover over a 10-week period, and include typical themes, grammar and vocabulary fields. They are flexible rather than prescriptive, in that our teachers may decide to adapt their learning plans to the specific level, aims and interests of their classes.

• Arabic Level 1
• Arabic Level 2

Arabic Level 1

The course covers grammar, reading and writing practice as well as an insight into the culture of the region. Students will learn the basics of the language and be able to build up enough knowledge to read and write at a beginner plus level. Given the subtle differences between eastern and western cultures, it is beneficial to the students to be aware of such differences which are embedded in the language

• Introductions – The Arabic alphabet, reading and writing, with special emphasis on unfamiliar sounds
• Joining letters to make up words and phrases
• Greetings and introductions
• Forms of address in the feminine and masculine
• Talking about oneself and one’s family
• Expressing thanks, and making requests
• Learning Arabic numerical, the time and counting
• Etiquette in private and public places
• Daily routines: work, shopping, leisure

Grammar

• Present
• Possessive pronouns, feminine and masculine
• Singular and Plural, their irregularity with special emphasis on masculine and feminine
• Nouns in definite and indefinite form
• Adjectives, regular and irregular, their agreement with masculine and feminine words
• Affirmative, negative and interrogative forms
• Feminine and masculine usage
• Word order and sentence structure

Key vocabulary

• The home
• The family
• Key religious expressions and their usage in every day speech
• Days of the week and weekend (as this is different than in The West)
• Common idiomatic expressions
• Clothes, shopping and food
• Likes and dislikes

Reading and writing and spoken Arabic

• Practical drills to learn reading and writing
• Insight into difference between Modern Standard Arabic and regional dialects
• Listening comprehension
• Drills of unfamiliar alphabet
• Role play and extensive revisions of previous lessons to build up proper base
• Insight into cultural differences between countries in North Africa and The Middle East

Arabic Cactus Level 2

Continuing with a basic knowledge of Arabic, enabling students to understand how the language works and to start communication in Arabic in various situations. Extensive revision of previous lessons to build up a proper base. Further practice of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Themes/Lexical fields could include the following elements

• Towns, countries and people
• Geographical positions
• Talk about nationalities
• In the market
• What is it made of?
• There is / there isn't
• Counting; express how much and how many
• Shopping and using different Arabic currencies.
• Use Colours in their feminine and masculine forms.
• Describe what you have.

Grammar

• Asking questions with yes or no answer.
• Irregular plural with different patterns.
• Word order and sentence structure.
• Using adjectives
• Singular, dual and plural.
• Plural and singular with numbers
• Sentence Negation
• The root of words

Cultural content

• Use cultural expressions in a variety of contexts.
• Further etiquette in private and public places
• More common idiomatic expressions
• Deeper insight into difference between Modern Standard Arabic and regional dialects
• Deeper insight into cultural differences between countries in North Africa and The Middle East

Skills Work

• Practical drills to master reading and writing.
• Listening comprehension
• Write simple sentences using the Arabic script.
• Communicative role plays
• Practical assignments and tasks.