Cultural and Community Center

Introduction to Arabic Language for adults

Spring Course 2012

PLACE: The green room on the main floor of the ACCC.

DURTION, DAY& TIME: The course will begin on Feb.13 and end on Apr. 25, 2012 (11 weeks). Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 – 8:30 PM, (Twice a week).

Instructor: Nasser AL-khoury

Instructor's e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Course Objectives

• To build your foundation of Arabic language at the Elementary level in Modern Standard Arabic in all four skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) following a Proficiency-oriented teaching methodology

• To introduce you to various aspects of Arab culture

Textbooks and learning materials

1. We will use at the first two weeks the book of Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds (Al-Kitaab Arabic Language Program) Third Edition, by K. Brustad, M, Al-Batal and A. Al-Tonsi.

2. Chapters 1- 4 of Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-'Arabiyya, Part I: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Second Edition by K. Brustad, M. Al-Batal and A. Al-Tonsi.

Homework and Preparation

Students are expected to study Arabic DAILY for 1-2 hours.

Grading

Quizzes 30%

At the end of every chapter (approximately every two weeks). Exact date will be announced by instructor.

Oral presentations (About 10 minutes- last week) 20%

To test oral skills at the end of the semester – Topic of your choice

Final 30%

To test all materials covered during the whole course

Attendance, homework and participation 20%

Teacher Biography:

My name is Nasser Elias Al-Khoury. I was born in Amman, Jordan on June 9, 1971 and acquired a Bachelors Degree in Theology and Masters in Christian-Muslim studies from Balamand University, Lebanon. I taught Christian religion in schools and colleges in Amman as well as tutoring in Arabic language to intermediate and advanced Arabic students. Additionally I have published in many articles in Alrai newspaper on cultural, religious and political topics.

I have been living in US since May 10, 2010, and I have been teaching Arabic language (intermediate levels) at UC Berkeley for nearly one year. I am planning to pursue my PhD in the field of comparative religion, mainly Christianity and Islam.