Arabic for Beginners: Arabic Alphabet and Phonology (Coursera)

Firstly, learners will master the recognition and identification of the Arabic Alphabet and numbers, laying the foundational skills essential for effective communication.

Furthermore, learners will delve into the nuances of gender-specific language by distinguishing between the feminine and masculine aspects, contributing to a more nuanced and culturally sensitive use of Arabic. The curriculum also places a strong emphasis on practical application, as students engage in elementary Arabic reading and writing exercises, honing their linguistic abilities. To enhance conversational proficiency, the specialization integrates audiovisual aids and group work, fostering an immersive learning experience.

Lastly, students will broaden their communicative competence by describing and comparing a variety of topics relevant to their lives, ensuring that language acquisition is not only functional but also culturally contextualized. This approach creates a dynamic and engaging environment, facilitating a holistic and effective Arabic language learning experience.

This course is the first of a three-course specialization in elementary Arabic. It begins with an introduction to the phonology and script of Modern Standard Arabic. During this initial phase, the learners are also introduced to common greetings, expressions, and simple phrases.

This course is part of the Arabic for Beginners Specialization.

What you'll learn

- Recognize and identify the Arabic Alphabet and numbers.

- Distinguish between the feminine and masculine language specifics.

- Practice elementary Arabic through listening, reading and writing tasks, and assessments.

- Listen to audiovisual artifacts and make sense of and reflections about different personal, work, and life situations.

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to the Arabic Language and Letters

Arabic العَرَبِيةُ is the classical language of the sixth century, a time frame that coincides with birth and early life of the prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Arabic derives from the Afro-asiatic family of languages and is spoken by 300 million people across the world and mainly in North Africa, the Middle East, and the horn of Africa. The globalized nature of education, economics, trade, and politics have shown that learning a second language is a critical component of understanding other cultures and establishing a universal career path. The Arabic Alphabet الحُرُوف العَرَبِيَّة is made of 28 letters and is written from right to left in a cursive style where vowels are placed above or below the letters. In this module students will learn brief history and fun facts about the Arabic language. Students will also learn the Arabic Alphabet and numbers.

Module 2: Arabic Alphabet

The Arabic Alphabet الحُرُوف العَرَبِيَّة is made of 28 letters and is written from right to left in a cursive style where vowels are placed above or below the letters. In this module students will learn brief history and fun facts about the Arabic language. Students will also learn the Arabic Alphabet and numbers.

Module 3: Numbers, Days of the Week, Greetings, and Simple Words

This module introduces you to Arabic words for the numbers 1 - 20 as well as the seven days of the week.

Module 4: Greetings and Colors

This module covers many common greeting phrases and colors.

Module 5: Arabic Useful Phrases

This module builds on the previous one as it introduces the learner to other commonly used phrases and day-to-day expressions.