Independent Study

Catalog description

This course focuses on one of the main dialects of Arabic (Egyptian, Levantine, Moroccan Darija). Dialects are spoken in homes and on the street and have a strong presence in television, cinema, and advertising. The course uses a communicative, proficiency-oriented approach with integrated audiovisual media to help students acquire a solid background in communicating using a dialect. Students may choose one of the three dialects and will be trained by a native speaker of that dialect to achieve the highest level of spoken proficiency and familiarity with the use of the dialect Students are introduced to basic words, phrases, expressions, and structures used in everyday life. Listening comprehension, oral reading practice, and interactive work are the main focus with emphasis on practical communication skills. The course uses a communicative methodology to build conversational competence through role-plays, simulations, and group work with native speakers, along with cultural context to improve cross-cultural communication. This course is technologically enhanced.