Dear learners of Arabic as a foreign language,
We would like to invite you to a journey of exploring our innovative methodology of teaching and learning. Have you ever wondered how students learn, what makes certain students learn faster than others, what motivates them?
Specialists at the Syrian Virtual University would like to introduce to you an innovative methodology based on the ACTFL Guidelines we have named the Arabic Learning System (ALS). It offers insights into accelerating language acquisition through flexible deliverables.
Integration into the Curriculum
The ALS Program offers you flexibility in that it combines an instructor-based teaching and a stand-alone element for individualized instruction; both tracks have substantial deliverable content. The ALS is specifically designed for non-native and/or heritage learners of Arabic who have little to no knowledge of Arabic.
The ALS comprises two main programs: AFL (Arabic as a Foreign Language), and ASP (Arabic for Specific Purposes).
1- AFL Format
AFL is based on a language model divided into three major levels: Novice, Intermediate, and
Advanced--adopting the framework set by the 2012 ACFTL Guidelines. These major levels are further divided into sub-levels: Low, Mid, and High. Historically, it has taken students approximately five weeks to complete each sub-level, and as such the program is geared to that end.
Interactive self-paced content
AFL simultaneously incorporates print based instruction along with interactive, self-paced content within multimedia learning objects (i.e., voice, animation, and video), which are bolstered by back-end, performance tracking. No program would be complete without interactive exercises that provide direct, detailed feedback creating an enriching, satisfying learning experience.
Pre-recorded Lectures
Each lesson comes with a pre-recorded lectures further enhancing explanations that focus on lesson content.
Real-time online lectures
Each unit ends up with a real-time online lecture led by a specialist instructor, allowing learners to interact directly with instructor and cover additional materials using cutting edge technologies.
One-on-one Virtual Meetings
We are proud to boast that this system offers office hours--one-on-one virtual meetings with a certified instructor of Arabic; quite possibly the most valuable feature to learners of any language; regardless of their proficiency level.
Assessment
Activities and tests have been placed at precise milestones within the program to measure the students’ progress throughout their study.
Exams are carried out at the end of each sub-level and main levels determining the proficiency of students.
The Arabic Variety Taught
Standard Arabic (SA) is the focus of teaching and learning. We understand the controversy
regarding the Arabic variety to be taught and we prefer to stay out of the fray. However,
the decision is made on employment prospects available for Arabic graduates. A position might involve monitoring print publications, listening to pan Arab radio and TV broadcasts, and reading official publications. Upon reaching higher levels of proficiency, they might take up a position to teach Arabic. They might work in interpreting and translating. All these tasks require proficiency in SA, hence the focus on this variety. Nonetheless, a lab component presents a list of communicative phrases relevant for every lesson pronounced in SA and another list of their equivalents presented in Syrian Arabic. No teaching or exercises for the colloquial component.
Accreditation
Being a state institution, SVU offers an accredited Arabic program. The Arabic Learning System program can be used as a series of language courses leading to a minor or a
major, or as supplementary material for an introductory course to Middle Eastern studies.
Cost of Using the AFL
Students or programs pay for the sub-level in which the student is placed. The cost per sublevel is US$300. Payment details will be sent later upon registration.
2- ASP Format
Arabic for Specific Purposes program (ASP) is designed for those learners who would like to gain more insights in specific proficiencies, such as diplomacy, business administration, tourism, Arabic literature, media ..etc.
ASP starts upon completing the intermediate or advanced level in AFL. It follows a learner-centered method and focuses on life-like context in the desired area. It depends mainly on online interaction between learners and tutors, enabling offering external resources (different publications and media).
The launch of each specialised track is conditioned by the availability of learners willing to register. The duration of each package is 2 months period, and the cost is 500USD.
Adopting the AFL
For registration, please fill in the application on: https://linguais.svuonline.org/TIS/signup.php
For more information, please visit the program website: https://admin-arabicsoftonline.org/, or contact us directly: Mrs. Saya Ghojal, Director of SVU Lifelong Learning Centre, email: lfl_director@svuonline.org and telephone (+963 932 691 600), we would be more than happy to speak with you about starting your program on this remarkable journey.
Cordially,
Professor Dr. Khalil Ajami
Rector Of SVU
SVU President Speech
Novice level:
Upon completion of this level, learners are expected to gain the proficiency to perform the following tasks in each of the four basic skills as specified
by American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFEL-2012):
Speaking:
• Communicate using short expressions related to basic personal information and social situations.
• Ask for and give clarification, explanations, and information.
• Express general messages, but need to rephrase words, expressions, and find other ways of expressing ideas.
Writing:
• Write short messages, postcards, and lists.
• Copy simple sentences to express ideas using practiced materials.
• Fill ready-made models (templates) and write simple formal documents.
• Copy familiar words and frequent sentences.
• Write the letters of the alphabet with their various shapes and places within words.
Listening:
• Understand greetings, introductions, compliments, expressions, and conversations related to personal and social topics.
• Respond to direct questions and common instructions.
• Understand key words, typical expressions, and frequently occurring sentences.
• Identify the names of countries and adjectives related to these countries, vacations, colors, shapes, numbers, days of the week, and months of the year.
• Comprehend various types of dialogues and able to listen for details.
• Understand vocabulary, grammar, and basic functions of the Arabic language.
• Comprehend the general idea through pre-teaching of vocabulary.
Reading:
• Understand key words, patterned sentences, and frequent expressions.
• Comprehend various types of texts related to directions, seasons, days of the week, months of the year, compliments, and expressions used in social situations.
• Comprehend the meaning of words from context through a supportive environment and/or through predicting and using key words and familiar patterned expressions.
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Upon
completion of this level. teamers are expected to gain the proficiency to perform
the following tasks in each of the four basic skills as specified by American
Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFEL -2012):
Speaking:
•
Express their own ideas about everyday practical life topics, personal issues
and social events
• Ask
for clarification and/or explanation, take part in discussions and speak at a
normal speed with little hesitation in familiar topics
•
Narrate and describe subjects using sentence - level language, expressions and
vocabulary they have learned before
•
Paraphrase and use language accurately using appropriate time expressions,
mainly in present time
• Talk
clearly enough to be by native speakers
Writing:
•
Compose sentences, paragraphs and medium sized texts related to massages and
uncomplicated topics such as (personal issues and social needs)
• Use
appropriate time expressions in storytelling and describing things, especially
in present tense form
• Write
texts using basic sentences, vocabulary and structures concerning social topics
and daily activities
• Write
clearly enough to be understood by natives
Listening:
•
Understand complete sentences related to familiar social and daily activities
•
Comprehend clear face to face conversation and contextualized expressions,
directions ..etc, depending on high frequency vocabulary and paraphrasing
•
Understand specific topics when setting convenient pre-listening tasks,
contextual clues and keywords
•
Deduce the basic meaning of unfamiliar topics usually connected to the higher
level
Reading:
•
Understand simple and predictable texts, such as those related to personal,
social, and daily life topics
•
Understand contextualized expressions that contain high frequency-vocabulary
and convey basic information
•
Comprehend straight forward texts related to describing or storytelling. They
may not fully understand complex texts but they will be able to achieve a
gist/global understanding
Lingua