Module manager: Abdul-Bashid Shaikh
Email: A.B.Shaikh@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is for people who have no previous knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic. If you already have CEFR A1 or above then this module is not for you. It is not possible to take this module if you are enrolled on a single or joint honours degree programme in Arabic. For information about the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) see https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale).
ARAB1015 Arabic for beginners
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module covers basic Modern Standard Arabic language that you can use to communicate about yourself. Modern Standard Arabic is the official language of 22 countries across the Middle East and North Africa and has an estimated 335 million users. The module is at A1 level of the CEFR. If this module runs in both semesters, you can take it in either semester 1 or semester 2 but not both. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
Through this module you study the basic Modern Standard Arabic language needed to communicate about yourself such as personal details, your home, people important to you, your daily routine, your likes and dislikes, your interests, and your studies. You will learn relevant vocabulary, start to become familiar with the sounds of the language, and gain basic knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic grammar in the present and future tenses.
Through the Modern Standard Arabic you hear in class you will become familiar with classroom language. Class activities are communicative/task-based and involve working in pairs or groups.
You are expected to self study between classes as well as preparing for the assessment. You are encouraged to make use of the resources in the Language Zone (https://students.leeds.ac.uk/languagezone), use digital resources, and engage in other opportunities to put language skills into practice outside the taught sessions.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Communicate about yourself in Modern Standard Arabic with sufficient clarity to be understood by a proficient Modern Standard Arabic user
2. Use familiar everyday Modern Standard Arabic expressions and very basic phrases in the present and future tenses
3. Identify and persevere with opportunities by adopting appropriate learning strategies
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practicals | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 80 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Feedback in class on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Feedback on a draft video.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Video | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The assessment is marked on a pass-fail basis (see https://students.leeds.ac.uk/results/doc/explanation-marks).
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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