Language Course Descriptions

How to Choose Your Language Level

If you can complete one or more of the tasks listed below, we believe you would be a great fit for either Arabic 102 or Mandarin-Chinese 102 level:

1. I can request and provide information by asking and answering a few simple questions on very familiar and everyday topics.
2. I can present a few pieces of information about myself. 
3. I can present on very familiar and everyday topics using a mixture of practiced or memorized words or  phrases.

Course Descriptions

Arabic 101 starts with Arabic alphabet. Students explore authentic products and practices of Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, etc, Arabic-speaking countries. Students meet new friends and get to know them using culturally appropriate greetings. They will learn how to interact with Arabs by way of introducing themselves, their families, and others. Students will compare these greeting customs to their own culture. Students will describe daily life like weather, home, family, and friends. Students will be able to read and react to signs on shops, restaurant menus, etc. They make plans for what they want to eat and do in different areas. Students learn how to order a falafel. Towards the end of this course, students will have gained a cultural and linguistic awareness allowing them to function in basic, real-life scenarios in the Arab world.

Arabic 102 Students will learn how to interact with different people using culturally appropriate terms of address. They will learn how social status and relationships affect how one uses language. They will delve into the complexities of Arabic kinship terms as they further study the central role the family plays in society. Building on their ability to express likes/dislikes, students will learn how to inquire about preferences related to daily life like weather conditions, home, family, friends, transportation, food while adding to and building on the vocabulary from Arabic 101. Then they will learn to compare these preferences to their own. They will learn how to navigate their journey by asking for directions and transportation possibilities.

Chinese 101 starts with the basic Chinese pronunciation system and how Chinese writing works. Students will experience authentic tasks around self-introduction, family, friends, food, hobbies, and festivals. Students meet and greet others, exchange biographical information in Chinese with new friends. They interview peers and talk about their hobbies and family members. Students learn to order food and drinks from a Chinese restaurant. By the end of the course, students will be able to give an oral and written presentation about themselves, friends, and family use their newly gained language skills.

Chinese 102 Students will experience authentic tasks around food, travel, shopping, and language learning experiences. They exchange information, ideas, and opinions in Chinese with new friends. They interact with peers and talk about their school life, describe their shopping experience and fashion trends. Students discuss their Chinese learning experience and learn how to make an appointment. They identify typical practices and popular products in the target culture and compare those practices and products to those of their culture. During the class, students will participate in Chinese cultural activities, prepare a skit in Chinese, practice calligraphy, give a presentation about shopping, fashion, and travel. By the end of the course, students will have gained invaluable real-world experience and use their newly gained language skills to perform tasks related to making an appointment, travel, shopping, and fashion.