A great diversity of Arabic culture nationalities (Moroccans, Algerians, Tunisians, Lebanese, Syrians…), together with other cultures which have Arabic as a common language for religious and legal issues (Turkish, Persian, Afghan…) and a big range of Practising Muslims coexist in Europe. For that reason, the given scenery has been chosen to develop the majority of the actions of the characters in this Arabic course. It offers a real context in which the previously mentioned variety is placed.
This course is aimed at any learner who wants to communicate. The speakers, lesson by lesson, use Standard Modern Arabic to communicate in daily life situations.
The characters in the book belong to different Arab countries; so that, the learner is able to get used to listening and understanding several accents. Moreover, a distinction has been made between printed Standard Modern Arabic, which is used, even for oral communication, by broadcasters on the media and Standard Relaxed Arabic, which is used by any literate Arabic speaker, who cares about using the right language structure but who does not decline and maintains localism (local language characteristics).
Ash-Shallal corresponds to B1, according to the Common European Framework of Reference Levels. It provides over 200 hours of school lessons; apart from a minimum of 150 of students’ self-learning (practice and revision).
As our main goal is natural communication, the starting point in every unit is listening. It is hoped that students say what is previously listened to, and they write what is firstly read. That is to say, listening leads to speaking and reading enables writing. The student listens and learns new vocabulary by ear (that is the reason why the listening scripts are not printed on the main corpus of the lessons). Afterward, students speak to practise the new language. Then, they read and so they can see the taught lexis in written words. And, finally, they write what they have already learnt to say and read.
Specific references to phonetic and spelling aspects are also found in every lesson, so that teachers can pay attention to especially difficult matters, which should be qualified and polished. An-Nafura also includes cultural issues which are related to everyday situations. It is no culture with C (Literature, Art…), but simply, learning to behave.
