Conversational Arabic: Second Steps
This is a
course for those who have made a beginning in learning Arabic, either through
'First Steps' at the Summer School, or elsewhere. The tutor and her husband,
who have spent many years in Arab countries, will help you move though the next
stages in the mysteries of this beautiful language, and give you confidence in
speaking and understanding simple conversations in Arabic. This course will be
conducted orally and with transliterated texts, but will offer an option for
those who wish to learn more about Arabic reading and writing.
Arabic, the language
of Islam and the official language of 26 states, spoken by over 400 million
people, remains a mystery to many. If you have moved beyond the beginner's
stage in approaching the language, you will have begun to appreciate the
apparently strange script and some sounds which a European voice finds hard to
reproduce!
This course aims to
take you to the point where you can confidently hold conversations, for example
in shops and restaurants, with friends and family, in social situations, etc.
Written materials for the course will be in transcription, and there will be
more opportunities to learn Arabic script and practise forming letters.
Students will be provided
with a copy of the BBC "Talk Arabic” course book. You need bring nothing other
than a notebook (for your own notes, to supplement the handouts) and
pen/pencil.
Sibella Laing
About Sibella
Sibella Laing, a qualified (Dip TEFLA) English
Language teacher and teacher trainer, studied Arabic in Lebanon, and worked in
universities and institutes abroad while accompanying her husband Stuart in his
diplomatic career. Together they lived in several Arab countries, most recently
when Stuart was Ambassador in Muscat, Oman, and later in Kuwait. On leaving the
Foreign Office, Stuart was Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge,
2008-2018. He researches and writes on Arab and East African history. Stuart
and Sibella, who have taught well-received courses on elementary Arabic as
lecturers on cruise ships, as well as at recent Summer Schools, will deliver this course
together.
