Arabic Summer School where Europe meets Africa
الدورة الصيفية لتعلم اللغة العربية حيث تلتقي أوروبا وإفريقيا

Improve your Arabic in Gibraltar’s unique setting حَسِّن عربيتك في جامعة جبل طارق، وعش تجربة فريدة من نوعها

  • Languages
  • Full Time
  • 7 Weeks
  • Start July 2021

About this course:

Studying Arabic at the University of Gibraltar gives you the opportunity to develop your proficiency and communication skills in Modern Standard Arabic. You will also learn the Moroccan dialect ‘Darija.’ At the same time, you will be able to explore and discover Gibraltar, a unique corner of the globe steeped in ancient history.
Gibraltar’s Islamic history spans over seven hundred years. The Muslim invaders, “The Moors,” began their occupation of Gibraltar in around 711 and contributed to the landscape of the Rock which is still evident today.

Course delivery:

This course is split between Modern Standard Arabic and the Moroccan dialect. ‘Darija’ is a challenging Arabic dialect, which has been shaped by the Berber languages of North Africa.
You will focus on comprehension and communication in this dialect as well as improving and enhancing your knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic. In addition, you will discover the culture, art and music of Morocco.
This course will take place in a safe learning environment. The course will be interactive and participative; and will allow you to develop your confidence, competence and employability skills.

During classroom time, you will work on:

  • Strengthening your spoken Arabic
  • Developing your reading and writing comprehension
  • Developing your listening skills
  • Expanding your lexis and acquisition of vocabulary in context
  • Improving your grammar and syntactic structure
  • Improving your reading through authentic texts pertaining to current issues
  • Strengthening your written skills through compositions
  • Expanding your knowledge of Arabic culture, history, art, music and literature

Topics include:

  • Consolidation of existing knowledge
  • Introducing yourself and greetings
  • Daily routines
  • Expressing preferences
  • Asking for and giving directions
  • Understanding instructions
  • Giving advice
  • Making plans
  • Explaining processes
  • Recounting stories using the past tense
  • Talking about activities in the present, past and future
  • Formulating discussions, using polite formulas for agreeing and disagreeing
  • Writing emails and correspondence
  • Idioms and rhetorical devices
  • Stylistic aspects of different literary genres
  • Understanding humour through anecdotes, Jeha stories
  • Moroccan history, culture, art and music

Learning outcomes:

When you have finished this course, you should have:

  • Enhanced your confidence and competence when using MSA in a variety of different situations
  • Been introduced to, and gained an understanding of Darija, the Moroccan dialect
  • Improved your reading and knowledge of various Arabic genres
  • Improved your confidence and ability when writing in Arabic script
  • Expanded your vocabulary and grammar base
  • Gained an understanding of idioms and rhetorical devices
  • Gained an insight into Moroccan culture, art and music

Sample timetable:

This 140-hour course will be delivered over 7 weeks from Monday to Friday.
Week 1, 3, 5, 7
Class times Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
09.30 – 11.30 Moroccan culture and history MSA Excursions:

Visit 3 countries

Gibraltar

The Alhambra, Spain

Tangier, Morocco

 MSA Writing
11.30 – 12.00 BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK
12.00 – 13.30 MSA Darija Darija Speaking and debate
13.30 – 14.00 BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK
14.00 – 15.30 Darija Darija MSA Moroccan art and music
16.00 – 19.00 Self-study Self-study Self-study Self-study
Week 2, 4, 6
Class Times Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
09.30 – 11.30 Moroccan culture and history MSA Darija MSA Writing
11.30 – 12.00 BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK
12.00 – 14.00 MSA Darija MSA Darija Moroccan art and music
15.00 – 18.00 Self-study Self-study Self-study Self-study Self-study

(Please note; timetables are subject to change to meet the demands of the student).

Excursions:

Four trips are included on this course:

  • Gibraltar – Discover the Rock: Explore St. Michael’s Cave, the Suspension Bridge, the Skywalk and the Siege Tunnels
  • Spain – The Alhambra: You will have the opportunity to visit this UNESCO world heritage site in Granada. Be guided around the spectacular Moorish Alhambra Palace which was built in the 13th and 14th Century as a fortress and residence
  • Gibraltar – Arabic on the Rock: Visit the Moorish Castle and the Mosque, followed by a lecture about the Moors in Gibraltar
  • Morocco – A Day Trip to Tangier: Visit Africa where you will explore the magnificent city of Tangier. You will visit a traditional Souk, the Medina, a Hamman and Plaza De La Kasbah on a walking tour of this wonderful Moroccan city; concluding with a traditional lunch

Optional weekend trips include:

  • The magnificent city of Sevilla; one of the earliest Moorish conquests in 712 and the second city of Al-Andalus
  • The ‘oldest city’ in Europe, Medina Sidonia steeped in ancient history; founded by the Phoenicians, part of the Roman empire and then conquered by the Moors
  • A walking tour of the ancient mountainous city of Ronda which fell to the Berbers in 713
  • The ruins of Baelo Claudia, an ancient Roman town, on the beach in the stunning location of Bolonia, Cadiz

Additional after class activities:

  • Along with a rich cultural programme, after class you will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities such as SUP boarding, beach volleyball, padel tennis, exploring the Nature Reserve and sampling the local gastronomy. You will meet and get to know the local Moroccan community to further practise your Arabic.

PLAY BEACH VOLLEYBALL

TRAVEL: TANGIER

TRAVEL: GRANADA

TRAVEL: SEVILLA

SOAK THE SUN: SANDY BAY

THE MOORISH CASTLE

Certificates and assessment:

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive:

  • A Certificate of Attendance from the University of Gibraltar with your language level in relation to ACTFL / CEFR
  • A list of themes studied

The course will include the following informal assessments:

  • Weekly written assignments
  • End of course 5-10 minute presentation on a topic of your choice
  • End of course assessment and personalised evaluation

Why choose the University of Gibraltar?

  • Steeped in European history, Gibraltar is ideally placed to offer you a well-rounded view of Arabic
  • One of the Pillars of Hercules and once an ancient Moorish settlement, Gibraltar lies between North Africa and the stunning region of Andalucía
  • You will be surrounded by Moorish architecture, culture, and traditions
  • You will explore the many historical sites in Gibraltar including the Moorish Castle, the Mosque, St. Michael’s Cave and the Great Siege Tunnels
  • You will have a chance to attend lectures on Mediterranean and Gibraltarian history
  • Immerse yourself in a cosmopolitan society, which is warm and welcoming

Entry requirements:

  • Students must submit a language evaluation form from their home university
  • Students must complete a University of Gibraltar language diagnostic test before the beginning of the course
  • Students should have completed two semesters of Arabic at their home university

Fee:

GB £3080 or equivalent in US $

Fee includes

  1. Tuition
  2. Four excursions in three countries
  3. Access to our virtual learning environment
  4. Free local bus service

Additional costs

  1. Weekend excursions
  2. Optional afternoon activities
  3. Accommodation (From £150 per week / £1050 for 7 weeks)
  4. Meal packages (From £17 per day / £85 Monday – Friday)
  5. Travel to and from your home University
  6. Insurance

Find out more:

Contact us
You can also call us and speak to one of our team on +350 200 71000 ext: 840 or 804

Student Accommodation:

find out more
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