OVERVIEW

The course is a year-long course and consists of a Language Practice component and a Theoretical Module. It introduces students to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and comprises a semester-long theoretical module together with year-long language practice classes.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to bring students to an A2 level of language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Through the theoretical module and grammar practice, students will gain a foundational understanding of Arabic across its phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic dimensions, and develop the ability to recognize and interpret key structures of written Arabic, both classical and modern. The course also includes targeted activities to develop communicative competence (linguistic, sociolinguistic, and pragmatic) at the A1–A2 levels. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and produce spoken Standard Arabic at an elementary (A2) level, and will have acquired basic skills in reading, writing, and translating simple texts. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge in language use and will have developed a basic awareness of variation in contemporary Arabic.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Language Practice (Lettorato) component aims to introduce students to the modern variety of Arabic, providing them with the grammatical and lexical tools, as well as interactive learning activities, necessary to read, comprehend, translate from Arabic into Italian and from Italian into Arabic, and produce elementary written texts.

The Theoretical Module aims to introduce students to Arabic as a heterogeneous language, to the Arabic linguistic continuum, and to linguistic variation in contemporary Arabic. The module is designed to provide students with the theoretical, linguistic, and practical sociolinguistic tools required for elementary communication in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).

By the end of the annual Arabic Language I course (9 ECTS credits), regular attendance, active participation in the proposed learning activities (lectures and interactive sessions), and consistent independent study throughout the duration of the course will enable students to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental structures of Modern Arabic and of the basic principles of phonology, morphology, and syntax;
• apply theoretical knowledge to elementary-level language use;
• read elementary texts;
• understand elementary texts;
• translate elementary written texts from Arabic into Italian;
• translate elementary written texts from Italian into Arabic;
• produce elementary written texts;
• conceptualize the heterogeneous nature of the Arabic language;
• appreciate linguistic variation in contemporary Arabic. 

PREREQUISITES

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TEACHING METHODS

The Language Practice (Lettorato) component, divided into Module 1 and Module 2 (first and second semesters), comprises 100 hours of face-to-face instruction delivered by two different instructors. It consists of interactive learning activities and practical exercises designed to develop the full range of language skills.

The Theoretical Module (first semester) comprises 30 hours of face-to-face lectures and practical exercises aimed at providing students with a linguistic and sociolinguistic framework, as well as developing their understanding of the fundamental morphological and syntactic structures also covered in the Language Practice component. The module further focuses on the translation, comprehension, and oral and written production of elementary texts in Modern Standard Arabic.

Regular attendance of both the Language Practice (Lettorato) and the Theoretical Module is strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

ARABIC LANGUAGE I (55868)

Course Content

The Language Practice (Lettorato) component covers the grammar, vocabulary, communicative functions, and exercises contained in the first volume of Kalima/Parola by Sana Darghmouni (Mondadori Education S.p.A., 2019). These topics will be covered during the course and supplemented with additional teaching materials specifically prepared by the instructor.

The Modern Standard Arabic grammar syllabus includes:

1. The Arabic Alphabet

• Long and short vowels
• Consonants, semiconsonants, and long vowels
• Stress
• Punctuation

2. Nouns and Adjectives

• The definite article
• Nominal inflection
• Triptote declension
• The nominal sentence
  • The separating pronoun
  • Feminine subject
  • Indefinite subject
• Attributive and predicative adjectives

3. Nouns and the Construct State (al-iḍāfa)

• Root and pattern
• Interrogative forms
• Construct state with multiple constituents
• Adjectives in the construct state

4. Nouns and Gender

• Feminine gender by form, meaning, and usage
• Adjective agreement

5. Nouns and Number

• The dual
• The plural

6. Personal Pronouns

• Independent pronouns
• Suffixed pronouns

7. Expressing Possession

• Ways of expressing possession in Arabic

8. Numerals

9. The Verb: Main Characteristics of the Arabic Verb

10. The Perfect (al-fiʿl al-māḍī)

• Verb conjugation
• Triliteral verbs
• Formation of the indicative perfect of triliteral verbs
• Negative sentences
• Negative interrogative sentences
• Subject–verb agreement
  • When the verb precedes the subject
  • When the subject precedes the verb
  • When the subject is non-human
• Temporal expressions referring to the past

11. The Imperfect (al-fiʿl al-muḍāriʿ al-marfūʿ)

• Indicative imperfect
• Formation of the indicative imperfect of triliteral verbs
• Imperfect prefixes and suffixes
• Negation of the imperfect
• Negative sentences
• Negative interrogative sentences
• Subject–verb agreement

12. The Future Tense

13. Verbal Derivatives

• Active participle
• Passive participle
• Maṣdar (verbal noun)

14. Demonstrative Pronouns

15. The Relational Adjective (an-nisba)

16. Relative Pronouns

17. The Verb laysa ("not to be")

• Negation of the nominal sentence

18. The Verbs kāna ("to be") and aṣbaḥa ("to become")

19. Derived Verb Forms

20. Inna and Its Sisters

• Selected particles belonging to this grammatical category

Theoretical Module

The Theoretical Module consists of the following:

Part One

a) Linguistic Background

• Arabic as a Semitic language
• Arabic as a pluricentric language
• Diglossia
• Arabic dialects
• The origins of diglossia

b) Sociolinguistics of Contemporary Arabic

• Language varieties and registers
• Parameters of linguistic variation
• Beyond diglossia
• Other languages in contact with Arabic
• Code-switching
• Interpersonal interaction

Part Two

Theoretical presentation, in-depth study, and analysis of the fundamental morphological and syntactic structures covered in the Language Practice component and included in the first volume of Kalima/Parola by Sana Darghmouni (Mondadori Education S.p.A., 2019), together with the supplementary teaching materials provided by the instructor. The course will also include learning activities designed to foster the acquisition of the practical skills required for elementary communication in Modern Standard Arabic.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Since the Arabic Language I course carries a different number of CFU credits (9, 8, or 6), depending on the requirements of the student's degree programme, the required textbooks and bibliography vary accordingly, as outlined below.

9 CFU Credits

• Darghmouni, Sana (2019). Kalima/Parola, Vol. 1. Milan: Mondadori Education S.p.A.
• Mion, Giuliano (2016). La lingua araba (New Edition). Rome: Carocci.
• Diez, Martino (2018). Introduzione alla lingua araba (New Edition). Milan: Vita e Pensiero.

8 CFU Credits

• Darghmouni, Sana (2019). Kalima/Parola, Vol. 1. Milan: Mondadori Education S.p.A.
• Mion, Giuliano (2016). La lingua araba (New Edition). Rome: Carocci.

6 CFU Credits

• Darghmouni, Sana (2019). Kalima/Parola, Vol. 1. Milan: Mondadori Education S.p.A.

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The Language Practice (Lettorato) classes for Arabic Language I (Academic Year 2026/2027) are taught over the full academic year and will begin on 28 September 2026, in accordance with the University's academic calendar.

The Arabic I Theoretical Module classes (Academic Year 2026/2027) will be held during the first semester, from 28 September 2026, in accordance with the University's academic calendar.

Class Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the EasyAcademy Portal.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Assessment

The final assessment consists of a written examination and an oral examination.

To be admitted to the oral examination, students must pass the written examination with a minimum grade of 18/30. The final course grade is calculated as the average of the grades obtained in the written and oral examinations.

The examinations are held once per academic year and begin with the summer examination session of the same academic year in which the course is taught.

Students are required to register online through the University's examination registration system for both the final written examination and the final oral examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Written Examination

The written examination is designed to assess the knowledge and skills acquired in relation to the modern variety of written Arabic. It evaluates students':

• knowledge of the fundamental morphological and syntactic structures of Modern Written Arabic;
• ability to comprehend elementary written texts;
• ability to translate elementary written texts;
• ability to produce elementary written texts.

Oral Examination

The oral examination is designed to assess the knowledge and skills acquired in relation to the spoken dimension of contemporary Arabic. It evaluates the quality of students' oral presentation, the appropriate use of specialist terminology, and their capacity for critical reasoning. In particular, it assesses students':

• theoretical, linguistic, and sociolinguistic knowledge of the heterogeneous nature of Arabic and of the concept of the Arabic linguistic continuum;
• knowledge of the fundamental morphological and syntactic structures of Modern Written Arabic;
• ability to read elementary written texts aloud;
• ability to provide an oral translation into Italian of elementary written texts. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a certified Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), a disability, or other special educational needs (SEN) are encouraged to contact the course instructor at the beginning of the course to discuss appropriate teaching and assessment arrangements. Such arrangements will respect the learning objectives of the course while taking into account individual learning needs and providing suitable reasonable accommodations and compensatory measures.