Levantine Arabic for Non-Natives: A Proficiency-Oriented Approach: Student Book (Yale Language Series) [Paperback]

Mr. Lutfi Hussein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0300056346 | ISBN-13: 978-0300056341

This textbook is for beginning students of Arabic who are seeking to develop communicative oral skills in colloquial Levantine Arabic, the dialect used in Jerusalem and in contemporary Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine/Israel. It is the first textbook for colloquial Arabic developed according to the principles of the proficiency movement in foreign language teaching, in which the emphasis is placed on the use of meaningful drills, activities that are appropriate to the context in which the language will be spoken, and a balance between linguistic accuracy and active use of the language. The first half of the teacher's manual is devoted to a series of "functions" that focus on specific spoken activities, such as greetings, identifying objects, or asking for information. Each function is accompanied by explication, classroom activities, and suggestions for other activities both in and out of the classroom. The second part provides a series of ten situations in which passages in the colloquial dialect, mostly in the form of narratives, are intended to take the students beyond the level of basic communication to a more descriptive and narrative mode. The text is accompanied by charts and glossaries. A set of audio tapes is keyed to the individual functions and situations. The second part of the teacher's manual is available as a separate book for student use. Levantine Arabic may be used as the primary text for a course designed exclusively to teach colloquial Arabic, or in conjunction with beginning and intermediate courses in Modern Standard Arabic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (September 10, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300056346
• ISBN-13: 978-0300056341
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,029,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars half a book, August 24, 2003

By 

M. Aldrich (Seoul, South Korea) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Levantine Arabic for Non-Natives: A Proficiency-Oriented Approach: Student Book (Yale Language Series) (Paperback)

I recently purchased this book along with the set of cassettes. It turns out, however, that the book is only part II of the complete course. This isn't mentioned anywhere in the course description. The cassettes, however, cover the complete course, so that only the last three cassettes correspond to part II. In order to make use of the course and all the cassettes, you'd have to purchase the teacher's manual, which isn't available on amazon.com. Otherwise, the course looks to quite good.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Be forewarned, February 27, 2003

By 

Devin Murphy "adventure photographer" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Levantine Arabic for Non-Natives: A Proficiency-Oriented Approach: Audiotapes (Yale Language Series) (Audio Cassette)

This is a set of ten tapes. All are professionally done, but only the last three match the dialogue from the book. That means you better have a good background in colloquial Arabic (or be in a class) to make use of the first seven tapes.

They all have solid material--ranging from simple phrases to detailed conversations. Each tape features oral exams that test listening comprehension.

The only thing that prevents me from giving it a higher rating is a lack of a transcript for the first seven tapes. Some people might also wonder why this wasn't released in CD format.

I did find these tapes useful preparation for travels in Syria.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent intermediate book, February 27, 2003

By 

Devin Murphy "adventure photographer" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Levantine Arabic for Non-Natives: A Proficiency-Oriented Approach: Student Book (Yale Language Series) (Paperback)

I think this is the best book for intermediate colloquial Arabic. DO NOT BUY THIS AS AN INTRODUCTORY BOOK!

Most students will need a solid background in colloquial Arabic. This book uses English transliteration only--no Arabic script--so you'll need to have a good idea how to pronounce common Arabic syllables before you begin.

I found this an excellent resource during my recent travels through Syria and Lebanon.