| Arabic |
Grades 6, 7, 8 MSA L1 (Arabic Heritage Students)
The Middle School MSA L1 course is offered in quarters 2 and 4 and is aimed at 6th 7th and 8th grade students who speak a vernacular variety of Arabic and have previous background in the study of MSA. The approach is eclectic although emphasis is on the communicative competence. Differentiated instruction is used to recognize different students' learning styles, strengths and interests, and to make the curriculum accessible to everyone. The curriculum revolves around authentic, real-life situations centered on selected themes of interest. The four primary language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are consolidated, with a special emphasis on speaking and writing Modern Standard Arabic. Students increase their range of vocabulary and accuracy in grammar and syntax, through initiation to modern literature in Modern Standard Arabic, and are encouraged to interact in Arabic out of the school setting, to read adapted Arabic magazines and books, and to watch Arabic films and TV programs.
Grades 6, 7, 8 MSA L2 (Arabic as a Foreign language - AFL)
In Middle School, the MSA L 2 course is offered in quarters 2 and 4. It is a beginners' course aimed at 6th 7th and 8th grade students of any language background, with little or no previous instruction in MSA. Emphasis is on communicative competence. The curriculum revolves around authentic, real-life situations centered on selected age-appropriate themes of interest. The four primary skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are given equal importance. Differentiated instruction is used to recognize different students' learning styles, strengths, and interests, and to make the curriculum accessible to everyone. Students are encouraged to interact with the local population and to watch Arabic TV channels.
