Independent study.
This time last week, I was attending my last Arabic Language for Beginners class. It was an 8-week (16-hour) course, but I managed to miss 3 weeks of classes due to enrolling a week late, being sick, and work commitments.
The aspects of the course I really enjoyed were learning the language, the interaction between tutor and students, and the opportunity to ask questions about Arabic culture or about the different regional variations affecting the language. I found more similarities Arabic shares with Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) than I was expecting and being able to speak Malay, this helped a lot.
This week, some of the students have made a private arrangement with the tutor to continue on as a group in one of their homes. As much as I'd like to advance in learning the language, I didn't find the tutor's language teaching method effective for me. So, in the weekend while browsing in the Virgin Megastore at the mall, I bought an Arabic Language Kit complete with workbooks, CDs and cassette tapes!
It's been some time since I studied a language on my own, and I'm really looking forward to making a start on it. I think it's going to be a far cry from the pressure and self-discipline I faced studying Te Reo Maori (the language of the natives of NZ) by correspondence for Bursary University Entrance level at school. I'll keep you posted with how I go!
6 comments:
Well done on keeping up with the Arabic! It does seem like a very difficult language to learn.
Next time I see you I will expect you to teach me a few words be warned!
Joy, it's not difficult at all. You would've loved learning it and would've had no trouble at all!
Now, does that mean you're planning a trip over soon? ;-)
Well done, Gypsy Girl! In the two years I've been here, I can barely string together a sentence in Arabic. Not an easy language to learn, I've been told. Excuses, excuses!
Btw, welcome back to blogging :)
Thanks Milky Marmalade - it's good to be back. No, Arabic is really not that difficult - well, spoken anyway. Also if you have Malay under your belt (which you may if you're from Singapore?), you'll find similarities which make it even easier!
You're right. I find certain Arabic words v. familiar (certain days of the week, for example).
My exposure to Arabic is limited to voiceovers on TV and recorded messages on the phone:)
LOL. Yep, like "Al Juma'a a la One TV"!
Post a Comment