LIFE Arabic Ins. Khartoum-Sudan

This page is closed as the school was closed due to unforseen circumstances.

Journal of Communication and Culture: International Perspective; Vol.2 No.1, April 2011
ROLE OF LANGUAGE AS A FORM OF COMMUNICATION
The vital role which language plays in human life cannot be
overemphasized.
i. Language is the most powerful tool for all terms of learning.
ii. It is essential for thinking and for abstract reasoning all of which are
active ingredients for learning.
iii. it is a means of imparting knowledge, transfer of culture and belief
and the acquisition of skills and competence are essentially the use of
language.
iv. Language is a basic tool without which it would be difficult for people
to live together, think, act and share ideas together.
v. Ideas, knowledge, values, beliefs, attitudes, learning, etc can be only
be acquired when a language is used.
vi. Language dominates in everything done in our society by the
government, individuals and groups.
vii It helps people to develop their own history and sharing of life
experiences.
viii. It helps in the learning of other people's language patterns, rituals, habits
and customs, etc.
ix It equally plays a vital role in shaping character and behavior
It is one of the basic identification tools.

Learning prepositions in Phase 1 can be a lot of fun using the Thompson Method. Here is a short example:

http://youtu.be/t7-rYoNGXEk

Let's Learn Prepositions! Beginning Sudanese Arabic basic prepositions

Two groups of Phase 4 students teamed up to visit 2 local museums in Khartoum as part of a shared experience activity. They visit the Natural Museum and the Museum of Ethnography. Guides in both museums took them around and explained the items in the museums all the while speaking to them in Arabic. Being exposed to different accents increases a language learner's listening abilities.

Did you there that there are 246 million Arabic speakers on the world? It is the 6th most spoken language in the world. Another reason to learn this fascinating language!

Something to ponder about learning another language:
Learning another language gives the learner the ability to step inside the mind and context of that other culture. Without the ability to communicate and understand a culture on its own terms, true access to that culture is barred. Why is this important? In a world where nations and peoples are ever more dependent upon on another to supply goods and services, solve political disputes, and ensure international security, understanding other cultures is paramount. Lack of intercultural sensitivity can lead to mistrust and misunderstandings, to an inability to cooperate, negotiate, and compromise, and perhaps even to military confrontation. Intercultural understanding begins with individuals who have language abilities and who can thereby provide one's own nation or community with an insider's view into foreign cultures, who can understand foreign news sources, and give insights into other perspectives on international situations and current events. For survival in the global community, every nation needs such individuals. A person competent in other languages can bridge the gap between cultures, contribute to international diplomacy, promote national security and world peace, and successfully engage in international trade.

Source: Vistawide World Languages and Cultures

Here is a short video showing a typical Phase I lesson.

http://youtu.be/mlqMScjBdEQ

http://youtu.be/mlqMScjBdEQ

One of the aspects of language learning in Phase 4 is to go out with your language nurturer and share a local experience together. During the shared experience you learn more about the local culture and hear other native language speakers. Upon return to the school, the student and nurturer will make a recording about the experience and then "massage" the recording and learn new words. It's a good way to increase your vocabulary and makes language learning more fun.

Helpful advice from Anne's Language Learning Tips on Babbel Blog:

2. Give yourself time before you speak (if you’ve got the time)

If you don’t have any time pressure, you should put off speaking the language until you really have the urge. Up until then, just listen. At some point it will just bubble out of you; at some point you just won’t be able to help coming out with those strange sounds too!

If a word just comes out of your mouth all by itself, it’s all your own, it belongs to you. I’ll never forget how I suddenly started speaking Chinese while I was in the bath, after months of only listening. Don’t miss out on that kind of experience!

Phase 4 is when students and teachers go deeper and talk about topics that have deep personal meaning. Today my teacher and I talked about health (as I'm a medical practitioner) and about our different faiths. Talking about something that is personal pushes the student to use more vocabulary and helps the student to remember the words easier.

Why not try something fun like playing cards to help you learn your new language?

We all sampled a Sudanese specialty called Fasikh. The Sudanese fasikh is made from fish here in Sudan which is ground into a pulp to which peanuts and tomato sauce are added. The texture and taste are smooth and delicious. We all loved it and stuffed ourselves on it with fresh bread and salad