Arabic and English Literature: University of Westminster

Introduction

At Westminster they aim to train competent linguists in modern Arabic ready to enter graduate employment by placing particular emphasis on employability and the contemporary cultural context in addition to high quality teaching of all language skills.

You will acquire a sound level of linguistic competence in Arabic in all four skills areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and demonstrate a sound degree of proficiency in mediating between Arabic and English. You will be able to function in different cultural situations and acquire the generic qualities and skills of a humanities graduate.

You will develop particularly in the areas of interpersonal communication and organisational skills, flexibility and tolerance, analysis and argument, autonomy and team working, and team management, which will put you in a very strong position in a competitive job market.

You can combine Arabic with four other disciplines (English Language, English Literature, Linguistics, and International Relations) in major/minor (75/25) or joint combinations (50/50).

Course Content

Depending on your particular combination you will study Arabic modules from one or more of the following strands:

• Language Development (teaching of the four skills by native and non-native speakers)
• Languages in Action (professional context and communication skills in and out of the target language and English)
• Area Studies (cultural context)

Depending you your particular combination you will study a set of core modules or a set of core and optional modules in your other discipline.

They accept students at four different entry points: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Proficient. Please note that we may need to test you to determine your entry point.

Year Abroad

If you are studying Arabic at Beginner or Intermediate Level you have the opportunity to spend a full academic year abroad at a partner institution and/or approved form of employment in the Arab world.

Teaching and Assessment

Their teaching and learning methods seek to foster confidence in language and communication skills, to promote the ability to analyse and evaluate critically diverse and complex forms of information and argument, and to encourage an interdisciplinary approach to cross-cultural practices. Teaching methods are inevitably student-centred, most notably through the explicit use of task-based and enquiry based approaches to learning. Assessment will usually involve coursework and an examination.

Entry Requirements

Three A Levels (A2) at grades BBC or two A Levels (A2) at grades BC. International Baccalaureate candidates are welcome; other Curriculum 2000 combinations will be considered on an individual basis.