WHY LEARN GCSE ARABIC?

You’ve probably heard of Quranic Arabic, and the many important reasons for learning it, but why learn GCSE Arabic? In this article I’ll go through several reasons why you should learn GCSE Arabic also.

To answer this question we have to back up a little, and look at another question. A general question about the language itself.

WHAT IS ARABIC?

Arabic is a language that goes back a very long time. It is named after a nomadic people, the Arabs. It is not as hard as some people would have you believe. Language is about how you commit to it, the method that you use, and your expected outcome. Arabic is a means to an end, it is a tool to understanding other knowledge. Language is also not the property, or preserve of any one people. How many times have you seen a non-English person speak, and manipulate English better than some English people? This is particularly true of English grammar, and the same thing goes for Arabic.

In fact you will find there are several, well known, Islamic scholars, and writers of Arab dictionaries who were not originally Arab. Still they were known as masters of the language.

The Prophet Muhammad (S) was born into what is considered a classical version, or era, of the Arabic language, some 1400 years ago. But this is not how old Arabic is, it goes back even further. The Arabic which preceded this era is referred to as ancient Arabic, which is the earliest development, and use of the language. The Arabs at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (S) prided themselves on their poetic ability, skills which were honed over time, from their forefathers. These poems are still being studied today in Arabic universities around the world.

Arabic is one of the most spoken languages in the world, spoken in numerous countries. It is rated amongst the top 5 languages to learn. It is a living language, and growing daily with new learners who have become Muslim, or are interested in Islam generally.

ORIGINS AND TYPES OF ARABIC:

• Ancient Arabic – Dated pre the birth of Jesus (a), close to 1000 BC. Proto Arabic, Arabic inscriptions, and Nabatean. Up until a few hundred years before the birth of Muhammad (s).
• Colloquial or regional dialects – can also differ from city to city, old, and new.
• Classical period – The period of Jahiliyah, or around the birth of Muhammad(S).
• Quranic Arabic – The Quran. Revealed to Mubammad (S), around the age of 40.
• Modern Standard Arabic. A derivative of the Classical/Quranic Arabic, which has produced GCSE Arabic, A’ Level Arabic, University level Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic owes it’s existence to Islam, and Quranic Arabic.

Arabic is of the Semitic language group, which includes Hebrew, Aramaic, and Syriac. It is also classed as an Afro-Asiatic language. It is said that Arabic has some 237 to 274 million native speakers, depending on which stats you look at, which does not include those non-natives who also speak Arabic.

HOW MANY SCIENCES IN THE ARABIC LANGUAGE?

There are several sciences in Arabic, and they include, but are not limited to:

• Sarf – Morphology/Etymology
• Nahw – Syntax/Grammar
• Balagha – Rhetoric

The Arabic language is studied in different ways, some start with Arabic grammar, whilst others prefer to learn using reading vocabulary, and then others via speaking vocabulary. With GCSE Arabic, meaning foundation, and higher tier, you have to study several skills at once.

SO WHY LEARN GCSE ARABIC?

There are so many reasons.

• GCSE Arabic is a well thought out, organised system of learning. Created by professional, education developers.
• GCSE Arabic is an accepted, recognised qualification, used for A’ levels, and to get into Uni.
• GCSE Arabic is part of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is the medium of the news, TV programmes, debates, magazines, newspapers, radio, politics, education etc.
• You are able to have full conversational Arabic, and be understood by educated Arabs, and those familiar with MSA.
• The GCSE Arabic has several themes, topics, and numerous real life scenarios.
• GCSE Arabic covers all the four core Arabic skills, and also includes grammar, and culture.
• GCSE Arabic comes with past paper practice, to prepare you for exams.
• There are courses, and teacher support based specifically around GCSE Arabic.
• You can go on to do an A’ Level or Degree in Arabic.
• You will be able to understand other speakers of Modern Standard Arabic, and be able to read, and speak it.
• GCSE Arabic is a brilliant way to get into Arabic, and cuts out many language issues found in Colloquial/Regional Arabic.
• You can use GCSE Arabic as a platform into Quranic Arabic, or Colloquial Arabic.
• There is an increase in the amount of GCSE Arabic resources available online.
• The right tutors can guide you through each skill, letting you know the tips, and strategies for learning.
• GCSE Arabic is really just Arabic but with set tasks, requirements and exams.
• It can be taken at any age, and you don’t have to attend a school to take it.
• You don’t need to take the exam to benefit from the course.

WHAT IS GCSE ARABIC?

GCSE means General Certificate of Secondary Education. GCSE Arabic, aka Arabic GCSE, is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It is made up of two tiers foundation tier which is graded up to a 5, and higher tier which is graded up to a 9.

It is a subject which has been organised into various areas, themes, and topics. In the U.K. it is offered by Pearson Edexcel. Pearson is a provider of education, and an exam board in the U.K. GCSE Arabic has undergone several changes since it’s entry into the U.K. exam scene, as far back as 2006/7.

GCSE Arabic 9-1 covers five broad themes: 1. Identity and Culture, 2. Local Area, holiday and travel, 3. School, 4. Work and Future Aspirations, 5. Global and International Dimension. Most other Arabic courses are not theme based, or they may focus mostly on grammar, and texts. They don’t have scenarios, and real life situations, but the GCSE Arabic course does. It covers Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, as well as Grammar, and Culture. If you’ve ever taken a GCSE Arabic past paper you know that it’s not a doddle, as the papers are time sensitive.

It takes the right kind of instruction to inform, and guide you, through the GCSE Arabic

IS GCSE ARABIC A WASTE OF TIME?

No, of course not. GCSE Arabic is obviously not a waste of time. Many have come away with good grades, and Arabic language ability. If GCSE Arabic is a waste of time then 100s, if not thousands of students have wasted their time, energy, and risked their educational future with the study of this subject. If GCSE Arabic is a waste of time then so too is every other GCSE, and IGCSE language subject taught in schools around the world.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARABIC AND GCSE ARABIC?

The language is the same. In terms of the subject matter GCSE Arabic is Modern Standard Arabic. It is called GCSE Arabic because it has been entered into mainstream qualifications in the U.K. and other countries, that is the main differentiation.

This differentiation serves to let you know what you will achieve. So the end goal would be a GCSE, just the same way as an A’ level in Arabic, or a degree in Arabic. They are all Modern Standard Arabic delineating different stages, and outcomes. GCSE French, and GCSE Spanish do not detract from there respective languages, and likewise a GCSE in any other language.

The GCSE Arabic is an organised course, it is a well rounded course, and comes with a certificated, and recognised worldwide qualification.

WILL GCSE ARABIC HELP ME TO SPEAK ARABIC?

Yes. You can use GCSE Arabic, which is still Arabic, to speak to other Arabs, or non-Arabs who understand Modern Standard Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic will allow you limited ability to understand Quranic Arabic, or Colloquial (Regional) Arabic, but it is a better start than trying to learn Colloquial Arabic first. Sometimes a colloquial, (slang), may use sounds, or letters which are not found in the Arabic Alphabet, or start words with other letters, and sounds than is used in the actual word.

Colloquial Arabic has a beautiful, and distinct sound in itself, but is not a matter for GCSE Arabic. You may wish to develop your colloquial Arabic after learning Modern Standard Arabic but it wont help you much in the GCSE.

WHAT ABOUT LEARNERS OF QURAN?

If you are doing, or have taken, Quranic Arabic lessons then you will already have an introduction to the language. If done with a tutor then you should already have gone through basic levels of Arabic letter recognition, and pronunciation, as well being able to read words with vowels. This is not all that you will need but it should be a better start than someone with no previous background.

IS ARABIC ONLY FOR QURAN?

Yes, and no. It depends on what you want to eventually use it for. It would be wonderful if we all were learning Quranic Arabic, and Arabic for Hadeeth. But even to study Arabic at a Quranic, or Hadeeth level you still need to understand Arabic generally. The Quran, Tafaaseer, and Hadeeth literature deal with all nature of topics that require a wide grasp of Arabic language vocabulary. Many students of Quran had to go through many years of Arabic study to be proficient in their respective fields.

Of course if you want to learn Arabic for modern finance, medicine and business, etc then you may not need to take a Quranic Arabic route. Although the Quranic concepts dealing with these topics would still apply. Each Arabic option has to be learnt at the appropriate time, and you may wish to learn all types of Arabic in future.

WHICH GCSE ARABIC COURSE?

Sample as many Modern Standard Arabic courses as you need to, whether geared to the GCSE Arabic exam, or not. The more exposure to Arabic that you have the more prepared you will be. If you are interested in sitting the GCSE Arabic exam then take a course designed specifically for it. Not all courses are the same, nor are the visions of the course creators.

TIPS FOR LEARNING

If you want to learn Arabic for a GCSE qualification try to find a course provider which offers you all the skills, speaking, reading, writing, listening, grammar, and culture, or most of them, at least.

Be mindful of old versions of textbooks, which have mistakes. Be mindful of text based courses only, with limited, or no audio, and visuals. Be mindful of expensive courses with little to no support. Be mindful of short courses claiming to offer everything within only a few months.

Beware of textbooks with disorganised, random grammar rules. Many people, who buy certain textbooks don’t use them fully, and they end up half read, if that. GCSE Arabic has many things to cover, it is not a reading only based exam. So don’t spend all your time trying to get through textbooks which will not allow you to focus on other areas of the GCSE Arabic, in the time that you have left before the exam.

Beware of tutoring sites which have many tutors, but may have little, to no GCSE Arabic experience. Nothing wrong with tutoring sites, or its tutor’s, you just need the right tutor.

Put in the time, and you’ll do fine!

BEFORE YOU GO TO UNIVERSITY

If you are thinking of doing Arabic at University it is strongly advised that you take a GCSE, and even an A’ Level in Arabic first. If not a GCSE or A’ Level then a good amount of the right type of study. There are many first year Arabic students who do not have a sufficient grasp of Arabic, as they did not take a GCSE or it’s equilivant. Some of these University students come out of Uni not able, or confident enough to speak Arabic, as the courses end up being mainly text based with some listening exercises thrown in. One year in an Arabic speaking country may be enough for some but for most it will not be enough.

WHERE TO START?

Everyone want’s to get the highest marks, and grades. But don’t just choose the higher tier GCSE Arabic course before knowing what your current level, and ability is. Remember that the GCSE Higher tier is only one level down from AS (A’ level). I offer online self assessments as well as one-to-one assessments. Want to learn GCSE Arabic? Start here!

Sources: The United Nations Six Official Languages. Pearson qualifications.

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