Mohammed VI Polytechnic University
Faculty of Governance, Social sciences and economics
EGE Rabat
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Build your Arabic language skills
at the leading political science school in Morocco.
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Contents
General Presentation..................................................................................................6
Program organization................................................................................................7
Semester 1 intensive language study ..................................................................................8
Language classes (LC).................................................................................................8
Tutorial classes (TC)...................................................................................................10
Workshops...................................................................................................................13
Tutorials.......................................................................................................................14
Provisional calendar...................................................................................................15
Semester 2 social sciences (language of instruction: arabic).............................................16
Study Period 1: Moroccan Arabic Study...................................................................16
Study Period 2: Social science study and research in standard Arabic................16
Provisional calendar...................................................................................................18
Application Requirements ......................................................................................18
Registration Fees........................................................................................................19
Registration Calendar.............................................................................................19
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General Presentation
Arabic Program for Social Sciences (APSS) is an intensive language course designed for non-native Arabic speakers
who seek to develop their standard Arabic skills, and at the same time gain a better grasp of the major political,
social and economic challenges facing the contemporary world.
More specifically, this Arabic program is designed for students undertaking undergraduate or post-graduate study
in social sciences, and who wish to proceed with their research or consider professional positions that require a fair
degree of critical analysis of social, political and economic issues.
APSS combines two complementary approaches:
a communicative approach which aims to develop language skills and ensure a high level of fluency and accuracy
(from phonological to syntactic and lexical control).
an academic approach focusing on content relating to social sciences (history, sociology, political science). In
addition to expanding the lexical range of students in areas of social sciences, the program is structured around
academic activities, where students use their critical and analytical skills in processing material that relates to
their area of study (reviews, summaries, oral presentations, branch out, etc.).
Arabic Program for Social Sciences is intended for students who have successfully completed a formal
intermediate course of standard Arabic (at least 150 contact hours).
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Program organization
The program takes up two semesters of study over a twelve-week period each.
Semester 1
Semester 2
« Intensive language study » ....
« Social sciences in Arabic »
The students will do 300 hours of intensive language
study over 12 weeks (25 hours a week). The course
earns 18 credits by US standards or 36 ECTS
(European credit transfer and accumulation system).
In semester 2, the students will carry a load of 150
contact hours that earn 12 credits by US standards
or 24 ECTS.
Semester 2 is a twelve-week course broken down
into 2 study periods:
Study Period 1: a 50-hour intensive course in
Moroccan Arabic. This course will be offered in
the first two weeks of semester 2, week 1 and
week 2.
Study Period 2: running from week 3 to week 12.
This study period will be devoted to theme-based
classes that will take up 100 contact hours, 60 of
which will be taught in standard Arabic. For the
remaining 40 hours, students can choose to register
in classes of social sciences offered in languages
other than Arabic, namely French or English.
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Semester 1
Intensive Language Study Other supplementary activities will be used in Language Classes, such as discussion and document analysis,
debates on topical issues, role play and simulations, presentations and so on. For instance, the “discussion and
document analysis” activity is detailed below.
Discussion and document analysis
As part of Semester1/ Intensive language study, 4 teaching formats are offered:
Each week the APSS pedagogical team will select a general topic or issue that pertains to a specific lexical
field. The weekly sessions will then provide the opportunity to study documents related to the general topic
being discussed during that week.
Language classes (LC)
After introducing the general topic of the session, brainstorming and highlighting the initial comments of
students, the teacher will then use authentic material, a reading passage or video footage related to the topic
in hand. The students will be able to reflect on the material provided, before pointing out its most significant
aspects, making connections with the general topic of the session, or coming up with their own reading.
Objectives
Language classes are the main teaching format in
Semester 1/ Intensive language learning. These classes
are taught by Arabic teachers with extensive experience
of teaching standard Arabic to non-native Arabic
speakers, and are primarily designed to consolidate
students’ communication skills and practical language
use, for the specific context of academic study.
The teacher will simply facilitate interactive communication, to help students develop practical strategies (in
communication tasks, students learn to use language skills they have already mastered to complete tasks in
hand). Students are then invited to pair up and produce a short presentation and analysis of the material under
study, following a textual procedure set up in advance (presentation/ contextualizing the material, describing
content analytically, identifying issues raised, suggesting avenues for further analysis and discussion...)
Finally, starting from the different short presentations produced which are read by the different pairs in turn,
the class produces a short model-text of approximately 200 words on the material under study.
Organisation
The organisation of Language Classes is based on
simulations of real-life situations, using activities
and topics to elicit oral expression and interactive
communication.
Al Kitaab fi ta3llum al logha l3arabiya is the main
textbook for Language Classes. It comprises a range
of simulation exercises and allows for students’ gradual
progress, as well as the possibility to assess their
progress on a regular basis through carefully selected
communication tasks.
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Credit Points
Students fulfill the Language Class requirement with a minimum average mark of 10/ 20, which earns 12 credits
ECTS.
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Pedagogical resources
Al Kitaab fi ta3llum al logha l3arabiya, as a primary textbook together with readings passages or video footage
relating to national and international news items.
Number of class hours
2 hours per day, 5 days a week.
Tutorial classes (TC)
Objectives
The tutorial class is the innovative teaching method on offer at EGE Rabat. Its purpose is to significantly consolidate
the students’ entry language level in standard Arabic according to a formal approach (vs. communicative), and
focusing on 5 components:
acquiring a rich vocabulary deemed necessary to discuss or write about political, economic, and social issues with
some precision (approximately 1000 new words acquired by the end of the intensive language study semester)
improving listening and speaking skills in standard Arabic
reinforcing composition and writing skills in standard Arabic, with attention to spelling and syntax
developing grammar and syntax skills (knowledge of rules and common use)
practicing writing/ calligraphy in standard Arabic on a daily basis.
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Progress
To reach the objectives set for formal skills in standard Arabic, the TC, as its name suggests, places students under
supervision.
Starting with practice exercises, drills, and systematization, target language skills and competencies are gradually
developed.
Several systematization activities can be used: grammar in context, visual listening memory tasks on lexical fields
in social sciences, reading and analysis of relevant and topical material using a dictionary, practicing quick and
efficient standard calligraphy, acquiring internet research techniques using an Arabic keyboard. As an example, two
activities commonly used in TC are detailed below:
Transcribing audio material
At the beginning of the month, the APSS pedagogical team sets
a specific target for vocabulary acquisition for students, notably
based on the Al Kitaab fi ta3llum al logha l3arabiya, to be completed
over the four weeks. The average vocabulary acquisition pace is set
at 350 words per month, approximately 90 new words per week.
Vocabulary acquisition takes place during class, using the
textbook’s audio recordings. As they practice listening skills,
students must keep a ‘transcript file’ in which they transcribe all
audio material to which they are exposed. Tutorial class teachers
can then check student transcript files in real time for both spelling
and syntax, and correct possible grammar and syntax errors with
individual students. At the end of class, students are expected to
have transcribed a correct and final version of audio material used
during class.
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Reading and text analysis
Tutorial classes also provide the opportunity for
students to consolidate their skills with regard to
reading comprehension and analysis of current news
items. Under the supervision of teachers, students
read and analyse the passage under study, before
answering comprehension questions. Students can
call upon their teacher to explain a difficult passage,
idiomatic expressions, or the general structure of
the text. They can also come up with texts of their
own and submit them to their teacher in class. At the
end of each class, students are expected to have
completed and written up the final version of their
text analysis.
Credits
Students fulfill the Tutorial Class requirement with a minimum average grade of 10/ 20, which earns 12 credits ECTS.
Pedagogical resources
The Al Kitaab fi ta3llum al logha l3arabiya manual, Book II and Book III, as well as supplementary material chosen
by instructors.
Number of class hours
Workshops
Progress
Workshops allow students to identify their areas
of specialization as well as new topics of interest.
Designed for intermediate and advanced students,
and based on a wide range of interest areas such
as Arabic literature and poetry, Moroccan cinema,
international Arab media, the ‘Nahda’ movement,
Morocco under Hassan II and so on, workshops are
run either by Arabic language teachers or by Arabicspeaking Social Science university lecturers, trained to
teach non-native Arabic speakers.
Workshops provide the opportunity for students to
find a topic of their choice, in a teaching format that
allows for further study and research.
Students have the possibility to attend 3 workshops over the semester, with each workshop taking up 16 hours.
Workshops are scheduled for a period of one month, two 2-hour sessions per week.
Credits
Students fulfill the Tutorial Class requirement with a minimum average mark of 10/ 20, which earns 12 credits ECTS.
Number of class hours
Two 2-hour sessions weekly.
2 hours per day, 5 days a week.
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Tutorials
Provisional calendar
Tutorials are the teaching format aimed to develop students’ ability in one-to-one interaction.
Open day prior to the start of the semester: Thursday, September 10th 2015
At the start of the semester, students
choose a tutor amongst the Moroccan
students who sign up to tutor
international students, or a member
of the school’s pedagogical team
associated with the APSS. On their
tutorial wish form, students specify
a number of topics that they wish to
discuss during their tutorials. Given
that international students do not
generally start with a good command
of Moroccan Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
classes being scheduled for semester
2, topics discussed in tutorials allow
for the use of standard Arabic, and are
as a result derived from a more formal
and institutional context.
Tutorials allow non-native Arabic speakers to engage in open discussion in standard Arabic in a one-to-one setup
and eventually enables them to develop ‘spontaneous’ communication skills in standard Arabic.
September 2015
October
14 to 19
21 to 26
28 to 2
5 to 9
12 to 16
19 to 23
26 to 30
S1
S2
S3
S4
Pause
S5
S6
November
December 2015
2 to 6
9 to 13
16 to 20
23 to 27
30 to 4
7 to 11
14 to 18
S7
S8
Break
S9
S10
S11
S12
NB: Depending on demand, the intensive language study semester could also be offered during semester 2 of the
academic year 2015-2016, starting January 2016.
Sample Weekly Timetable
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
08h15-10h15
LC
LC
LC
LC
LC
10h30-12h30
TC
TC
TC
TC
TC
Workshop
Tutorials
Saturday
Sunday
Lunch break
14h-15h
Workshop
15h-16h
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Semester 2
Social sciences (Language of instruction : Arabic)
Semester 2 comprises two study periods: the first study period runs over 2 weeks and is devoted to intensive
Moroccan Arabic study; the second study period runs over 10 weeks and is devoted to academic content classes
in standard Arabic.
Study Period 1: Moroccan Arabic
In this study period, the 4 teaching formats offered in Semester 1 in intensive language study are offered in Moroccan
Arabic, namely language classes, tutorial classes, workshops, and tutorials.
Students who satisfy the requirements for Study Period 1 earn 1.5 American credits/ 3 ECTS credits.
Study Period 2: Social science study and research in standard Arabic
In the second study period, 3 teaching formats are offered: Content classes in Arabic (CCA), Preparation of content
class workshops (PW), Initiation to research in standard Arabic (IR).
Content classes in Arabic (CCA)
For Academic content classes in standard Arabic, non-native Arabic speakers may attend, together with their
Moroccan peers, Social Science classes on offer at EGE Rabat.
Preparation for content class workshops (PW)
Preparation for Academic content class workshops provide non-native Arabic speakers the opportunity to prepare
for academic content classes in standard Arabic one week ahead of class. These preparation workshops are run
by Arabic language teachers working in close coordination with academic content class lecturers, to identify and
prepare for the lexical field to be used in upcoming classes each week.
During preparation workshops, students have the possibility to engage with reading passages or video footage
relevant to the issues to be raised in upcoming academic content classes.
Satisfying the requirement of a PW earns 3 American credits or 6 ECTS credits.
Initiation to research in standard Arabic (IR)
As part of the Initiation to Research in standard Arabic classes, non-native Arabic speakers have the opportunity to
conduct a research project of reasonable scale in standard Arabic on a topic relating to contemporary Morocco. The
topic chosen must allow students to conduct some interviews, either in Moroccan or standard Arabic, with relevant
Moroccan respondents.
Initiation to research classes is taught by Moroccan university lecturers specialising in social sciences.
Satisfying the requirements of an IR earns 3 American credits or 6 ECTS credits.
Other classes
Students have the possibility to sign up for other academic content classes in standard Arabic, French, or English,
if they wish to earn extra credits.
Classes are taught in standard Arabic by Arabic-speaking university lecturers in core academic disciplines offered
at the school (political science, sociology, anthropology, history), with no change to the content or format to
accommodate the specific profile of international students.
Non-native Arabic speakers must attend a minimum of 20 hours in one academic content class. Satisfying the
requirements of an ACC earns 3 American credits/ 6 ECTS credits.
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Registration Fees
Provisional calendar
January 2016
February
March
18 to 22
25 to 29
1 to 5
8 to 12
15 to 19
22 to 26
29 to 4
7 to 11
14 to 18
21 to 25
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
Break
S7
S8
S8
April 2016
28 to 1
4 to 9
11 to 15
18 to 22
25 to 29
S10
Break
S11
S12
Presentation of research projects
Application Requirements
Students interested in the APSS must submit an application file including the following documents:
Grade transcript or certificate as evidence that they have had a minimum of 150 contact hours in standard Arabic
class
Letter of recommendation from a standard Arabic teacher
Personal statement outlining the personal, academic, or professional reasons for choosing the APSS at EGE
Rabat.
APSS application form duly completed
For the academic year 2015-2016, the registration fees for a full year of study amount to €2200. These fees are not
subject to change and also apply to students who sign up for intensive language study semester only, for either
semester 1 or semester 2 of academic year 2015-2016.
Preferential rates could also be offered to international students in residence at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University/
EGE Rabat, as part of academic exchange programs. For further information on academic exchange programs and
partnerships, please address queries to [email protected].
Registration Calendar
For the September 2015 registration session:
Deadline for submitting application file: June 15th 2015
For the January 2016 registration session:
Deadline for submitting application file: October 15th 2015
For further information, please contact: [email protected]
Application files may be submitted by email at [email protected], or sent by mail to the address
below:
Arabic Studies Programme
UM6P/ Ecole de Gouvernance et d’Economie
Avenue Ben Abdallah Regragui
Al Irfane – BP 6283
10112 Rabat
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Avenue Mohamed Ben Abdellah Regragui BP 6283 Madinat Al Irfane 10112 Rabat
Tel: + 212 5 37 21 67 00 / Fax: +212 5 37 77 68 64
www.egerabat.com