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السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُم
As-Salaamu 'Alaykum Arabic Series
About this Course
As-Salaamu ʿAlaykum is a nine-part Modern Standard Arabic series developed by the Yemen Institute for Arabic Language (YIAL), founded in 2007 by a team of experienced Arabic educators. The series follows the communicative method, aligning with the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency framework and addressing the five Cs: Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Community.
The series spans nine graduated books three per level integrating listening, speaking, reading, and writing throughout via task-based activities, authentic cultural content, and regular assessments. Islamic and Arabic cultural themes are embedded across all levels, making it particularly well-suited to students whose primary motivation is understanding the Qur'ān, ḥadīth, and the Islamic tradition.
Ustādh Ali draws on this series for students who benefit from a structured, skills-integrated communicative approach especially those who have some experience with language learning methodologies and want Modern Standard Arabic developed alongside their Islamic studies.
Topics
Beginner Level المستوى الابتدائي (Parts 1–3)
- Arabic alphabet, pronunciation, and basic reading skills
- Foundational vocabulary: greetings, numbers, colours, family, daily objects
- Present tense verb conjugation regular triliteral patterns
- Simple nominal sentences and verbal sentences
- Listening and speaking: introductions, daily routines, classroom language
- Writing practice: letters, words, and short sentences
- Islamic and Arabic cultural topics woven throughout
Intermediate Level المستوى المتوسط (Parts 4–6)
- Past and future tenses regular and common irregular verbs
- Kāna and its sisters; Inna and its sisters
- Relative clauses and conditional sentences
- Expanded vocabulary: travel, culture, health, Islamic topics, media language
- Reading comprehension: authentic texts and short articles
- Paragraph writing and formal composition in MSA
- Listening to and producing extended speech
Advanced Level المستوى المتقدم (Parts 7–9)
- Complex grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions
- Advanced vocabulary: literature, religion, academic and current-affairs topics
- Extended reading and analytical writing
- Discussion, debate, and formal presentation in Modern Standard Arabic
- Preparation for ACTFL or CEFR Arabic language proficiency assessment
Curriculum
Beginner Books 1–3 المستوى الابتدائي 3 lessons
Book 1 The Alphabet and First Conversationsالكتاب الأول الأحرف والمحادثات الأولىMaster the 28-letter Arabic alphabet in isolation, initial, medial, and final positions. Short vowels, letters that do not join, and writing direction. First communicative tasks: greetings, self-introduction, asking names. Spoken-first approach with heavy audio integration throughout.
Book 2 Core Vocabulary and Simple Grammarالكتاب الثاني المفردات الأساسية والقواعد البسيطةExpand to 500+ high-frequency words from daily Islamic and social life. Nominal sentences (subject-predicate without verb). Demonstratives, basic prepositions, gender agreement, simple questions. Reading short texts about family, home, and community.
Book 3 Short Conversations and Simple Textsالكتاب الثالث المحادثات القصيرة والنصوص البسيطةHold basic real-world conversations: shopping, asking for directions, talking about daily routines. Present tense verb conjugation introduced. Reading simple connected paragraphs. First exposure to Islamic cultural texts. ACTFL Novice-High exit target.
Intermediate Books 4–6 المستوى المتوسط 3 lessons
Book 4 Complex Grammar and Extended Communicationالكتاب الرابع القواعد المتوسطة والتواصل الموسعPast and future tense. Full pronoun paradigm. Relative clauses (alladhī/allatī). Inna and its sisters. Kaana and its sisters. Reading intermediate texts drawn from Islamic history, geography, and current affairs. Speaking tasks: describing events, giving opinions.
Book 5 Narrating and Expressing Opinionsالكتاب الخامس السرد وإبداء الرأيNarrative discourse: sequential events, cause and effect. Conditional sentences. Comparative/superlative forms. Reading newspaper-style articles and short stories. Writing structured paragraphs. Vocabulary: 1,500+ words. ACTFL Intermediate-Mid target.
Book 6 Argumentation and Formal Writingالكتاب السادس الحجج والكتابة الرسميةFormal register, persuasive language, and argumentation structures. Reading opinion pieces, essays, and formal letters. Writing compositions with thesis, evidence, and conclusion. Passive voice, verbal nouns, and advanced connectors. ACTFL Intermediate-High exit target.
Advanced Books 7–9 المستوى المتقدم 3 lessons
Book 7 Academic Arabic and Research Skillsالكتاب السابع العربية الأكاديميةAcademic vocabulary, summarising scholarly texts, writing research-style essays. Reading from Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), history (sīrah), and social sciences in Arabic. Footnotes, citation language, and formal presentation. ACTFL Advanced-Low entry.
Book 8 Classical and Contemporary Stylesالكتاب الثامن الأسلوب الكلاسيكي والمعاصرSide-by-side reading of classical Islamic texts (excerpts from al-Bukhārī, Ibn Khaldūn, Ibn Qayyim) and modern MSA prose. Stylistic analysis, rhetorical devices (balaghah), and register switching. Advanced writing: literary and analytical compositions.
Book 9 Near-Native MSA Proficiencyالكتاب التاسع الإتقان شبه الأصيلAuthentic unsimplified texts from Arabic media, scholarship, and literature. Spontaneous extended discourse on complex topics. Debate, negotiation, and public speaking in Arabic. Qur'ānic and classical Arabic reading with full comprehension. ACTFL Advanced-High/Superior exit target.