The College of Arts and Sciences' language requirement in Arabic has
two aspects to it:
(A) proficiency
(B) course grades
(A) PROFICIENCY
At three equidistant points in the program, you will take a proficiency
test (in the middle
of the Spring Semester of ARAB 031, in the middle of the Fall Semester
of ARAB 033,
and in the middle of the Spring Semester of ARAB 031). This is not a
test of your
knowledge of the syllabus for the course, but of your ability to use
the language in
the native environment. The Minimal Functional Proficiency Standards
below are those
required for completion of the Arabic language requirement.
- MINIMAL FUNCTIONAL PROFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR ARABIC
| Skill & Method of Testing |
Points |
| 5 |
10 |
15 |
| Oral Interview |
IL |
IM |
IH |
| Listening Comprehension |
IL |
IM |
IH |
| Reading Comprehension |
IL |
IM |
IH |
| Writing |
IL |
IM |
IH |
1. All students are required to take all four sections of the test.
2. Performance below 10 on any portion of the test constitutes failure
for that section.
3. Cumulative performance, however, is the ultimate criterion for
passing. One may accrue from 5-15 points on each section, but the
cumulative average must be equal to 10 or higher. A student may fail
sections of the test and still pass the proficiency test. In order
to be declared proficient, a student must obtain a total score of
40 points. Here are some examples:
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Example 1 |
Example 2 |
Example 3 |
Example 4 |
| Oral Interview |
IM = 10 |
IL = 5 |
IM = 10 |
IL = 5 |
| Listening Comprehension |
IM = 10 |
IL = 5 |
IL = 5 |
IL = 5 |
| Reading omprehension |
IM = 10 |
IH = 15 |
IH = 15 |
IH = 15 |
| Writing |
IM = 10 |
IM = 10 |
IL = 5 |
IH = 15 |
| |
Pass 40 |
Fail 35 |
Fail 35 |
Pass 40 |
Students who fail one or more sections of the proficiency test are
given advice on an individual basis. They are required to improve
their performance on the portion(s) of the test that they have failed
or else raise their score on successfully passed portions to equal
a total of 40 on all sections.
(B) COURSE GRADES
Course grades will only be assigned to those students who have been
declared proficient.
The grade will be given according to the normal criteria: classroom
performance, quizzes,
tests, assignments, etc.
Thus, to satisfy the language requirement in Arabic, a student must:
- pass a sequence of three proficiency tests, or (for transfer students
and those who have studied abroad or elsewhere) at least the third
of the three, AND
- obtain a passing grade in the second semester of AMES 031. (NOTE:
Courses taken
to fulfill the language requirement must be taken for a grade; that
is, they may not be
taken on a pass/fail basis.)