Arabic: A More Commonly Taught Less Commonly Taught Language
by Professor Roger Allen, Social Thought and Comparative Ethics, University of Pennsylvania.
After presenting an introduction to the Arabic language and its history, I consider the development of Arabic-language pedagogy within academe over the course of the past half-century. Within the context of current discussions about the goals and methods of language instruction, I consider many of the basic issues raised by the nature of the Arabic language and the variegated usages to which it is put by its native speakers. Finally, I discuss a number of issues connected with both the pedagogy of the Arabic instructor in today’s Arabic class and the changing cohort of learners who aspire to acquire it.
Monday, April 4, 2011
3:00 – 5:00 pm
B-4 Dwinelle Hall