teaching Arabic reading to special needs and regular learners

This site is devoted to the Sheltered Initiation Language Learning (SILL) approach to teaching elementary reading in Arabic, which involves special illustrations, visual associations called "glyphs". For FAQs (frequently asked questions) on teaching reading as well as speaking, use this link. For a parallel lesson in Hebrew, use this link. This lesson is specially recommended for Arabic teachers, to see how the method works from a learner’s point of view.  

lesson 1.

Learn to recognize these special pictures ("glyphs").

PEN

AN OFFICIAL

TEACHER

BIG

SLEEP

(pen on page,

held by hand)

(three "suits

with briefcases)

(teacher standing

behind pupils)

(hands outstretched)

(head

snoring)

Learn to pronounce the words in Arabic:

with a pen.

the minister

moo, Al Lem,

at the teacher;

the cub ear

(is) big.

sleep in

Viet-Nam.

 

How quickly (and accurately) can you pronounce?
5
4
3
2
1
10
9
8
7
6

 

lesson 2.

Can you match the following simplified ways of drawing these pictures?

 

h.

i.

j.

 

a.

b.

c.

 

k.

l.

m.

n.

 

d.

e.

f.

g.

How quickly can you translate? (You are allowed to practice for speed and accuracy.)

5
4
3
2
1

How many words can you recognize with extra "doodads" attached?

5
4
3
2
1

 

Which is the right spelling?

Circle the word that you have learned (a, b or c) in each group, and translate it.
c
b
a
c
b
a
4
1
5
2
6
3

 

Circle the words that you know in each sentence, and make up your own sentence in English using these words.
2
1

 

How many of the following can you translate?

You are allowed to add words in your translations, and ignore whatever you don’t recognize.

.4
.1
.5
.2
.6
.3

  lesson 3.

How quickly (and accurately) can you pronounce?

(You are allowed to practice.)

5
4
3
2
1

Can you guess the pronunciation of the letters?

fill in sound
fill in sound
letter
word
word
    a _ound of earth µ Â
    _inks to the _eft ¬ Ò
    _ound letter ®

Can you match "cognates" with their translations?

Israel Lybia film Rome

Allah Maryam Russia lemon

 

How quickly can you translate?
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

 

Circle the words that you know in the story, and make up your own sentence in English using these words.

words:

 

 

 

sentence:

 

 

 

 

 Website designed and developed by Dr. Zev bar-Lev