“Sahtain” (“To Your Health”) – STARTALK Summer Online Arabic Student Program

The theme centers on staying fit and healthy. Students will take on roles as nutritionists or fitness coaches as they progress through the curriculum. Participants will interact using the three communication modes, presenting information on foods, nutrition and maintaining good health, using various media and authentic materials from the internet, and newly developed learning materials. The curriculum will integrate culture by analyzing proverbs and sayings from Arabic language on health, by allowing students to use Arabic to investigate what it means to be healthy and unhealthy in certain segments of Arab societies, and by introducing students to ways of maintaining fitness through sports and dances of North Africa and the Middle East.

The curriculum will allow for connection to other disciplines such as math (when calculating calories, for instance), science (when discussing anatomy of the body), and art (dance). Students will be able to compare and contrast discussions about healthy lifestyles in the U.S. and in some Arab societies.

For the final project, students will work in pairs to design a week-long meal and exercise plan with specific  nutritional facts for each meal they create. Each pair will present their designed diet plan to the entire group using video descriptions, charts, and illustrations during synchronized time.

This program is open to students who:

• Have previously taken a Beginner Arabic course
• Have studied Arabic for at least one year during the regular academic year or for 2-3 consecutive summers since 2013 or 2014 in other STARTALK or summer intensive programs.
• Plan to enroll in an Intermediate Arabic course in Fall 2016
• Are highly motivated to continue learning Arabic and developing proficiency
• Are capable and comfortable learning in a fully online environment
• Are U.S. citizens, legal residents, or others currently enrolled in a U.S. educational institution

Students who have studied Arabic in a previous STARTALK summer student program are especially encouraged to apply.

Students should be at a “novice mid” / “novice high” level of proficiency at the start of the program. The program intends to elevate participants’ proficiency to an “novice high” / “intermediate low” level, and to provide a foundation for further intermediate level study.

Participants who complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion, and will have the option to apply for units of university course credit at a nominal rate, through the California State University – San Bernardino’s College of Extended Learning.

• Stable high-speed internet connection
• Recent model desktop or laptop computer (Mac or PC – 2013 or later)
• Headset with microphone
• Webcam (built-in or external)
• GMail or GMail-powered email account

This course cannot be completed using mobile devices, including iPad and Android tablets.