Arabic-L:PEDA:New DVD Edition of Al-Kitaab II
Dilworth Parkinson
dilworth_parkinson at BYU.EDU
Tue Nov 29 23:36:33 UTC 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Arabic-L: Tue 29 Nov 2005
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
[To post messages to the list, send them to arabic-l at byu.edu]
[To unsubscribe, send message from same address you subscribed from to
listserv at byu.edu with first line reading:
unsubscribe arabic-l ]
-------------------------Directory------------------------------------
1) Subject:New DVD Edition of Al-Kitaab II
-------------------------Messages-----------------------------------
1)
Date: 29 Nov 2005
From:grellag1 at georgetown.edu
Subject:New DVD Edition of Al-Kitaab II
Georgetown University Press is pleased to announce the second edition of
of "Al-Kitaab fii Ta callum al-cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for
Arabic, Part Two," by Kristen Brustad, Abbas Al-Tonsi, and Mahmoud Al-
Batal. The textbook will be accompanied by three bound-in DVDs with
audio and visual material. The new volume will be available in
January 2006 for spring courses. Below you’ll find some FAQs to tell
you more about the revised edition and the Al-Kitaab program in general.
These books won’t appear on our website for a couple more weeks but
now can be ordered for fall classes directly from our distributors.
Here are the ISBNs for placing orders:
• Al-Kitaab fii Ta callum al-cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for
Arabic: Part Two, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-096-5, $54.95 for the
book plus 3 DVDs)
• Answer Key to Part Two, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-097-3, $6.95)
You and/or your bookstore can order from:
Georgetown University Press
c/o Hopkins Fulfillment Service
P.O. Box 50370
Baltimore, MD 21211-4370
Phone: 1-800-537-5487 (U.S.) or 410-516-6965
FAX: 410-516-6998
Canada:
Please contact our exclusive distributor for Canadian prices and
ordering information:
Scholarly Book Services
127 Portland St., 3rd floor
Toronto, Ontario M5V 2N4
Canada
Phone: 1-800-847-9736
FAX: 1-800-220-9895
www.sbookscan.com
UK and Europe:
Georgetown University Press
c/o NBN International.
Estover Road
Plymouth PL6 7PY
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 1752 202301
FAX: +44 (0) 1752 202333
www.nbnplymbridge.com
Order Fulfillment: orders at nbnplymbridge.com
Customer Services: cservs at nbnplymbridge.com
Australia:
Footprint Books
Unit 1/6A Prosperity Parade
Warriewood NSW 2102
Australia
Phone: +61 02 9997 3973
Fax: +61 02 9997 3185
www.footprint.com.au
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
In the fall of 2004, Georgetown University Press released new
editions of Alif Baa: An Introduction to Letters and Sounds and Al-
Kitaab fii Ta callum al-cArabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic,
Part One.
In the spring of 2006, Georgetown University Press will release a new
edition of Al-Kitaab fii Ta callum al-cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook
for Arabic, Part Two.
This FAQ was designed in part to help answer any questions you may
have about these new editions as well as the rest of the program.
What is the sequence of the Al-Kitaab Arabic language program? Where
do students start and how long will it take them to complete each level?
The program is designed for college-level use over four years. The
program begins with Alif Baa with DVDs: Introduction to Arabic
Letters and Sounds, which introduces the basic skills of reading,
writing, listening, speaking, and cultural understanding and provides
the first 20 to 25 contact hours of instruction.
Students then proceed onto Al-Kitaab fii TacAllum AlcArabiyya with
DVDs: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic: Part One. This volume covers
approximately 130-150 contact hours of instruction in which students
should achieve an intermediate-mid to intermediate-high level of
proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The book
provides vocabulary activities, introduces students to grammar using
spiraling and inference, and exposes students to Egyptian Colloquial
Arabic through a number of short video clips. The accompanying three
DVDs present dialogs, vocabulary, and cultural situations for learning.
Al-Kitaab fii TacAllum AlcArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Arabic:
Part Two is the next volume in the series. Covering 150 contact hours
of instruction, Part Two brings students to the advanced level of
proficiency. Part Two stresses the various skills and introduces
learners to various facets of Arab culture and Arab societies.
The final volume in the program, Al-Kitaab fii TacAllum AlcArabiyya:
A Textbook for Arabic: Part Three continues the same approach used in
Part Two and aims to take students to the advanced-high level of
proficiency. Part Three covers 125-150 contact hours of instruction.
Five audio CDs are sold separately to accompany Part Three.
How are the 2nd editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One,
and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two different from the 1st editions?
Changes to Alif Baa:
• Textbook has been revised and includes some new vocabulary, with
the vocabulary distributed more evenly throughout the book
• DVDs contain most of the same basic dialogues in Egyptian
Colloquial Arabic as in the first edition, but refilmed with a new cast.
• New video footage includes Arabic calligraphy and a large
collection of street signs from Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon.
• Minor changes have been made throughout the audio portions of the
second edition.
Changes to Al Kitaab Part One:
• Textbook has been revised and updated, with a number of
contemporary new readings replacing some of the materials in the
first edition
• Basic video scenes depicting the Maha and Khalid story have been
refilmed with a new cast.
• New to the DVD is the ability to hear the Maha and Khalid story in
both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic.
• The book also includes some new interviews (in Egyptian Arabic with
English subtitles) about such aspects of Arab culture as gender
issues, fasting in the Muslim and Christian traditions, social clubs,
and more.
• In addition to the audio recordings from the first edition, new
audio tracks for vocabulary sections allow students to hear each new
word in isolation first, then in context along with previously
acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures.
• More in-class group activities for vocabulary and grammar structures.
Changes to Al Kitaab Part Two:
• Textbook has been restructured to reflect pedagogical developments
resulting from eight years of teaching the materials.
• Includes 3 interactive DVDs that continue the story of Maha and
Khalid with all new material.
• Gives explicit instructions to students and instructors on drills
and activities, including recommendations on appropriate exercises
for inside and outside class.
• More time and emphasis is placed on learning and activating new
vocabulary, with new classroom activities and DVD features.
• Speaking, listening, and writing skills are emphasized throughout
each lesson and cultural background is also available on the DVD.
• Some reading comprehension texts have been replaced with new material.
• New listening comprehension material has been added, and all of it
is available on the DVDs.
• New colloquial material includes scenes from Maha's visit to Cairo
and a mini-lesson at the end of each lesson.
A major difference in all the new editions is that the audio and
video that were previously only available as separate items are now
combined, expanded, and bound into each textbook. This provides
students with the multimedia necessary to use the program most
effectively. See the end of this FAQ for system requirements for
playing the DVDs.
When will the second editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part
One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two be available?
The second editions of Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One are
available now. Institutions and teachers placing their book orders
now should indicate the new edition with DVDs:
•Alif Baa with DVDs: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds, Second
Edition (ISBN 1-58901-036-1)
• Al-Kitaab fii Ta callum al-cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for
Beginning Arabic: Part One, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-104-X)
The second edition of Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two will be available
in January 2006. Institutions and teachers placing their book orders
now should indicate the new edition with DVDS:
• Al-Kitaab fii Ta callum al-cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for
Arabic: Part Two, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-096-5)
How long will the first editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Part One, and
Al-Kitaab Part Two remain available?
Georgetown University Press has already phased out all first editions
of the textbooks, answer keys, and audio and video components for
Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Part One. Georgetown University Press plans to
phase out all first editions of the textbooks, answer keys, and audio
components for Al-Kitaab Part Two by June 2007.
Are there plans to revise Al-Kitaab Part Three?
At this time, there are no plans to revise Part Three of the Al-
Kitaab program.
Are the audio and video components of the program sold separately or
are they packaged with the textbook at each level?
Starting with the 2nd editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part
One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two, audio and video materials have
been combined into DVDs that are bound into each book and sold as
single volumes.
Separate CDs accompanying the 1st edition of Al-Kitaab Textbook Part
Two are still available for separate purchase until they are phased
out by June 2007.
Audio components for Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Three are only available
as separate items and must be purchased separately from the
corresponding texts.
Part Three has no accompanying video material.
Do the first edition DVDs for Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part
One have the same material as the original—and now unavailable—
videocassettes?
Yes. For the 1st editions, the material on each of these DVDs is
identical to the original, and now unavailable, videocassettes. With
the new 2nd editions, video materials have been refilmed, updated,
changed, and new materials added.
What is included in the DVD and is it keyed to the text? Or does it
stand alone as supplemental material?
The DVDs form an integral part of the textbooks and cannot be used
separately. The DVDs cannot be used as supplemental materials.
Likewise, the books cannot be used without the DVDs. The books and
the DVDs form a unified whole that cannot be separated without
affecting the quality of the overall program. All parts of the audio
and video are keyed to the text.
Is the DVD and CD material different for the 2nd editions?
For the 2nd edition of Alif Baa, all audio and video have been
combined onto 2 DVDs that are bound into the textbook. The basic
dialogues have been refilmed with a new cast. The 2nd edition DVD
also contains new exercises and new dialogues that take place in an
Egyptian context; and cultural materials like video footage of Arabic
calligraphy and a large collection of street signs from Morocco,
Egypt, and Lebanon.
For the 2nd edition of Al-Kitaab Part One, all audio and video
previously sold separately have been revised and expanded and are now
combined in 3 DVDs and are bound into the textbook. The basic
dialogues have been refilmed with a new cast. The basic video scenes
depicting the Maha and Khalid story have been refilmed with a new
cast. New to the DVD is the ability to hear the Maha and Khalid story
in both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. It
also includes some new interviews (in Egyptian Arabic with English
subtitles) about such aspects of Arab culture as gender issues,
fasting in the Muslim and Christian traditions, social clubs, and
more. In addition to the audio recordings from the first edition, new
audio tracks for vocabulary sections allow students to hear each new
word in isolation first, then in context along with previously
acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures. The new edition also
features more in-class group activities for vocabulary and grammar
structures.
For the 2nd edition of Al-Kitaab Part Two, all audio (previously sold
separately) and video (previously only available from Professor Al-
Batal) have been revised and expanded and are now combined in 3 DVDs
and are bound into the textbook. The integrated video material is
totally new and continues the story of Maha and Khalid.
What is included in the audio CDs for the first editions?
The audio components for each of the volumes are not just audio
versions of the written text. The CDs contain dialogue that is keyed
to parts of the text but also offer additional drills.
Is the answer key free with audio, video, and/or text?
No. We do not provide free answer keys with any program components.
Is the answer key free with the new edition?
No. We do not provide free answer keys with either first or second
editions.
Where I can purchase the answer key?
Most bookstores do not carry answer keys. Answer keys can be ordered
online for a nominal fee from Georgetown University Press at
www.press.georgetown.edu/arabic.html or by contacting one of our
distributors.
Are DVDs and CDs available for purchase in foreign countries? If you
are ordering from outside of the U.S. please visit our website to
learn more about contacting our foreign distributors for ordering
information.
What equipment do I need to play the DVDs?
The DVDs are not region-code specific, meaning that they are playable
in any region worldwide. They are recommended for use on NTSC-format
and computer DVD players. The recommended program for playing the
DVDs is Windows Media Player version 10 or more recent (available for
free at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads).
The DVDs may also play on PAL-format DVD players that are equipped to
convert NTSC DVDs; however, a specific PAL-format DVD is not
available. Because the DVDs have a large amount of video and audio
content, it is strongly advised to play them on recent, large-
capacity computers.
Please note that Georgetown University Press does not provide
technical support for the CDs or DVDs that are part of the Al-Kitaab
program.
One of the DVDs/CDs in my book is defective. How can I get a
replacement copy of the individual disc?
To inquire about replacements for defective CDs or DVDs, please email
us at gupress at georgetown.edu. However, please attempt to play the
DVDs on various computers and check that you are following
recommended system requirements before reporting trouble.
Please note that Georgetown University Press does not provide
technical support for the CDs or DVDs that are part of the Al-Kitaab
program.
Some of the menu items on my 2nd edition DVD are not clickable. Is my
DVD defective? No, the DVD is not defective. The sidebar items on the
DVD are meant to outline the possible functions of the DVD. However,
each unit is different. For example, some units may use “Signs” and
the link to those exercises will be active; other units may not use
“Signs” and the link will be inactive.
Technical Information for the Al-Kitaab, 2nd ed., series
Georgetown University Press does not provide person-to-person
technical support for the DVDs that come with these books. Below is a
list of system requirements and tips to guide you in using the DVDs.
Though the DVDs can be played on some home DVD players successfully,
we recommend that the DVDs be played on a computer. The DVD plays
best using Windows Media Player, which is available as a free
download in formats for both Macs and PCs at http://www.microsoft.com/
downloads.
System Requirements
• Operating Systems: Windows 9x/NT4/ME/2000/XP; Mac OS 9 and higher
• Processors: Pentium II and higher; Mac G3 and higher
• RAM: 128 MB
• Monitor Resolution: 800x600 and higher
• DVD-ROM drive with 2x speed
• Peripherals: Sound card, video card, speakers, DVD player software
Navigation Tips
• To move through the DVD, single click on the highlighted buttons.
Click the Menu button on the screen or the Menu button on your remote
to end audios or videos and return to the main menu. Click the Return
button to return to the top menu.
• Though each screen contains a menu on the side, not all sections
apply to each lesson. If the section is not clickable, for example
the Signs section in early lessons of Alif Baa, then this section is
not available in this lesson. This does not mean your DVD is defective.
• To fast forward to a particular part of a video or audio passage,
use the slider bar on the bottom of the player's window to scroll to it.
• If you encounter difficulties when trying to play the DVD on your
computer, you may want to allot more memory to virtual memory, or you
may restart your computer to refresh the virtual memory. Consult your
computer's manual on how to do this.
• If you experience any trouble playing the DVD, it is possible that
the computer is not equipped to play it. Please try to play it on a
different computer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
End of Arabic-L: 29 Nov 2005
More information about the Arabic-l
mailing list