Identify Arabic as a right-to-left script with 28 letters
F1Lesson 1 of 12◇ Core language
Welcome to Arabic — The Alphabet Family
مرحباً بكم في اللغة العربية
Arabic Script & Sounds · Script and sound foundations
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Learning Objectives
Focus on these outcomes rather than trying to memorise everything at once.
Recognise the first 7 letters of the alphabet (أ ب ت ث ج ح خ) by shape and name
Understand that letters change shape depending on their position in a word
Lesson outline
- 10 minStarterWhat do you already know?
- 15 minMain 1Meet the first letter family (أ ب ت ث)
- 15 minMain 2Letters ج ح خ — the bowl family
- 10 minMain 3Position concept — a first look
- 10 minPlenaryExit ticket — Letter match
Exam connection: This unit builds the script foundation for all subsequent units and all four exam papers. Paper 1 Listening and Paper 2 Reading both require students to process Modern Standard Arabic in script form.
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Vocabulary
Tap each card to reveal the meaning, category and example.
Three-step recall
- Say the Arabic aloud.
- Cover the meaning and recall it.
- Use six items in your own spoken or written sentences.
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Quizzes
Use the two short checks. Errors show you what to revise next.
Quiz 1 — Meaning check
0 / 61. What does ت mean?
2. What does ب mean?
3. What does أ mean?
4. What does أَبْجَدِيَّة mean?
5. What does خ mean?
6. What does اللُّغَة العَرَبِيَّة mean?
Quiz 2 — Match Arabic and English
العربية
English
Matched: 0 / 6
Stretch challenge
Choose three matched items and combine them into one accurate sentence or short exchange.
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Grammar
Read the rule, notice the pattern and then produce your own examples.
Core rule / strategy
Introduction to right-to-left writing direction; concept of letter families (letters that share a base shape)
Notice the pattern
- أ
- ب
- ت
- ث
Accuracy checklist
- Check the subject and verb or noun/adjective agreement.
- Check gender, number and tense or time frame.
- Use the lesson structure in a complete, meaningful sentence.
- Read the sentence aloud and correct anything that sounds incomplete.
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Skills Practice
Practise listening, reading, speaking and writing with the same lesson language.
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Listening
Listen twice: first for the main idea, then for details.
اِقرَأْ بِصَوتٍ واضِح: أ، ب، ت، ث، ج، ح، خ، حَرْف، أَبْجَدِيَّة، اللُّغَة العَرَبِيَّة. لاحِظِ الشَّكلَ والصَّوتَ واتِّجاهَ الكِتابة.
- What is the main topic?
- Write three Arabic words you recognise.
- What one detail can you hear or infer?
Teacher/partner guidance and possible answer
Read the Arabic text naturally twice. A successful answer identifies the lesson topic, any three accurate key words and one relevant detail from the text.
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Reading
Underline known words before answering.
اِقرَأْ بِصَوتٍ واضِح: أ، ب، ت، ث، ج، ح، خ، حَرْف، أَبْجَدِيَّة، اللُّغَة العَرَبِيَّة. لاحِظِ الشَّكلَ والصَّوتَ واتِّجاهَ الكِتابة.
- What is the main topic of the text?
- Find two words or phrases connected with “Welcome to Arabic — The Alphabet Family”.
- What specific detail can you identify?
- Which grammar structure from this lesson appears, or could be added?
Reading support
Start with names, numbers, repeated words, connectors and familiar verb patterns. You do not need to translate every word.
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Speaking
Build your answer, then ask a follow-up question.
- Explain the topic “Welcome to Arabic — The Alphabet Family” in your own words.
- Use at least five items from the vocabulary section.
- Give an opinion or personal example and justify it.
- Ask and answer two follow-up questions with a partner.
Useful frame:في رَأيي... لِأَنَّ... أَيضاً... وَمِن جِهَةٍ أُخرى...
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Writing
Plan, write, check and improve.
Task: Write about Welcome to Arabic — The Alphabet Family. Use at least eight vocabulary items, the lesson grammar and two connectors. Target: 40–60 words.
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Activities
Complete the activities in order, or choose the one that addresses your weakest area.
Starter10 min
What do you already know?
Study the word "العربية" on the board. Ask You: What do you notice? Which direction does it go? Has anyone seen Arabic before — where? Take 5–6 responses. Then reveal: Arabic has 28 letters, is written right to left, and is the language of the Quran, 400+ million speakers, and 22 countries. Look at a world map highlighting Arabic-speaking countries briefly.
Main 115 min
Meet the first letter family (أ ب ت ث)
Introduce letters أ ب ت ث as a family sharing the same base dot pattern (0, 1, 2, 3 dots). Write each on the board with its name and sound. Choral drill: teacher or partner says letter name, You repeat. Trace letters in the air. Look at isolated form only at this stage. You copy into exercise books, writing each letter 5 times carefully.
Main 215 min
Letters ج ح خ — the bowl family
Introduce ج ح خ as a family (same bowl shape, differentiated by dots: 1, 0, 1 above). Drill names and sounds. You add to exercise books. Pair activity: Partner A writes a letter, Partner B names it. Swap. Circulate and correct pencil direction (right to left).
Main 310 min
Position concept — a first look
Briefly Look at You that Arabic letters join together in words. Study أبجد on screen and point out how letters connect. Tell You: "We will learn how to join them — but first we master the shapes." No writing of joined forms yet. Heritage You: ask if they can identify any letters they recognise from Islamic Studies.
Plenary10 min
Exit ticket — Letter match
Use a small card with 4 Arabic letters (from أ–خ) and 4 transliterated names in jumbled order. You draw lines to match letter to name in 3 minutes. Collect cards as you dismiss You — use as formative assessment of who needs reinforcement next lesson.
Useful resources
- Whiteboard / interactive display
- Arabic alphabet chart (A3 poster or projected)
- Letter flashcards (أ–خ)
- Student exercise books
- Coloured pens/pencils for tracing
Stretch / heritage-reader challenge
Heritage readers: during the pair activity, ask them to write a short word from Islamic Studies that contains one of today's letters and share with the class (e.g. أَلله, تَوبة). Encourage them to explain the letter they can identify.
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Plenary
Finish with a quick check and one clear next step.
Key takeaways
- Identify Arabic as a right-to-left script with 28 letters
- Recognise the first 7 letters of the alphabet (أ ب ت ث ج ح خ) by shape and name
- Understand that letters change shape depending on their position in a word
- Grammar focus: Introduction to right-to-left writing direction; concept of letter families (letters that share a base shape)
Exit ticket
Exit ticket card (letter-to-name matching). teacher or partner observation during tracing and pair activity.
Optional follow-up
Practise writing letters أ ب ت ث ج ح خ three times each in exercise book. Draw a picture next to each letter of something that starts with that sound (can be in any language).
Confidence check
How secure do you feel after this lesson?
Remember: quick revision works best when you revisit weak vocabulary and correct errors, not when you try to complete everything in one sitting.