Use 8 key Arabic greetings and farewells correctly in context
F2Lesson 1 of 12◇ Core language
Greetings — Hello, Goodbye and How Are You?
التحيات — مرحبا وإلى اللقاء وكيف حالك؟
Greetings & Personal Information · Everyday communication
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Learning Objectives
Focus on these outcomes rather than trying to memorise everything at once.
Respond to the question كيف حالك؟ with at least 3 different answers
Understand the cultural significance of greetings in Arabic-speaking contexts
Lesson outline
- 8 minStarterGreetings from around the world
- 15 minMain 1Core greetings — presentation and drill
- 15 minMain 2Mingling greetings activity
- 12 minMain 3Dialogue gap-fill and gender distinction
- 10 minPlenaryGreetings performance
Exam connection: Paper 3 Speaking: role play (transactional — meet and greet) and topic conversation (personal information). Paper 4 Writing Q1: form-filling. Paper 2 Reading: personal profiles. Paper 1 Listening: introductions.
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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 مَرْحَبًا mean?
2. What does مَساءُ الخَيْر mean?
3. What does مَعَ السَّلامَة mean?
4. What does السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم mean?
5. What does صَباحُ الخَيْر mean?
6. What does مَساءُ النُّور 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 masculine/feminine distinction in address (كَ vs كِ in كيف حالك). The definite article ال revisited in greeting phrases. Intonation patterns in questions vs statements.
Notice the pattern
- السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم
- وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلام
- مَرْحَبًا
- أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا
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.
السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم. وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلام. مَرْحَبًا. أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا. كَيْفَ حالُكَ؟
- 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.
السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم. وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلام. مَرْحَبًا. أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا. كَيْفَ حالُكَ؟
- What is the main topic of the text?
- Find two words or phrases connected with “Greetings — Hello, Goodbye and How Are You?”.
- 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 “Greetings — Hello, Goodbye and How Are You?” 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 Greetings — Hello, Goodbye and How Are You?. 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.
Starter8 min
Greetings from around the world
teacher or partner greets class in 5 different languages (Bonjour, Hola, Salaam, Shalom, Nǐ hǎo). Identify the language. Then ask: "What do all greetings have in common?" Establish: greetings open conversations, Look at respect, set the tone. In Arabic, greetings are particularly important — they often include blessings and have prescribed responses. Today we learn the Arabic greeting system.
Main 115 min
Core greetings — presentation and drill
Present the 8 greetings on flashcards with audio. Model pronunciation carefully — especially السلام عليكم (the lam-alif, the ayn). Choral drill: teacher or partner says greeting, You respond with the correct response (السلام عليكم → وعليكم السلام; صباح الخير → صباح النور; كيف حالك → بخير الحمد لله). Drill 5 times each pair. Then teacher or partner says the response, You say the greeting (reversing the drill to check both sides).
Main 215 min
Mingling greetings activity
You stand up. For 5 minutes they move around the room greeting each other in Arabic — they must use at least 4 different greetings (tracked on a personal tally card). teacher or partner joins in and models natural speed. After 5 minutes, You sit and report: "I used... I found ... difficult because..." This speaking activity builds confidence and naturalness. Note: ensure السلام عليكم is introduced respectfully — explain its religious significance and that it is appropriate for all You to use as a language learners' greeting.
Main 312 min
Dialogue gap-fill and gender distinction
Give You the gap-fill worksheet — a short dialogue between Ahmad and Sara. You fill in the missing greetings. Then focus: on the board write كيف حالكَ vs كيف حالكِ. Explain: Arabic distinguishes masculine and feminine in the "you" form. The كَ (fatha) is for males, كِ (kasra) is for females. You practise: "If I am speaking to a boy I say... if speaking to a girl I say..." Pairs practise with correct forms.
Plenary10 min
Greetings performance
3 pairs volunteer to perform a short greeting exchange (minimum 4 lines each) to the class. Class gives feedback using two stars and a wish (2 things done well, 1 suggestion). teacher or partner consolidates: today's greetings will appear in IGCSE Paper 3 Speaking role plays and topic conversations. Write all 8 greetings + responses in their vocabulary section with translation.
Useful resources
- Greeting flashcards (phrase + translation)
- Audio clips of authentic Arabic greetings (teacher voice or YouTube — e.g. Arabic Pod 101)
- Role-play scenario cards
- Greeting dialogue gap-fill worksheet
Stretch / heritage-reader challenge
Heritage readers: write the full greeting السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته and its response, and explain the meaning of each word. Then prepare a longer greeting dialogue (6–8 lines) for next lesson's speaking practice.
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Plenary
Finish with a quick check and one clear next step.
Key takeaways
- Use 8 key Arabic greetings and farewells correctly in context
- Respond to the question كيف حالك؟ with at least 3 different answers
- Understand the cultural significance of greetings in Arabic-speaking contexts
- Grammar focus: Introduction to masculine/feminine distinction in address (كَ vs كِ in كيف حالك). The definite article ال revisited in greeting phrases. Intonation patterns in questions vs statements.
Exit ticket
Mingling activity observation (teacher or partner tracks use of 4+ greetings). Gap-fill worksheet (collected). Plenary performance.
Optional follow-up
Learn all 8 greetings and their responses by heart. Practise with a family member or friend. Write a short imaginary dialogue (6 lines) between two people meeting for the first time — use at least 4 greetings from today.
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.