The Arabic language is considered one of the largest and oldest languages of the world! With its origins dating back to pre-Islamic Arabia, Arabic belongs to the Semitic group of languages. Most Semitic languages are now extinct. In addition to Arabic, the only living Semitic languages remaining are Modern Hebrew, Amharic, and a dialect of Aramaic. Among these, Arabic is the most widely spoken and has grown in popularity in recent years.

Not only has the Arabic language existed for a long period of time, it is also regarded as a sacred language. Arabic is the language of Islam, one of the world's major religions. Muslims believe that God revealed Islam's holy book, the Quran, in Arabic. Muslims across the globe aspire to learn the Arabic language in order to understand the Quran in its original form and to communicate with other Muslims from various backgrounds through the language they share.

From Morocco to Iraq and throughout the Arabian Peninsula, Arabic is spoken in more than 20 countries. It is used as a primary language by approximately 250 million people, but is understood by up to jour times more among Muslims around the world.

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is considered the official language throughout the Arab world. In its written form, Modern Standard Arabic is relatively consistent across national boundaries and is used in official documents as well as for communication between Arabs of different nationalities. However, spoken forms of Arabic vary widely and each Arab country has its own dialect that is spoken colloquially. In fact, spoken Arabic dialects may vary by region, so Arabic-speaking Syrians may not understand Arabic-speaking Moroccans, just as Arabic-speaking Egyptians may find it difficult to communicate with Arabic-speaking Yemenis.

The Arabic language is not only important to Muslims, but also biblical scholars, linguists, and historians. In 1887, one scholar addressed the German Academy of Sciences in Berlin, stating that, "The language of the Arabs is reckoned as one of the greatest and most wonderful products of the human mind in the field of language construction."

Many Arabic words and expressions are used in other languages in the Muslim world such as Farsi and Urdu, which also utilize the Arabic script. The Arabic language has also had a profound influence on European languages and dialects, especially in the Mediterranean region. For example, the word 'Gibraltar' derives its name from the Arabic 'Jabal Tariq' (Translation: The mountain of Tariq). In present time, words of Arabic origin can be found in the Italian and Spanish languages, due to periods of Muslim reign in those countries. The polite word for 'you' - "usted" - comes from the Arabic word "ustaadh", an honorific form of address used by Arabs. In fact, the languages of northern India, Turkey, and Portugal are also full of words of Arabic origin. In 1974, Arabic was made the sixth official language of the United Nations due to the vast amount of people possessing a functioning knowledge of Arabic.

Arabic is written with its own distinct alphabet. The Arabic Alphabet is composed of 28 letters and is known as lughatud-dhaad, or "the language of the ض " because it is the only language in the world that utilizes the 'dhaad' sound. Written and read from right to left, Arabic has no capital letters and short vowels are not indicated in the text. Arabic grammar is relatively simple, but its rich vocabulary surpasses many Western languages. Most Arabic words are built from a stem of three consonants, or roots. A wide range of words are derived from these root consonants. For example, s-l-m is the root of the words Islam, Muslim, salaam (peace), salaama (safety), etc.

The Arabic alphabet shares many letters with other languages (except for the dhaad), but the following letters do not have Latin correspondents: kh (similar to German ch), gh (softer kh), ayn (guttural stop), th (as in "three"), dh (softer than th, as in "the"), sh (as in "she"), and stronger, emphasized versions of the letters t, d (dhaad), h, s, and z. The Arabic alphabet also includes one letter, the hamza, which is not even pronounced beyond a stop.

Transliteration is used to transcribe Arabic writing into its Latin substitute. In order to compensate for the many Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent, a combination of Latin letters and techniques are used to best express the Arabic word. The most accurate transliterations employ diacritical marks, but for the sake of simplicity, we have omitted them from the Arabian Sinbad supplementary materials in order to guide the reader in the easiest way possible.

Caveat: The transliterations are included as a guide to reading the Arabic words in all the written materials where pronunciation. is unavailable. They are not intended as replacements or exact analogues of the Arabic text. The best way to learn how to read transliterations is to listen to the pronunciation of the words-either through the Arabian Sin bad episodes and songs, or through the Interactive Word Bank included on the Arabian Sin bad CD-ROM game.

As we have seen, the Arabic language is a dynamic language that is wide-reaching in its geographical and historical scope. Arabic is an important language in many fields, including science, math, history, humanities, philosophy, social science, literature, and art. It is a language that also has religious significance, as it is the language in which Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to humanity. It has also gained much popularity in recent times and is growing as one of the most sought after languages to learn.

Also, in recent political times there has been an upsurge of curiosity regarding Arabs, the Middle East and Islam. Learning the Arabic language has the potential to play a key role in the facilitation of breaking biases and promoting understanding. This is because language is known to play a crucial role in culture, the transmission of culture, intercultural communication, and in discovering world views. Learning the Arabic language can boost much-needed cross-cultural and inter-cultural relationships, and provide further insight into the Arab culture that is still alien to many Westerners.

Educators developed Arabian Sinbad by canvassing learning methodologies in order to find the best system to encourage beginning level students to learn Arabic. After reviewing a few theories surrounding language acquisition, we will describe the Arabic Language Treasureand how it can be used to supplement traditional Arabic instruction.

The first installment of Arabian Sinbad, a series of 18 animated episodes and supplementary materials, introduces the beginning learner to Arabic vocabulary. This will build up their reservoir of Arabic vocabulary and encourage them later on as they learn the rules of Arabic grammar, reading, and writing. They will be able to recognize objects and words and speak the language confidently, even with little to no previous reading or writing knowledge.

In this section, we will briefly outline the stages of acquiring language that have been implemented in the Arabic Language Treasure.

• Learning through Connection and Association. Visual learning helps the beginner connect the object with the word it represents. In Arabian Sin bad, all written and spoken vocabulary words are accompanied by their corresponding images, and repeated for emphasis so that beginners can formulate a strong connection. Connection and association are the first steps to recognizing and learning names of objects in Arabic.

• Encouraging the Acquisition if Language. Although repetition of connection and association is the first step in language acquisition, it is not sufficient enough to learn a new language. Not only does the student need to be given time to absorb and become comfortable with the material being learned, forms of positive reinforcement and encouragement also need to be issued ill order to keep interest stoked and advance language retention.

• Transitioning from Beginning to Advanced Learning easy vocabulary facilitates learning of small sentences, then longer and more complicated ones. According to the theory of language transfer, vocabulary is best built by beginning with tangible objects and then transitioning to more abstract concepts. It is best to build a core and then branch from that gradually by differentiation. (An example of this is presenting antonyms or opposites).

The Arabic Language Treasure utilizes a combination of techniques to best aid the learning process. The episodes are entirely in Arabic, and the supplementary materials such as the activity books, illustrated dictionary, flashcards, and CD-ROM game are bilingual. However, the bilingual elements of the products (i.e. translations and transliterations) are optional and intended only as an aid in all written material where Arabic reading knowledge is not yet proficient at the beginner level The episodes form the basis of the Arabic Language Treasure and are spoken completely in Arabic.

The ArabianSinbad episodes utilize the renowned "Language Immersion Method" which plunges the beginner into the new language as if they were explorers in a different country! By immersing the child in the new language, they learn to make direct connections between what they see and what they hear without an intermediary, thereby developing an ear for the language without distraction. Listening is the first thing a child (or beginning-level student) does in learning. Listening comes before reading and writing, and helps expand their word base. This aids reading later on because it helps them recognize words and sentences in the written form. They are able to do so because they were exposed to them visually and sonically through the episodes, and they practiced them in the activity books and other supplementary materials.

The Arabic Language Treasure is ideal for relaxed, at-home learning or in a structured classroom setting. Below are details of the products and some suggestions on how to incorporate them into your Arabic Learning Adventure.

The colorfully animated episodes are the core of the Arabian Sinbad Learning Adventure. Supplementing classroom instruction, they present a wide-ranging Arabic vocabulary that is spoken in the correct, native Arabic accent.

The Arabian Sinbad series is divided into three levels where Sinbad goes on a new adventure each time. Each level is comprised of six 20-25 minute episodes, making a total of 18 episodes in all. For your convenience, there are 2 episodes per DVD. All the episodes introduce vocabulary and usage, while the 60-minute Vocabulary Review DVD recaps the lessons learned.

The following are synopses of each level and a sample of the lessons introduced which can aide teachers as they choose how best to use them.

This expanded 60-minute DVD recaps the vocabulary and grammar learned in each episode: all the nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, numbers, directions, colors, shapes, animals, geography, relationships, occupations, and more

Children can continue their Arabic learning adventure with "Arabian Sinbad's Adventure Island CD-ROM Game." This interactive CD is an entertaining and beneficial way to practice and reinforce the lessons taught in the episodes. As the children join Sinbad on Adventure Island, they are challenged to the following games:

• Antonyms/Opposites. As children board Sinbad's ship, they play a fun game that teaches them to identify opposites with a series of pop-up pictures that disappear if they take too long. As the children race against time to identify the opposites for the groups of pictures, they learn their antonyms in Arabic in an entertaining way.
  

  Game Instructions: When a word is called out, click on the picture of its opposite! Hurry before the pictures disappear behind closed doors I For every wrong guess, one Sinbad point will be stolen!

• Professions of the World This game teaches kids to identify different professions and the tools that they use. From doctors to musicians and even the mailman, children connect each profession to its corresponding tools and reinforce a large array of vocabulary at the same time. Children learn to identify many familiar objects in Arabic that are commonly found in their environment! They are also exposed to a plethora of professions to choose from in the future.

  Game Instructions: Choose the correct objects that the character needs for each job and proceed to the next character. You can start over by clicking on the back button. With every wrong answer, one Sinbad point will be lost! A wrong answer will be highlighted in red. Be careful, each player has three chances to choose the correct objects, or the game is up!

• Let's go grocery shopping! Designed for the intermediate-level Arabic student, this fun game instructs them in Arabic through various tasks. As the children organize and put groceries away in their proper places, they are tested on names of objects, locations, and their comprehension of following spoken directions.

  Game Instructions: Listen carefully to know the locations of the objects, and then place the objects in their appropriate places by dragging them to the correct shelves.

• Creative Canvas. This game encourages children to create their own or choose an existing picture to paint from Sinbad's world. Choosing from a plethora of colors, children can indulge in creative, colorful fun. They can also click on every object in their artwork to hear its Arabic name! The print option allows them to hang their masterpieces wherever they want!

  Game Instructions: Choose a scene by clicking on the rolls of paper on the bottom of the screen. Next, pick objects from the left and place them on the picture. Choose from animals, shapes, insects, food and more by clicking the button on the top lefthand corner of the screen. Change their size and direction by clicking on the pink elephants. Erase your mistakes by clicking on the eraser. Dip the brush into the paint and color the picture! Finished masterpieces can be printed by clicking on the printer in the lower right hand side of the screen.

• Vocab Bubble Trouble! Watch out, Sinbad As the villainess Shahnaz blows bubbles with pictures in them from a rooftop, Sinbad must catch the right ones while dodging the other things she throws down!This fast-paced game helps children reinforce their vocabulary in a highly entertaining way.

  Game Instructions: Use the arrow keys to play. Listen carefully for the names of the objects and help Sinbad catch them quickly! Catch a Sinbad bubble and earn extra points. Beware of the prickly balls!

• Step by Step. This game helps beginners learn their Arabic numbers as they assist Sinbad in his explorations of Adventure Island!

  Game Instructions: Listen carefully to the numbers and choose the correct stone, or else Sinbad falls! Don't wait too long or he'll get tired and fall in the water!

• Sinbad's World of Words. The interactive Word Bank is an excellent feature where children can click on a number of categories to learn more vocabulary words. Filled with colorful pictures and their corresponding Arabic names, this word bank: also pronounces each Arabic vocabulary word. Including most of the vocabulary introduced in the episodes, this helps children enrich their vocabulary, pronunciation, and spelling.

The Activity Books are a great hands-on tool designed to reinforce the vocabulary learned in the episodes. These bilingual books can benefit Arabic students of all levels. Each book contains a user-friendly glossary, which can be used as an aid for beginners. The activity books challenge the Arabic student to build vocabulary in a variety of ways--through coloring, drawing and other simple exercises. The "Play and Think Activity Book" is also perfect for use in the classroom as the pages are copy-friendly. The "Fun Activities Sticker Book" has much more colorful fun in store!

The "Illustrated Dictionary" is a wonderful resource that contains over 500 vocabulary words featured in all of the Arabian Sin bad products. Complete with colorful illustrations, translations, and transliterations, this dictionary is a valuable tool for the Arabic student. The dictionary not only supplements the episodes but also stands on its own as an excellent vocabulary-building aid.

The Flashcards with Arabic words, translations and transliterations are another great tool to engage your child in a solitary or group setting. Use them to interact with your child at home, or challenge your class to games of matching and identification!

The song CD teaches children through music inspired by Sinbad's adventures. It includes many catchy and entertaining songs. Listen in the car or in the class!

The Arabian .Sinbad products are excellent for classroom use. Teachers can use them to supplement their teaching or simply as fun additions in the class. Below is a guide of how to collectively use the products to maximize the learning experience. Teachers can incorporate some or all of these suggestions to best accommodate their class period (approx. 30 minutes).

1. Play one episode at the beginning of the period, encouraging students to listen and pay attention since they will be asked about what they watch.
2. Afterwards, play the same episode in MUTE and PAUSE as necessary. You, the teacher, ask the class questions related to what they see, making them active participants in the episodes. Replay episodes or scenes as necessary until the class is comfortable with what is learned. (Older students may catch on quicker.)
3. Teachers may verbally ask or write questions on the board similar to the ones learned in each episode. For example, "who is that?" هو من. Other Suggested questions:
   
   
4. Alongside the episodes, teachers may make copies of the "Play and Think Activity Book" and distribute them to the class. These exercises can be undertaken individually or together. The exercises were developed to help reinforce the vocabulary learned in the episodes. Be creative and use the "Fun Activities Sticker Book" on an overhead projector for guided learning!
5. The "Illustrated Dictionary" is a perfect reference for the class. It can also be used as a quick lesson or review session.
6. Teachers may introduce the Flashcards to reinforce vocabulary as well. They may challenge the class in games of identification and matching, either in fun competition or as part of an oral quiz.
7. For further activities, teachers may allow students to play with "Arabian Sinbad}s Adventure Island CD-ROM Game." Each game can be played separately to highlight a specific lesson, such as Opposites, Professions, Numbers, and Vocabulary Identification. Teachers will find the Word Bank especially useful in a class setting. Take students for an interactive lesson by having them play the games individually or in groups of 2 or 3. Perfect for the computer lab!
8. Encourage students to play with the puzzle during free time or as a reward!
9. Have fun listening to the Sing-a-long Song CD! Children will recognize words from the episodes and pick up vocabulary simply by listening and singing along to the catchy tunes! Playas kids arrive or leave class or during recess. Also perfect as background music as children work in groups or on individual assignments!
10. Don't forget to encourage kids as they learn I Motivate students with fun stickers included in the Arabic Language Treasure