Read and extract specific information from a school timetable in Arabic
F4Lesson 8 of 12◇ F4 Lesson 8 of 12 R Reading
Reading — School Texts and Timetables
القِراءة — نُصوص وَجَداوِل مَدرَسِيَّة
School Life · Education
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Learning Objectives
Focus on these outcomes rather than trying to memorise everything at once.
Understand a 70-word school description text and answer comprehension questions
Identify the purpose and audience of different types of school texts
Revision plan
- 8 minWarm-upText type sorting
- 15 minStep 1Timetable reading — Text 1
- 20 minStep 2School newsletter and notice — Texts 2 and 3
- 8 minStep 3Vocabulary in context
- 9 minPlenaryWrite your own school notice
Exam connection: Listening: school conversations and descriptions | Reading: timetables, newsletters, notices | Writing: email/article (guided 80–100-word preparation for later Paper 4 extended writing) | Speaking: role play (school setting) and topic conversation
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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 جُمْهور mean?
2. What does الجُمهور المُستَهدَف mean?
3. What does جَدوَل mean?
4. What does رِسالَة mean?
5. What does مَنْشور mean?
6. What does هَدَف القِراءَة 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
Reading strategy: text type identification. School vocabulary in reading context: review of all F4 vocabulary in written form. Questions about timetables using مَتى، في أَيِّ يَوم، كَم حِصَّة.
Notice the pattern
- جَدول مَدرَسي
- اكتب إعلاناً مدرسياً.
- منشور مدرسي
- هذه رسالة.
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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Check a model pattern after you try
Compare your sentences with these lesson patterns. Check the same agreement, tense or word order.
- مَتى، في أَيِّ يَوم، كَم حِصَّة
- جَدول مَدرَسي
- اكتب إعلاناً مدرسياً
Now correct one of your own sentences if needed.
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Skills Practice
Practise listening, reading, speaking and writing with the same lesson language.
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Listening
Listen for opinion. Listen twice: first for the overall meaning, then for evidence.
🎧 Recorded audio coming soon — use the device voice for listening practice now. Keep the transcript hidden for your first two listens.
جَدول مَدرَسي. اكتب إعلاناً مدرسياً. منشور مدرسي. هذه رسالة. معلومة مهمة.
- What is the main topic or situation?
- Does the speaker/text sound positive, negative or neutral?
- Write one word or phrase that supports your answer.
Check your listening
A successful answer identifies the main topic, at least three accurate words and one relevant detail. Replay once, then reveal the transcript only if you still need support.
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Reading
Underline known words before answering.
ما الدرس في يوم الثلاثاء السَّاعة التَّاسعة؟ / كم حِصَّة عربية في الأسبوع؟ / متى الاستراحة؟ / ما آخر درس في يوم الخميس؟ مَتى، في أَيِّ يَوم، كَم حِصَّة. جَدول مَدرَسي. اكتب إعلاناً مدرسياً.
- What is the main idea or situation?
- Choose one phrase and explain what it means in this context.
- Find one example that shows the lesson language or grammar in use.
- What extra detail could you add to make the text more complete?
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.
- Talk about your school life using the lesson focus. Include a subject, person, place or routine detail.
- Use at least three useful items from this lesson and one complete sentence with the target grammar.
- Add one reason, detail or example instead of giving only a short answer.
Useful frame:في رَأيي.. لِأَنَّ.. أَيضاً.. وَمِن جِهَةٍ أُخرى..
Working alone? Record yourself for 30–60 seconds, listen back once, and improve one pronunciation, grammar or fluency point.
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Writing
Plan, write, check and improve.
Task: Write a short response to the reading focus: summarise the key point, then add your own relevant detail or opinion. Target: 60–80 words.
Need help? Build your answer in small steps
- Opening: one clear sentence that answers the task.
- Detail: add two relevant pieces of information.
- Extend: add a reason, opinion, time phrase or example.
- Check: compare agreement, spelling and tense with the lesson rule.
Patterns from this lesson you can adapt:
- ما الدرس في يوم الثلاثاء السَّاعة التَّاسعة؟ / كم حِصَّة عربية في الأسبوع؟ / متى الاستراحة؟ / ما آخر درس في يوم الخميس؟
- مَتى، في أَيِّ يَوم، كَم حِصَّة
- جَدول مَدرَسي
Try first without opening this support. Adapt the patterns; do not copy them as a complete answer.
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Activities
Complete the activities in order, or choose the one that addresses your weakest area.
Independent revision: if an activity mentions a partner, cards, a picture or classroom equipment, use paper/notes on your device and complete both sides yourself. For speaking, record your answer and listen back once.
Warm-up8 min
Text type sorting
Study 4 images of different Arabic school texts: a timetable, a newsletter, a school rules poster, a follow-up practice assignment. You sort them by: purpose (inform/instruct/describe), audience (You/parents/both), and format (table/paragraph/list). Discuss: "How do you know what type of text it is before you read it?" Identify visual clues (layout, tables, bullet points, formal vs informal register). This metacognitive awareness directly supports Paper 2 reading comprehension.
Step 115 min
Timetable reading — Text 1
Use the Arabic school timetable. Task A: answer 6 questions in Arabic (ما الدرس في يوم الثلاثاء السَّاعة التَّاسعة؟ / كم حِصَّة عربية في الأسبوع؟ / متى الاستراحة؟ / ما آخر درس في يوم الخميس؟). Task B: 4 true/false statements about the timetable. Task C: "Is this an Arab country school or a UK school? How do you know?" (Look for: days of week used, subjects listed, time structure.) This text type mirrors Paper 2 Question Group 1 and 2 formats exactly.
Step 220 min
School newsletter and notice — Texts 2 and 3
Text 2 (partly vowelled newsletter): Read and answer 5 comprehension questions in Arabic full sentences. Questions target: main information (R1), factual details (R2), opinion expressed in the text (R3), selecting relevant details (R4) — all four reading AOs targeted in one text. Text 3 (unvowelled notice): Identify the purpose of the notice and 3 key pieces of information it contains. Strategy: use text layout, any numbers/dates, and known vocabulary as anchors. Compare: what was harder about Text 3? What strategies helped?
Step 38 min
Vocabulary in context
From Texts 2 and 3, your partner selects 5 unknown words. You attempt to guess meaning from context (surrounding words, sentence structure, Arabic root patterns if recognisable). Write their guess and the contextual clue they used. Then reveal answers. Discuss: which strategies for guessing unknown words worked best? This directly practices the IGCSE reading skill "deduce the meaning of occasional unknown words from context" — listed explicitly in the syllabus.
Plenary9 min
Write your own school notice
Write a short school notice (إعلان) in Arabic — 4–5 sentences announcing an event (a school trip, a class change, a sports day, a visit from an Arabic speaker). Must include: day, time, location, what is required of you. Exchange with partner — partner reads and extracts the 4 key pieces of information. Did they communicate clearly? This production task consolidates all F4 language in an authentic text type.
Useful to have
Things you can make or find to help you revise this lesson:
- Text 1: Arabic school timetable (authentic-style)
- Text 2: School newsletter article (70 words, partly vowelled)
- Text 3: School notice/announcement (unvowelled)
- Reading strategy question prompts
- Comprehension worksheets
Stretch challenge
If you already speak some Arabic at home: write a full school newsletter article (100 words) in Arabic reporting on a school event — real or invented. Use formal MSA register throughout. Include a direct quote from a student or a partner. Peer-edit with another learner who also speaks Arabic at home.
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Plenary
Finish with a quick check and one clear next step.
Key takeaways
- Read and extract specific information from a school timetable in Arabic
- Understand a 70-word school description text and answer comprehension questions
- Identify the purpose and audience of different types of school texts
- Grammar focus: Reading strategy: text type identification. School vocabulary in reading context: review of all F4 vocabulary in written form. Questions about timetables using مَتى، في أَيِّ يَوم، كَم حِصَّة.
Final check
Timetable comprehension (check marked for accuracy). Newsletter/notice comprehension (marked). Context vocabulary guessing (partner observation).
Optional follow-up
Read your school notice again and improve it (add more detail, check Arabic accuracy). Write 3 comprehension questions about your notice that a another person could answer. Swap next lesson for peer reading practice.
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.