Level 5

Sorry to everybody that was expecting news...
I am now in the 5th level of the University of Damascus and I have so much to study to keep my minds up to date with the Classic Arabic (Fusrah, like 'correct') that I left a bit the blog. I have been very sick for one week in end of december. I also had some problems with my flat. I moved to Mezze Jebel (Like 'mountain of Mezze') with Anaïs and Fadi.
After the 5th level, I'll make a break of 2 months with the University. I have to practice all the grammar and vocabulary we learn in a so short time. I am thinking in taking private classes. My mother will also visit me in April for 3 weeks to visit Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. These are the 2 reasons for a smart break! The last exam of this level will be within one week.

PS: You can still check all the old post by clicking on 2007 in Blog Archive.

Mezze

Victory!
This is my first night at home! What an enjoyment to bring all my stuff to our house!
We going to live in 3 with Juan and Anaïs. Life in Mezze is little bit different : people living here are younger, there is not only ultra-conservative families.

-Click on the title link to look on google maps about mezze district in Damascus.-

Home, sweet home?

After one week of trying to find home, it seems that today is a success day?
Last Wednesday, I met a Syrian guy that would like to live with a foreigner. It is very difficult to meet arabic student to live with because mos of them live with their family or in the student residence. He is not a student, he is working as graphic designer (http://www.juanzero.com).
If everything works, after signing papers, will be home in 2 days, inch Allah!
Will live in Mezze so I will be nearer to the university than in Baramkeh!

Damascus University

Today was the First Day on the Damascus University. It give me the same feeling as last year: good rhythm in the schedule with a pause each hour to keep concentrated, nice teachers and classes with few students (8~12). I am in the 2nd level as I was expecting. In the language center, there are many Europeans and also Syrians because they teach also Russian, Japanese, French, etc. After Abdul* lessons during one year it is easier to learn the complete writing grammar because it sounds logic and only practical application of oral expression.
The language center schedule is organized by month sessions. But it follows the Arabic Muslim calendar (Moon calendar) as dates do not fit with Christian months: a session can begin and finish in some day during the Christian month. Between each session, we have an average of 10 days of holiday. In conclusion, the rhythm of the university is strong and we can not miss more than 4 days during a session.
Lessons are between 9am to 1pm. The week-end is on Friday and Saturday.

*Abdul was my teacher in Madrid, his method of teaching Arabic is based in listening and repeating daily use of Arabic. It introduces you to the complex grammar structure of the language without getting rid of it because you just use the forms you repeat in a context.

Tahdiid moustawa

Level test on Tuesday 16th october was not so great...everybody felt that it was too difficult!
But it is quite normal : they give us the hardest test just to be able to make easily the groups of students in the 8 levels from beginner to advanced.
No surprises, I get the results and I will be in 2nd level as I expected.
Classes will begin on Sunday 21th october.