The STPM, which stands for ‘Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia’, is an affordable pre-university program that has helped numerous Malaysians further their education at the university. This program is offered to students in Form 6, typically aged between 18 to 19 years old. STPM is a highly-regarded qualification, equivalent to A levels, and is accepted by top universities worldwide, including highly prestigious institutions like Harvard and Cambridge.
Among the subjects offered in STPM is Bahasa Arab. Bahasa Arab simply means the Arabic language. The Arabic language carries the subject code 913 in the STPM list of subjects. Did you know there are many benefits to learning the Arabic language, and it can open up many opportunities for your future? Having a solid background in Arabic Language is very beneficial, especially if you plan to go into business, education, law, or even religious studies.
If you are looking for information on the 913 Arab-language paper, you have arrived at the right place. This article will provide a detailed overview of the Arabic language syllabus and its exam format. So, whether you’re considering taking the exam or already enrolled, you’ll have all the information you need to prepare for and succeed.
Getting to Know the STPM Arabic Language Curriculum
Malaysia’s most professed religion is Islam. In the census conducted in the year 2020, a whopping 63.5% of the population in Malaysia practices Islam. The Islamic religious book is called the Quran, written in Arabic. This makes the Arabic language a trendy subject in schools, not only for STPM but SPM as well.
The Bahasa Arab subject was introduced in STPM in 2000 and has been included ever since. The paper has undergone only one revision so far: in 2012. The most crucial alteration to the Arabic language paper is that it is now divided into three terms.
The Education Ministry changed this mainly to emulate the universities and colleges not only in Malaysia but all around the world. In this revision, the Arabic language had an update to its list of topics and its content. This is to ensure that this subject is aligned with the current development of this subject. This change also aims to create future university candidates who are critical thinkers and effective communicators.
STPM Arabic Language Syllabus Breakdown
The STPM Arabic language syllabus is designed to cover two significant aspects of the language: language skills and grammar. The language skills segment focuses on enhancing the student’s abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to the Arabic language. On the other hand, the grammar section aims to develop the student’s understanding of the fundamental rules and structures of the Arabic language.
In the first semester, students will cover ten main themes related to language skills, vocabulary, and grammar. Please refer to the themes listed below:
- Environment
- Homeland
- Society
- Customs and traditions
- Religion
- Communication
- Language and culture
- Youth and adolescence
- Responsibility
- The Islamic world
In the second semester, students will cover five main themes related to language skills, vocabulary and grammar. Please refer to the themes listed below:
- Sports
- Education
- Prominent personalities
- Media
- Moral
In the third semester, students will cover five main themes related to language skills, vocabulary and grammar. Please refer to the themes listed below:
- Science and technology
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Politics
- Economics and management
During the third semester, students will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of Arabic literature through a wide range of literary texts. These texts encompass a rich history of Arabic literature, including poetic works from various eras. Additionally, students will be required to complete coursework related to literary analysis and interpretation, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of the intricacies of this fascinating field of study. Please refer to the Malaysian Examinations Council website for the complete syllabus details.
Are you a big fan of the Arabic language? Why don’t you check out Uncovering the Legacy of Arab Writers: Breaking Barriers in Literature
What is Covered in Each Term?
To gain a deeper understanding of the STPM Arabic paper, closely analysing its complex components would be advantageous. By exploring the intricate details of the three key terms that form the basis of this paper, we can enhance our comprehension and better appreciate their significance.
Term 1
Term one of the Arabic language STPM paper is known as Arabic Language 1. This term is a written test. In this term, two main themes will be the focal point. The first is to assess the student’s language skills. This includes understanding, written and speech. The second theme is functional grammar, which is the Saraf and Nahu. Saraf refers to the verb conjugation. Nahu, on the other hand, refers to how and why the words are written.
Term 2
This is the second term of the Arabic language course. It builds on the first term and includes an additional theme. Like the previous term, this term assesses the student’s language skills in reading, writing and speaking, as well as their knowledge of grammar, including Saraf and Nahu. However, this term also places emphasis on testing the student’s eloquence.
Term 3
This term is divided into three parts and an assessment. Let’s examine these parts in more detail.
The third section of the Arabic language course is known as term three, and its code is 913/3. It consists of a written exam that evaluates the students’ language skills, including their comprehension, writing, and speaking abilities. Additionally, they will be assessed on their knowledge of functional grammar, the Saraf, and Nahu. The only difference in this section is the inclusion of literary texts as a theme for testing, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the exam.
The second section in term three is known as the Arabic Language 4 and has 913/4 as its code. This section is a conversation and reading assessment, known as “ULB”, which stands for “Ujian Lisan Bahasa Arab”. Simply put, this section is an Arabic oral test.
This term’s third and final section is the Arabic Language 5 paper and has the code 913/5. This section is an essay-based exam whereby the central theme will be coursework.
How Many STPM Arabic Language Papers Are There?
There are five different papers that a student will have to sit for in the STPM Arabic language, even though there are only three terms. Below are the exams with a summary.
Paper 913/1
This is the Arabic Language 1 paper and will be taken in term 1. This paper will assess students on the three themes covered in term 1: language skills, functional grammar, and critical analysis.
Paper 913/2
This Arabic Language 2 paper will be taken in term 2. Similar to the previous paper, this section will also test the students’s language skills and functional grammar, but it has one different theme, which touches on eloquence.
Paper 913/3
This is the Arabic Language 3 paper, similar to the first two papers in that students will be tested on their language skills and functional grammar. What sets this paper apart from the previous two is it also includes an assessment of literary texts. This paper will be taken in the third term.
Paper 913/4
This paper will also be taken in the third term, the Arabic Language 4. Unlike the rest, this assessment is not in written form; instead, it is an oral and conversational test whereby the student will have to read and speak in Arabic.
Paper 913/5
The final paper is Arabic Language 5, and this assessment will be taken in the third term. This is an assessment whereby the students must write essays on their coursework.
Now that you understand the syllabus well, why don’t you check out All You Need to Know About the Grading System for the STPM Bahasa Arab Paper to understand the marking scheme?
Many students find it easier to score on their Arabic language paper when they have the help of a tutor. Superprof is an online platform for students to find a tutor who can help them in many subject areas, and the Arabic language is one of them.
As a student moves from 5 to form 6, the requirement in the examination for the Arabic language changes. With the 2012 amendment to the STPM Arabic language assessment, it is clear that examiners expect a higher level of understanding and critical thinking from the students. Navigating your STPM Bahasa Arab studies can be daunting, leaving you overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for guidance. However, working with a tutor can give you the support and resources you need to excel in your studies.
Superprof has a list of qualified tutors who can help you master the Arabic language for your STPM qualification. The tutors on Superprof are verified, so you can rest assured that you are hiring qualified and experienced tutors who will not only be able to teach you the basics of the Arabic language but also explain, provide excellent tips and tailor the classes to what you need.
A student’s schedule is usually fully occupied with very little wriggle room. This makes scheduling for tuition, extracurricular activities, and lessons tedious, complicated, and sometimes impossible. Superprof’s tutors are very flexible. You have the flexibility to choose your preferred learning medium for Arabic, including face-to-face classes, online lessons, or a hybrid of both. On top of this, you also get to choose the times and days you would like to have the classes. This offers much flexibility that otherwise would be difficult to achieve in many other platforms and tuition centres.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
