Arabic GCSE and A Level Study Day: Captain Abu Raed

Recommended for GCSE, A Level or equivalent level Arabic

This session will be led by Salwa Mohamed, Associate Lecturer of Arabic at Manchester Metropolitan University. The day will include an introduction from Salwa, providing contextual information and key words. This will be followed by a film screening of Captain Abu Raed, helping learners explore a range of topics related to Arabic language and culture. After a lunch break, Salwa will lead a series of Arabic GCSE and A Level language exercises based on the film’s main characters, events and themes. Study session activities will be in Arabic. 

The session will look into issues of poverty, domestic violence and child labour in a capital city in the Arab world. It will also explore how to nurture hope and make a difference in the world, even in the grimmest realities. 

The day will be a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in Arabic outside of the classroom and will nurture a positive attitude towards learning Arabic. 

Screening: Captain Abu Raed (PG)
Dir Amin Matalqa / Jordan / 2007
102 mins / Arabic with English Subtitles
Abu Raed is a lonely janitor at Amman’s International Airport. Never having realised his dreams of seeing the world, he experiences it vicariously through books and brief encounters with travellers. When he finds a captain’s hat in the trash, he gets pulled into the lives of children in his poor neighborhood and discovers the grim realities of their home life. He weaves imaginary stories of his world adventures to offer hope in the face of their harsh reality.