Georgetown University Press

Al-Kitaab Arabic Language Program FAQs

REVISED 12/01/2006

In the fall of 2004, Georgetown University Press released new editions of Alif Baa: An Introduction to Letters and Sounds and Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Part One.

In the spring of 2006, Georgetown University Press released a new edition of Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Arabic, Part Two.

In the spring of 2007 Georgetown University Press will release a repackaged edition of Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya with DVD and MP3 CD: A Textbook for Arabic, Part Three.

This FAQ was designed in part to help answer any questions you may have about these new editions as well as the rest of the program.

What is the sequence of the Al-Kitaab Arabic language program? Where do students start and how long will it take them to complete each level?
How are the 2nd editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two different from the 1st editions?
When will the second editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two be available?
How long will the first editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Part One, and Al-Kitaab Part Two remain available?
Is there a second edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three?
How long will the current edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three remain available?
Are the audio and video components of the program sold separately or are they packaged with the textbook at each level?
I have misplaced one of my DVDs. Can I purchase just the DVD I need?
Do the first edition DVDs for Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One have the same material as the original — and now unavailable — videocassettes?
What is included in the DVD and is it keyed to the text? Or does it stand alone as supplemental material?
Is the DVD and CD material different for the 2nd editions?
What is included in the audio CDs for the first editions?
Is the answer key free with audio, video, and/or text?
Is the answer key free with the new edition?
Where I can purchase the answer key?
Are DVDs and CDs available for purchase in foreign countries?
What equipment do I need to play the DVDs?
One of the DVDs/CDs in my book is defective. How can I get a replacement copy of the individual disc?
Some of the menu items on my 2nd edition DVD are not clickable. Is my DVD defective?
Technical Information
System Requirements
Troubleshooting
Navigation Tips

What is the sequence of the Al-Kitaab Arabic language program? Where do students start and how long will it take them to complete each level?

The program is designed for college-level use over four years. The program begins with Alif Baa with DVDs: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds, which introduces the basic skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and cultural understanding and provides the first 20 to 25 contact hours of instruction.

Students then proceed onto Al-Kitaab fii Ta^cAllum Al^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic: Part One. This volume covers approximately 130-150 contact hours of instruction in which students should achieve an intermediate-mid to intermediate-high level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The book provides vocabulary activities, introduces students to grammar using spiraling and inference, and exposes students to Egyptian Colloquial Arabic through a number of short video clips. The accompanying three DVDs present dialogs, vocabulary, and cultural situations for learning.

Al-Kitaab fii Ta^cAllum Al^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Arabic: Part Two is the next volume in the series. Covering 150 contact hours of instruction, Part Two brings students to the advanced level of proficiency. Part Two stresses the various skills and introduces learners to various facets of Arab culture and Arab societies.

The final volume in the program, Al-Kitaab fii Ta^cAllum Al^cArabiyya: A Textbook for Arabic: Part Three continues the same approach used in Part Two and aims to take students to the advanced-high level of proficiency. Part Three covers 125-150 contact hours of instruction. The original text and audio are now bound together in one volume along with new video material on DVD.

How are the 2nd editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two different from the 1st editions?

Changes to Alif Baa:

Textbook has been revised and includes some new vocabulary, with the vocabulary distributed more evenly throughout the book
DVDs contain most of the same basic dialogues in Egyptian Colloquial Arabic as in the first edition, but refilmed with a new cast.
New video footage includes Arabic calligraphy and a large collection of street signs from Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon.
Minor changes have been made throughout the audio portions of the second edition.

Changes to Al Kitaab Part One:

Textbook has been revised and updated, with a number of contemporary new readings replacing some of the materials in the first edition
Basic video scenes depicting the Maha and Khalid story have been refilmed with a new cast.
New to the DVD is the ability to hear the Maha and Khalid story in both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic.
The book also includes some new interviews (in Egyptian Arabic with English subtitles) about such aspects of Arab culture as gender issues, fasting in the Muslim and Christian traditions, social clubs, and more.
In addition to the audio recordings from the first edition, new audio tracks for vocabulary sections allow students to hear each new word in isolation first, then in context along with previously acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures.
More in-class group activities for vocabulary and grammar structures.

Changes to Al Kitaab Part Two:

Textbook has been restructured to reflect pedagogical developments resulting from eight years of teaching the materials.
Includes 3 interactive DVDs that continue the story of Maha and Khalid with all new material.
Gives explicit instructions to students and instructors on drills and activities, including recommendations on appropriate exercises for inside and outside class.
More time and emphasis is placed on learning and activating new vocabulary, with new classroom activities and DVD features.
Speaking, listening, and writing skills are emphasized throughout each lesson and cultural background is also available on the DVD.
Some reading comprehension texts have been replaced with new material.
New listening comprehension material has been added, and all of it is available on the DVDs.
New colloquial material includes scenes from Maha's visit to Cairo and a mini-lesson at the end of each lesson.

A major difference in all the new editions is that the audio and video that were previously only available as separate items are now combined, expanded, and bound into each textbook. This provides students with the multimedia necessary to use the program most effectively. See the end of this FAQ for system requirements for playing the DVDs.

When will the second editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two be available?

The second editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two are available now. Institutions and teachers placing their book orders now should indicate the new edition with DVDs:

Alif Baa with DVDs: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-036-1)
Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic: Part One, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-104-X)

Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Arabic: Part Two, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-096-5)

How long will the first editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Part One, and Al-Kitaab Part Two remain available?

Georgetown University Press has already phased out all first editions of the textbooks, answer keys, and audio and video components for Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Part One and Part Two.

Is there a second edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three?

No, there is not a second (revised) edition of Part Three. However, a newly packaged Part Three will be released in April 2007. While the textbook material remains the same, audio files have been remastered as MP3 files on one CD and all new video material, which finishes the story of Maha and Khalid, will be included on DVD. The DVD contains only this video material and no additional exercises or audio material. Both the audio CD and the DVD will be bound in to the texbook.

How long will the current edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three remain available?

The current edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three (ISBN 0-87840-272-1) and the audio CDs meant to accompany it (ISBN 0-87840-875-4) will go out of print in April 2007. Since the newly repackaged A;-Kitaab Part Three will include original text with no page numbering changes and the same audio files as the current edition, both texts can be used in the same classroom.

Are the audio and video components of the program sold separately or are they packaged with the textbook at each level?

Starting with the 2nd editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two, and the newly repackaged Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Three, audio and video materials have been combined into DVDs that are bound into each book and sold as single volumes.

Separate CDs accompanying the 1st edition of Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two are still available for separate purchase until they are phased out by June 2007.

Audio components for the current version of Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Three are only available as separate items and must be purchased separately from the corresponding texts. The current version of Part Three has no accompanying video material.

I have misplaced one of my DVDs. Can I purchase just the DVD I need?

For people who have misplaced, lost, or damaged their original DVD, replacement DVDs are available for sale on our website. The material on these DVDs is the same material that appears on the DVDs that come with the second edition textbooks of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Part One, Al-Kitaab Part Two, and the newly repackaged Al-Kitaab Part Three. There is no new material included on these DVDs.

Do the first edition DVDs for Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One have the same material as the original—and now unavailable—videocassettes?

Yes. For the 1st editions, the material on each of these DVDs is identical to the original, and now unavailable, videocassettes. With the new 2nd editions, video materials have been refilmed, updated, changed, and new materials added.

What is included in the DVD and is it keyed to the text? Or does it stand alone as supplemental material?

The DVDs form an integral part of the textbooks and cannot be used separately. The DVDs cannot be used as supplemental materials. Likewise, the books cannot be used without the DVDs. The books and the DVDs form a unified whole that cannot be separated without affecting the quality of the overall program. All parts of the audio and video are keyed to the text.

Is the DVD and CD material different for the 2nd editions?

For the 2nd edition of Alif Baa, all audio and video have been combined onto 2 DVDs that are bound into the textbook. The basic dialogues have been refilmed with a new cast. The 2nd edition DVD also contains new exercises and new dialogues that take place in an Egyptian context; and cultural materials like video footage of Arabic calligraphy and a large collection of street signs from Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon.

For the 2nd edition of Al-Kitaab Part One, all audio and video previously sold separately have been revised and expanded and are now combined in 3 DVDs and are bound into the textbook. The basic dialogues have been refilmed with a new cast. The basic video scenes depicting the Maha and Khalid story have been refilmed with a new cast. New to the DVD is the ability to hear the Maha and Khalid story in both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. It also includes some new interviews (in Egyptian Arabic with English subtitles) about such aspects of Arab culture as gender issues, fasting in the Muslim and Christian traditions, social clubs, and more. In addition to the audio recordings from the first edition, new audio tracks for vocabulary sections allow students to hear each new word in isolation first, then in context along with previously acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures. The new edition also features more in-class group activities for vocabulary and grammar structures.

For the 2nd edition of Al-Kitaab Part Two, all audio (previously sold separately) and video (previously only available from Professor Al-Batal) have been revised and expanded and are now combined in 3 DVDs and are bound into the textbook. The integrated video material is totally new and continues the story of Maha and Khalid.

For The repackaged version of Al-Kitaab Part Three, all audio (previously sold separately) has been remastered as MP3 files and is bound into the book. Also bound into the book is a DVD with all new video material that continues the story of Maha and Khalid.

What is included in the audio CDs for the first editions?

The audio components for each of the volumes are not just audio versions of the written text. The CDs contain dialogue that is keyed to parts of the text but also offer additional drills.

Is the answer key free with audio, video, and/or text?

No. We do not provide free answer keys with any program components.

Is the answer key free with the new edition?

No. We do not provide free answer keys with either first or second editions.

Where I can purchase the answer key?

Most bookstores do not carry answer keys. Answer keys can be ordered online for a nominal fee from Georgetown University Press at www.press.georgetown.edu/arabic.html or by contacting one of our distributors.

Are DVDs and CDs available for purchase in foreign countries?

If you are ordering from outside of the U.S. please visit our website to learn more about contacting our foreign distributors for ordering information.

What equipment do I need to play the DVDs?

The recommended program for playing the DVDs is Windows Media Player version 10 or higher (available for free at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads), or the latest version of RealPlayer (available for free at http://www.real.com/player). The recommended program for playing the DVDs on a MAC is DVD Player software, which comes standard with all MACs. For more information, see the Technical Information section below.

The DVDs are not region-code specific, meaning that they are playable in any region worldwide. They are recommended for use on NTSC-format and computer DVD players. The DVDs may also play on PAL-format DVD players that are equipped to convert NTSC DVDs; however, a specific PAL-format DVD is not available. Because the DVDs for the second edition have a large amount of video and audio content, it is strongly advised to play them on newer computers with more memory and a higher speed processor.

Please note that Georgetown University Press does not provide technical support for the CDs or DVDs that are part of the Al-Kitaab program.

One of the DVDs/CDs in my book is defective. How can I get a replacement copy of the individual disc?

Please check the system requirements below for troubleshooting tips. If these tips do not result in your ability to play the DVDs, please ask your bookstore to cntact Hopkins Fulfillment Services at 1-800-537-5487 for information on how to acquire replacement DVDs.

Please note that Georgetown University Press does not provide technical person-to-person technical support for the CDs or DVDs that are part of the Al-Kitaab program.

Some of the menu items on my 2nd edition DVD are not clickable. Is my DVD defective?

No, the DVD is not defective. The sidebar items on the DVD are meant to outline the possible functions of the DVD. However, each unit is different. For example, some units may use "Signs" and the link to those exercises will be active; other units may not use "Signs" and the link will be inactive.

Technical Information for the Al-Kitaab, 2nd ed., series

Georgetown University Press does not provide person-to-person technical support for the DVDs that come with these books. Below is a list of system requirements and tips to guide you in using the DVDs.

For optimum performance, use Windows XP (for PC) with Windows Media Player version 10 or higher or the newest version of RealPlayer to play the DVDs; or use MAC G3 or higher and play the DVDs with DVD Player software. If you are using an earlier version of Windows you may experience difficulties in playing these DVDs.

Windows Media Player is available as a free download in formats for both Macs and PCs at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads. RealPlayer is available for free at http://www.real.com/player. DVD Player Software comes standard with MACs.

Georgetown University Press recommends that the DVDs that are provided with this series be played on a computer, rather than a home DVD player, and that the computer has at least the following capabilities:

System Requirements

Operating Systems: Windows 9x/NT4/ME/2000/XP; Mac OS 9 and higher
Processors: Pentium II and higher; Mac G3 and higher
RAM: 128 MB
Monitor Resolution: 800x600 and higher
DVD-ROM drive with 2x speed
Peripherals: Sound card, video card, speakers, DVD player software

Troubleshooting

These DVDs are playable as MPEG-2 files, therefore, you must have an MPEG-2 decoder, which is included in the recommended versions of Windows Media Player, Real Player, and MAC's DVD Player software. If you experience any trouble playing the DVDs:

It is possible that the computer is not equipped to play it. Please try to play it on a different computer that has MPEG-2 decoding capability.
You may want to allot more memory to virtual memory, or you may restart your computer to refresh the virtual memory. Consult your computer's manual on how to do this.
Please play all the DVDs to check their playability.
If you are using a MAC, try opening DVD Player software and then inserting the disk into your machine.
If these tips do not result in your ability to play the DVDs, please ask your bookstore to contact Hopkins Fulfillment Services at 1-800-537-5487 for information on how to acquire replacement DVDs.

Navigation Tips

To move through the DVD, single click on the highlighted buttons. Click the Menu button on the screen or the Menu button on your remote to end audios or videos and return to the main menu. Click the Return button to return to the top menu.
Though each screen contains a menu on the side, not all sections apply to each lesson. If the section is not clickable, for example the Signs section in early lessons of Alif Baa, then this section is not available in this lesson. This does not mean your DVD is defective.
To fast forward to a particular part of a video or audio passage, use the slider bar on the bottom of the player's window to scroll to it.
If you encounter difficulties when trying to play the DVD on your computer, you may want to allot more memory to virtual memory, or you may restart your computer to refresh the virtual memory. Consult your computer's manual on how to do this.
If you experience any trouble playing the DVD, it is possible that the computer is not equipped to play it. Please try to play it on a different computer.




Al-Kitaab Arabic Language Program FAQs REVISED 12/01/2006 In the fall of 2004, Georgetown University Press released new editions of Alif Baa: An Introduction to Letters and Sounds and Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Part One. In the spring of 2006, Georgetown University Press released a new edition of Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Arabic, Part Two. In the spring of 2007 Georgetown University Press will release a repackaged edition of Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya with DVD and MP3 CD: A Textbook for Arabic, Part Three. This FAQ was designed in part to help answer any questions you may have about these new editions as well as the rest of the program. What is the sequence of the Al-Kitaab Arabic language program? Where do students start and how long will it take them to complete each level? How are the 2nd editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two different from the 1st editions? When will the second editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two be available? How long will the first editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Part One, and Al-Kitaab Part Two remain available? Is there a second edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three? How long will the current edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three remain available? Are the audio and video components of the program sold separately or are they packaged with the textbook at each level? I have misplaced one of my DVDs. Can I purchase just the DVD I need? Do the first edition DVDs for Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One have the same material as the original — and now unavailable — videocassettes? What is included in the DVD and is it keyed to the text? Or does it stand alone as supplemental material? Is the DVD and CD material different for the 2nd editions? What is included in the audio CDs for the first editions? Is the answer key free with audio, video, and/or text? Is the answer key free with the new edition? Where I can purchase the answer key? Are DVDs and CDs available for purchase in foreign countries? What equipment do I need to play the DVDs? One of the DVDs/CDs in my book is defective. How can I get a replacement copy of the individual disc? Some of the menu items on my 2nd edition DVD are not clickable. Is my DVD defective? Technical Information System Requirements Troubleshooting Navigation Tips What is the sequence of the Al-Kitaab Arabic language program? Where do students start and how long will it take them to complete each level? The program is designed for college-level use over four years. The program begins with Alif Baa with DVDs: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds, which introduces the basic skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and cultural understanding and provides the first 20 to 25 contact hours of instruction. Students then proceed onto Al-Kitaab fii Ta^cAllum Al^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic: Part One. This volume covers approximately 130-150 contact hours of instruction in which students should achieve an intermediate-mid to intermediate-high level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The book provides vocabulary activities, introduces students to grammar using spiraling and inference, and exposes students to Egyptian Colloquial Arabic through a number of short video clips. The accompanying three DVDs present dialogs, vocabulary, and cultural situations for learning. Al-Kitaab fii Ta^cAllum Al^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Arabic: Part Two is the next volume in the series. Covering 150 contact hours of instruction, Part Two brings students to the advanced level of proficiency. Part Two stresses the various skills and introduces learners to various facets of Arab culture and Arab societies. The final volume in the program, Al-Kitaab fii Ta^cAllum Al^cArabiyya: A Textbook for Arabic: Part Three continues the same approach used in Part Two and aims to take students to the advanced-high level of proficiency. Part Three covers 125-150 contact hours of instruction. The original text and audio are now bound together in one volume along with new video material on DVD. How are the 2nd editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two different from the 1st editions? Changes to Alif Baa: Textbook has been revised and includes some new vocabulary, with the vocabulary distributed more evenly throughout the book DVDs contain most of the same basic dialogues in Egyptian Colloquial Arabic as in the first edition, but refilmed with a new cast. New video footage includes Arabic calligraphy and a large collection of street signs from Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon. Minor changes have been made throughout the audio portions of the second edition. Changes to Al Kitaab Part One: Textbook has been revised and updated, with a number of contemporary new readings replacing some of the materials in the first edition Basic video scenes depicting the Maha and Khalid story have been refilmed with a new cast. New to the DVD is the ability to hear the Maha and Khalid story in both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. The book also includes some new interviews (in Egyptian Arabic with English subtitles) about such aspects of Arab culture as gender issues, fasting in the Muslim and Christian traditions, social clubs, and more. In addition to the audio recordings from the first edition, new audio tracks for vocabulary sections allow students to hear each new word in isolation first, then in context along with previously acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures. More in-class group activities for vocabulary and grammar structures. Changes to Al Kitaab Part Two: Textbook has been restructured to reflect pedagogical developments resulting from eight years of teaching the materials. Includes 3 interactive DVDs that continue the story of Maha and Khalid with all new material. Gives explicit instructions to students and instructors on drills and activities, including recommendations on appropriate exercises for inside and outside class. More time and emphasis is placed on learning and activating new vocabulary, with new classroom activities and DVD features. Speaking, listening, and writing skills are emphasized throughout each lesson and cultural background is also available on the DVD. Some reading comprehension texts have been replaced with new material. New listening comprehension material has been added, and all of it is available on the DVDs. New colloquial material includes scenes from Maha's visit to Cairo and a mini-lesson at the end of each lesson. A major difference in all the new editions is that the audio and video that were previously only available as separate items are now combined, expanded, and bound into each textbook. This provides students with the multimedia necessary to use the program most effectively. See the end of this FAQ for system requirements for playing the DVDs. When will the second editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two be available? The second editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two are available now. Institutions and teachers placing their book orders now should indicate the new edition with DVDs: Alif Baa with DVDs: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-036-1) Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic: Part One, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-104-X) Al-Kitaab fii Ta ^callum al-^cArabiyya with DVDs: A Textbook for Arabic: Part Two, Second Edition (ISBN 1-58901-096-5) How long will the first editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Part One, and Al-Kitaab Part Two remain available? Georgetown University Press has already phased out all first editions of the textbooks, answer keys, and audio and video components for Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Part One and Part Two. Is there a second edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three? No, there is not a second (revised) edition of Part Three. However, a newly packaged Part Three will be released in April 2007. While the textbook material remains the same, audio files have been remastered as MP3 files on one CD and all new video material, which finishes the story of Maha and Khalid, will be included on DVD. The DVD contains only this video material and no additional exercises or audio material. Both the audio CD and the DVD will be bound in to the texbook. How long will the current edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three remain available? The current edition of Al-Kitaab Part Three (ISBN 0-87840-272-1) and the audio CDs meant to accompany it (ISBN 0-87840-875-4) will go out of print in April 2007. Since the newly repackaged A;-Kitaab Part Three will include original text with no page numbering changes and the same audio files as the current edition, both texts can be used in the same classroom. Are the audio and video components of the program sold separately or are they packaged with the textbook at each level? Starting with the 2nd editions of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One, Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two, and the newly repackaged Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Three, audio and video materials have been combined into DVDs that are bound into each book and sold as single volumes. Separate CDs accompanying the 1st edition of Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Two are still available for separate purchase until they are phased out by June 2007. Audio components for the current version of Al-Kitaab Textbook Part Three are only available as separate items and must be purchased separately from the corresponding texts. The current version of Part Three has no accompanying video material. I have misplaced one of my DVDs. Can I purchase just the DVD I need? For people who have misplaced, lost, or damaged their original DVD, replacement DVDs are available for sale on our website. The material on these DVDs is the same material that appears on the DVDs that come with the second edition textbooks of Alif Baa, Al-Kitaab Part One, Al-Kitaab Part Two, and the newly repackaged Al-Kitaab Part Three. There is no new material included on these DVDs. Do the first edition DVDs for Alif Baa and Al-Kitaab Textbook Part One have the same material as the original—and now unavailable—videocassettes? Yes. For the 1st editions, the material on each of these DVDs is identical to the original, and now unavailable, videocassettes. With the new 2nd editions, video materials have been refilmed, updated, changed, and new materials added. What is included in the DVD and is it keyed to the text? Or does it stand alone as supplemental material? The DVDs form an integral part of the textbooks and cannot be used separately. The DVDs cannot be used as supplemental materials. Likewise, the books cannot be used without the DVDs. The books and the DVDs form a unified whole that cannot be separated without affecting the quality of the overall program. All parts of the audio and video are keyed to the text. Is the DVD and CD material different for the 2nd editions? For the 2nd edition of Alif Baa, all audio and video have been combined onto 2 DVDs that are bound into the textbook. The basic dialogues have been refilmed with a new cast. The 2nd edition DVD also contains new exercises and new dialogues that take place in an Egyptian context; and cultural materials like video footage of Arabic calligraphy and a large collection of street signs from Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon. For the 2nd edition of Al-Kitaab Part One, all audio and video previously sold separately have been revised and expanded and are now combined in 3 DVDs and are bound into the textbook. The basic dialogues have been refilmed with a new cast. The basic video scenes depicting the Maha and Khalid story have been refilmed with a new cast. New to the DVD is the ability to hear the Maha and Khalid story in both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. It also includes some new interviews (in Egyptian Arabic with English subtitles) about such aspects of Arab culture as gender issues, fasting in the Muslim and Christian traditions, social clubs, and more. In addition to the audio recordings from the first edition, new audio tracks for vocabulary sections allow students to hear each new word in isolation first, then in context along with previously acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures. The new edition also features more in-class group activities for vocabulary and grammar structures. For the 2nd edition of Al-Kitaab Part Two, all audio (previously sold separately) and video (previously only available from Professor Al-Batal) have been revised and expanded and are now combined in 3 DVDs and are bound into the textbook. The integrated video material is totally new and continues the story of Maha and Khalid. For The repackaged version of Al-Kitaab Part Three, all audio (previously sold separately) has been remastered as MP3 files and is bound into the book. Also bound into the book is a DVD with all new video material that continues the story of Maha and Khalid. What is included in the audio CDs for the first editions? The audio components for each of the volumes are not just audio versions of the written text. The CDs contain dialogue that is keyed to parts of the text but also offer additional drills. Is the answer key free with audio, video, and/or text? No. We do not provide free answer keys with any program components. Is the answer key free with the new edition? No. We do not provide free answer keys with either first or second editions. Where I can purchase the answer key? Most bookstores do not carry answer keys. Answer keys can be ordered online for a nominal fee from Georgetown University Press at www.press.georgetown.edu/arabic.html or by contacting one of our distributors. Are DVDs and CDs available for purchase in foreign countries? If you are ordering from outside of the U.S. please visit our website to learn more about contacting our foreign distributors for ordering information. What equipment do I need to play the DVDs? The recommended program for playing the DVDs is Windows Media Player version 10 or higher (available for free at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads), or the latest version of RealPlayer (available for free at http://www.real.com/player). The recommended program for playing the DVDs on a MAC is DVD Player software, which comes standard with all MACs. For more information, see the Technical Information section below. The DVDs are not region-code specific, meaning that they are playable in any region worldwide. They are recommended for use on NTSC-format and computer DVD players. The DVDs may also play on PAL-format DVD players that are equipped to convert NTSC DVDs; however, a specific PAL-format DVD is not available. Because the DVDs for the second edition have a large amount of video and audio content, it is strongly advised to play them on newer computers with more memory and a higher speed processor. Please note that Georgetown University Press does not provide technical support for the CDs or DVDs that are part of the Al-Kitaab program. One of the DVDs/CDs in my book is defective. How can I get a replacement copy of the individual disc? Please check the system requirements below for troubleshooting tips. If these tips do not result in your ability to play the DVDs, please ask your bookstore to cntact Hopkins Fulfillment Services at 1-800-537-5487 for information on how to acquire replacement DVDs. Please note that Georgetown University Press does not provide technical person-to-person technical support for the CDs or DVDs that are part of the Al-Kitaab program. Some of the menu items on my 2nd edition DVD are not clickable. Is my DVD defective? No, the DVD is not defective. The sidebar items on the DVD are meant to outline the possible functions of the DVD. However, each unit is different. For example, some units may use "Signs" and the link to those exercises will be active; other units may not use "Signs" and the link will be inactive. Technical Information for the Al-Kitaab, 2nd ed., series Georgetown University Press does not provide person-to-person technical support for the DVDs that come with these books. Below is a list of system requirements and tips to guide you in using the DVDs. For optimum performance, use Windows XP (for PC) with Windows Media Player version 10 or higher or the newest version of RealPlayer to play the DVDs; or use MAC G3 or higher and play the DVDs with DVD Player software. If you are using an earlier version of Windows you may experience difficulties in playing these DVDs. Windows Media Player is available as a free download in formats for both Macs and PCs at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads. RealPlayer is available for free at http://www.real.com/player. DVD Player Software comes standard with MACs. Georgetown University Press recommends that the DVDs that are provided with this series be played on a computer, rather than a home DVD player, and that the computer has at least the following capabilities: System Requirements Operating Systems: Windows 9x/NT4/ME/2000/XP; Mac OS 9 and higher Processors: Pentium II and higher; Mac G3 and higher RAM: 128 MB Monitor Resolution: 800x600 and higher DVD-ROM drive with 2x speed Peripherals: Sound card, video card, speakers, DVD player software Troubleshooting These DVDs are playable as MPEG-2 files, therefore, you must have an MPEG-2 decoder, which is included in the recommended versions of Windows Media Player, Real Player, and MAC's DVD Player software. If you experience any trouble playing the DVDs: It is possible that the computer is not equipped to play it. Please try to play it on a different computer that has MPEG-2 decoding capability. You may want to allot more memory to virtual memory, or you may restart your computer to refresh the virtual memory. Consult your computer's manual on how to do this. Please play all the DVDs to check their playability. If you are using a MAC, try opening DVD Player software and then inserting the disk into your machine. If these tips do not result in your ability to play the DVDs, please ask your bookstore to contact Hopkins Fulfillment Services at 1-800-537-5487 for information on how to acquire replacement DVDs. Navigation Tips To move through the DVD, single click on the highlighted buttons. Click the Menu button on the screen or the Menu button on your remote to end audios or videos and return to the main menu. Click the Return button to return to the top menu. Though each screen contains a menu on the side, not all sections apply to each lesson. If the section is not clickable, for example the Signs section in early lessons of Alif Baa, then this section is not available in this lesson. This does not mean your DVD is defective. To fast forward to a particular part of a video or audio passage, use the slider bar on the bottom of the player's window to scroll to it. If you encounter difficulties when trying to play the DVD on your computer, you may want to allot more memory to virtual memory, or you may restart your computer to refresh the virtual memory. Consult your computer's manual on how to do this. If you experience any trouble playing the DVD, it is possible that the computer is not equipped to play it. Please try to play it on a different computer.