How To Start Learning Arabic: Step by Step

February 03, 2024

For English speakers, starting to know how to start learning Arabic has never been easier. Currently, there are websites, apps, and programs that offer Arabic language teaching that start from scratch. But which ones are truly worthy of choosing? Around 200 million people use Arabic as their first language globally. It is also recognized as the official language of 22 Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. There are several ways to study Arabic, therefore each person has a different learning curve that requires time, patience, and determination.

How to start learning Arabic

Let's take a deeper look into Arabic before diving right into phrases, vocabulary, and other language-related issues. The more background and culture you are familiar with, the more you will understand about the ideal approach to start learning Arabic. The Arabic language is a member of the biggest language family in northern Africa, the Afro-Asiatic language group. There are thirty dialects in the macro language Arabic.

Nonetheless, there are two widely acknowledged variations of it. The formal, literal Arabic that is taught in schools and colleges is known as classical Arabic. Primarily, Classical Arabic is a language used by Muslims for religious purposes, and the Quran, also known as the Qur'an, is the holy book of Islam. The language that unites the Arab world is Modern Standard Arabic. It appears often in contemporary literature and the media. Even so, you won't come across someone who speaks pure MSA because it is made up of dialects from the major Arabic-speaking regions of North Africa, Syria, Egypt, and Iraq. Which therefore ought you to learn? It all depends on your goals for learning Arabic and the nations you intend to visit or reside in. Seek advice from professionals if you're having trouble deciding. For example, eArabic.io offers one-on-one tutoring in Arabic by native speakers from all around the world. This indicates that you'll locate an instructor with expertise in the dialect you're seeking. Through video chat, you will be able to learn online from anywhere in the globe. Discover how to start learning Arabic and how flexible language learning can be by finding your teacher.

How much time does Arabic learning take?

The amount of time it takes to learn a language is not standardized. However, if you'd like, we may provide you with a ballpark figure. The US Foreign Service Institute (FSI) calculated how long it takes for native English speakers to learn Arabic. They say it takes 2200 hours, or 88 weeks, to become fluent in Arabic. However, don't take this too seriously. This scale accounts for the language's difficulty with English. However, it is unaware of your passion, drive, or preferred technique of language acquisition. These all have an impact on how long learning Arabic will take you. And it will undoubtedly take you less time to become fluent in Arabic with these pointers.

5 Tips for quickly learning the Arabic language

Here are some fantastic methods for knowing how to start learning Arabic and experiencing Arabic culture no matter where you are.

Watch Arabic films and series

Among the best methods to learn a language is to watch TV series and movies. Why? mainly because they provide you with instances of real talk. They also provide you with the chance to practice grammar and pronunciation, as well as learn Arabic phrases.

Listen to Arabic music

Another effective method for learning languages is music. A plethora of research indicates that language learners who listen to music outperform those who do not.

Have a conversation with friends

This is most likely the simplest method to begin going. Simply have a conversation in your target language with someone. Pose queries, offer feedback, talk about subjects, etc.

Sign up for Arabic courses with eArabic.io

Taking classes is one of the finest methods to learn Arabic! Both professors and other students can be reached. You can also pick up knowledge from native speakers.

Interact with a group

Joining online groups is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals. Together, you may provide one other with support and exchange ideas, advice, and strategies.

Is learning Arabic difficult?

When it comes to languages that are the hardest to learn and how to start learning Arabic, Arabic frequently tops the list. However, is it so difficult for language learners, or is it just a stereotype? Here are a few popular misconceptions debunked so you may start studying Arabic with more assurance.

Difficult pronunciation

You are undoubtedly aware of several peculiarities in Arabic pronunciation as a language student. However, only two or three Arabic sounds are foreign to non-Arabs. Since all words in Arabic are spelled exactly how they sound, once you master them, you may go rapidly on to learning the remainder of the phonetics.

Verbs that are hard to conjugate

Arabic contains fewer irregular verbs than English. There is indeed a class of irregular verbs known as "weak." However, they are a tiny group that adheres to a set schedule. Arabic verbs are typically conjugated into several tenses depending on the verb's performer, tense, and mood. The verb conjugation is made considerably simpler by internet tools.

Word order is important to comprehension

Arabic is classified as a minority language (7%), according to the World Atlas of Language Structures, with a Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) word order. However, because of its flexibility, you may simply turn it SVO, much like English, without losing the sentence's sense.

Arabic has a very large vocabulary

Arabic is similar to building blocks. With a common root at their core, most words are constructed. It usually consists of a few consonants; if you surround this root with other sounds, the result will be a new word.

Ready to start your language journey? Learn Arabic online on eArabic, where you can have much practice with native Arabic tutors. You’ll get a personalized study plan based on your level and study goals. To get started, choose a preferred tutor and schedule your trial lesson at a time that suits you the most. Don’t miss a free trial offer!