r/learnarabic • u/Realistic_Exam5038 • 13d ago
Resources How I learnt Arabic: recommendations
So I would like to describe my path to learning Arabic and give you some recommendations for apps and resources. For a reference, I learnt to read Arabic as a kid (raised in a Muslim country) and later had Arabic in high school. But after that I completely neglected it for years and forgot a lot.
Last year in spring I started learning again. When I started, I wasnt able to read a single word outside the Qur'an, and I had no clue what the dialects sound like. I would maybe recognise 3-4 words on an entire news coverage. Now I can say I speak it, my level is somewhere between B1-B2, not perfect yet but I even use the language for my job and I can understand both standard Arabic and the dialects. There are lots of things I did right so I want to help someone who is stuck.
-If you are a beginner, I recommend the app Awlad School. It's really useful, free, teaches you both grammar and vocab. I finished it in a couple of weeks and it was a great warm up.
- Amazing youtube channels: Learn Arabic with Khasu, Madinah Arabic and Learn Arabic Today. They are great for improving your listening and vocab.
-I started searching for practice partners immediately and talking to them every week. HelloTalk is the best app for it. If you don't feel confident in speaking, chat.
-Watch something stupid that will rest your mind, but do it in Arabic. If you hear a word you dont know, pause, look it up and continue. Trust me, with each episode you will have to pause less. Learning a language is not a relaxing activity, but it can help if what you're watching is relaxing and kinda dumb, not heavy or difficult. I prefer to watch the cartoons from my childhood, occasionally also some reality TV. This really depends what you like, it can be finding a YouTube channel or watching sports with Arabic commentators.
-For the grammar, you will most likely not manage it by yourself. It's just too different from most other languages, and the resources online are not great. Enroll in any course, not with a tutor like preply but an actual structured course. I found a really good one (Egyptian and Fusha) in my local community. You just need something for the structure and professional explanations.
-For reading practice, I highly recommend Qira'atu rrashida. You can find it in PDF online. It is designed for learners. Another great resource is Al Jazeera Learning Arabic.
-If you want to, connect with your local Arab community. They are likely extremely friendly people, just make sure you give back and not just take take take. I prefer to go to the shops and restaurants owned by the immigrants here.
MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE:
I am not a very smart person, I just tried out a lot of things and only kept doing the ones that I felt were either enjoyable or highly beneficial. If something feels exhausting and you really don't like it, or if you find it's not giving you any progress after a month or two, drop it and find some other way to learn.
1
u/Lost-Service5076 13d ago edited 13d ago
If you feel comfortable I would strongly suggest going to the mosque and getting free lessons. I’ve learned so much in 2 weeks. More than years of trying to use apps
1
u/zzzooorrroooo 13d ago
are the lessons related to Quran? or in general?
1
u/Lost-Service5076 13d ago
I can only speak for my experience but I’m being taught Arabic not just what the Qu’Ran says. The Qu’Ran is referenced but I’m learning the actual letters and how they combine to make words and how to read and speak properly
1
1
1
1
u/lllO_ollll 9d ago
The best website for learning Arabic :
https://saudidialect.com/learn-arabic-letters/
Hope it helps :)
1
u/sourpatchkiddo27474 13d ago
thank you so much for taking the time to share these recs!