How to learn Arabic

MAKE THE TIME:

To master any skill, time, effort and consistency are indispensable ingredients in the formula of success. No one area of the Arabic language is particularly complicated, but the sheer number of words and grammar rules means that you must regularly put in a reasonable amount of time to get to grips with all of them.

PRACTICE:

The best way to learn anything is by doing. It is important that regularly apply the vocabulary and grammar you learn to embed it in your mind. If you are not practicing a language on a near daily basis, it becomes an uphill battle to progress and improve your proficiency.

Be prepared to fail:

As you will be covering concepts for the very first time, it is inevitable that you will get things wrong. Do not get frustrated, failure is an inevitable part of the journey to success. The key is to always try to understand where you’ve gone wrong so that you do not make the same mistake next time.

WRITE:

The average English speaking adult knows more than 20,000 words. Such a vast vocabulary is built up over many years. To become fluent in the Arabic language a similar number of words will need to be absorbed.

This is the most difficult aspect of learning any new language, and Arabic is no exception. To ensure that you commit new vocabulary to memory as quickly and efficiently as possible, it is strongly advised that you write out each new word you come across in Arabic until you are able to write it out from memory.

This will not only ensure that you will have committed these new words to your short-term memory, but will significantly reduce the risk of you forgetting the words as time goes by.

Writing out the words will also make sure that you are able to correctly pronounce the words when speaking in Arabic.

SPEAK:

Applying the Arabic you learn by conversating with a native speaker is a crucial learning tool that will improve your Arabic in ways that no book or classroom course  ever could. 

Speaking with a native speaker means that you will have someone to check and correct any mistakes you make.

Overcoming any fear of embarrassment is really important to ensure that you are comfortable not only speaking in Arabic, but also receiving the inevitable feedback on your pronunciation and grammar.

DON’T GIVE UP:

Success is the result of many failures. Do not be put off by the adversity that comes in learning a language as rich as Arabic. Our Prophet (SAW) persevered for more than a decade preaching the message of Islam before it eventually spread throughout Arabia and the entire world. Keep practicing, keep trying, success is just around the corner!