Arabic Start Guide – Learn Arabic Faster and More Efficiently

 

Are you a beginner Arabic learner who is overwhelmed by how rich this language is and you don’t know where to start? This article is going to help you organize your thoughts to make the best out of your learning process. Here are some tips to get you started with this beautiful language.

1. Determine The Goal From Studying Arabic

Knowing why you are studying Arabic will help you choose the right Arabic for you, whether it’s a dialect or Modern Standard Arabic or even both. Once you determine that, you will know which areas to focus on in the language.

2. Make A Study Plan

Create a study plan, practice daily even a little, and determine how many hours are required to study weekly. A couple of hours dedicated to study Arabic at the same time every day will become a habit.

3. Start With Letters

Practice letters pronunciation; know how to write each letter in the beginning, in the middle, in the end, and then study vocalization with all letters.

4. Start With Simple Expressions

Train on some of the simple expressions, like the sentence ” this is a book” هذا كتاب, then convert it into a question “Is this a book?” هل هذا كتاب؟

5. Learn Common Words

Knowing and memorizing most common used words that are easy to learn will lift your spirit, especially when you use them repetitively with natives. Write their meanings on small cards and look at them in your leisure time.

6. Study Grammar Rules

Some learners ignore grammar rules the thing that slows down their learning process. However in Arabic it’s important to give time to studying grammar theoretically and practically through some exercises like:

• Replacing training: is the simplest way to train on the grammatical structure: repeat the sentence many times, and then replace one of the words with another one, which has the same function in the sentence. It will make you make some changes in the sentences to have the right grammatical structure.
• Conversion training: it is converting the affirmative sentence into the negative one, or converting phrases into questions, and the singular into dual or plural and so on.
• Sentence widening training: adding adjectives or adverbs or any other words, linking the sentences, like “this is a bag” هذه حقيبة and another sentence” the bag is new” الحقيبة جديدة then linking these sentences to be “this bag is new”.هذه الحقيبة جديدة

7. Listen to Arabic Programs and Movies

If you are learning Modern Standard Arabic, then watching the news and documentary films are a great option for you. Listen carefully and pay attention to the grammatical structure and search for the meaning of new words. Make a list of the words that you have heard and take a look at it every once and a while.

8. Immerse Yourself In An Arabic Rich Environment

Surround yourself with Arabic. Put yourself in an Arabic speaking environment where you can learn continuously. The best way to learn is through speaking. You will find words easier to remember if you try to remember an example sentence using that word rather the word on its own.

9. Know More About Your Learning Style

Figure out how you learn. It can be by memorizing, reading, speaking, summarizing or other methods.

10. Learn Words’ Roots

Arabic words are generally based on roots, and then prefixes suffixes and vowels are added to give the word the desired meaning. Words’ roots will help you guess the meaning of the words.

11. Think In Arabic

Don’t translate into Arabic from your own language. Think in Arabic to improve your fluency. Talk to yourself.

12. Create An Arabic Journal

Keep an Arabic diary or journal. Start by writing few sentences a day and then get into the habit of writing more.

13. Improve Your Writing

To become a better writer, brainstorm as many ideas and put thoughts onto paper without worrying about grammar or spelling. Then think about the structure. After that, write your sentences using good grammar and spelling. Finally, read it.

14. Think Before You Speak

You want to talk quickly and show off what you have learned. Slow down, gather your thoughts. Take a second to think about what you’re going to say. You know the grammar, but maybe you don’t use it correctly when you speak.

15. Take An Arabic Course In Arabic Speaking Country

If you are taking an Arabic course abroad, mix with people from other countries not only people from your own country. It’s not a good idea for you to live in a shared house with people from your own country. Enjoy a more cultural experience by spending time with natives. Make Arab friends and stay in touch with them so you keep practicing Arabic.

Conclusion

Most Importantly, Be Patient. Don’t be in such a hurry to move on to the next level. Love Arabic, and words will find their way to you.