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Learn the Arabic Language
As with learning any language, to learn the Arabic language requires a certain amount of commitment - in terms of time, patience and a good amount of enthusiasm. Aside from basic lessons, whether online or in a classroom, practice is the key ingredient to success.
Before you begin, it is important that you decide what kind of Arabic you want to learn. You can choose from standard or classical Arabic, or a variety of different dialects depending on location. If you are unsure or do not have any attraction to a specific Arabic nation, your best bet would be to learn Modern Standard Arabic or MSA. Although this classical or standard version may sound rather formal to native speakers, it can give you a good foundation in grasping the Arabic language, and it is also useful in the sense that it is what is used throughout the Arab world in media and politics.
Dialects of the Arabic Language
Once you are more familiar with the classical or standard version of the Arabic language, you may then want to hone your skills by concentrating on one of the dialects, to get more of a colloquial slant when speaking. Of these, Egyptian and Levantine, are the most broadly known, as they are also used in Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Syria. Other dialects may be of less use, such as informal Moroccan, which is not used much beyond the Maghreb. For those who learn the Arabic language for the purpose of studying Islam and the Koran, there are specific courses in Qur'anic Arabic, which may be taken simultaneously with a course of the standard version.
Listed below are 4 ways to learn Arabic and if you apply yourself to one or more of these methods you will be speaking, writing and thinking the Arabic language in no time.
1. Take Arabic Language Lessons
Sign up for a proper class at your local university, an adult education centre or at a language school. If the thought of returning to a classroom setting seems daunting or unsuitable for your schedule, check out the many places online or invest in some tapes or videos.
2. Listen to the Arabic Language
Listening to the Arabic language as much as you can is of utmost importance if you want to get your accent right. Listen to audio language tapes and Arabic music and radio while driving, and stop at the Arabic cable channel and listen awhile.
3. Watch Arabic Movies and Television
If you've ever been to the Middle East or watched an Arabic film, you'll discover that the Arabic language is not merely about the spoken word, but involves a varying amount of gestures, physical movement and facial expressions. And a very good way to learn Arabic when watching a Arabic movie on TV is to cover the sub-titles with masking tape.
4. Think in the Arabic Language
Try and "think Arabic" as you go about your day, translate the thoughts in your head, count things in Arabic, write your memo list in Arabic, but try not to annoy the non-Arabic language speakers in your household too much.
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