Learning Arabic as an English speaker can be an engaging adventure rather than a daunting task. Set clear goals and immerse yourself in the language through daily practice, mobile apps, and conversations with native speakers. Embrace the challenges of new sounds and dialects while keeping motivation high by exploring Arabic culture and media.
Many people need to know how to learn Arabic as an English speaker since The Arabic Language has a unique position among all languages. Allah chose this language for his last book the Holy Quran. The holy Quran has unparalleled linguistic beauty and eloquence. This is an important aspect of its miracle. You can only realize this by learning the Arabic language.
Learning the Arabic language is very beneficial. The most significant benefit of knowing the Arabic language is that the Arabic language can help you understand the Quran and the Sunnah.
In this topic, You will learn easy methods to learn Arabic as an English speaker and how to convert learning the Arabic language into a fun mission.
Is it Possible to Learn Arabic as an English Speaker?
Absolutely! Picture yourself at the foot of a large mountain, looking up at a winding path that leads to its peak. It might seem overwhelming at first but each step will bring you closer to your goal while opening up new vistas along the way.
This journey may seem difficult because there is no easy road and many words are very difficult for beginners who start learning Arabic.
However, it is extremely fun and very easy when you have the right learning approach in conjunction with a competent tutor. Success stories of several English speakers who have learned Arabic may provide useful insights and encouragement.
If approached properly, provided with good resources, determination and an able teacher, Arabic can be mastered.
How to Learn Arabic as an English Speaker?
To learn Arabic as an English speaker, you should immerse yourself in this language and enjoy your learning journey. You can convert your Arabic learning journey into an interesting journey. You need only to take these seven steps and you will feel that the Arabic language is very easy.
1. Take the right course according to your goals:
Identifying your goal from learning Arabic can help you to choose the dialect and the plan that you need to follow to get the best results. Many online courses are illustrated in English that align with your goals. For example, you can start with our Arabic online course.
2. Find a learning partner whose second language is English:
Finding a learning partner will help you immerse yourself in the Arabic language. Especially, if you find a native Arabic speaker, whose second language is English, to practice speaking with him daily. This can help you improve your conversational skills.
3. Determine a specific time for your learning:
You need to make a timetable and study every day. You need to start with the Alphabet and word formation. After this, you need to increase your vocabulary and study grammar to know how to form true sentences to help you learn Arabic as an English speaker.
4. Download mobile applications to practice:
Many mobile applications in English can help you spend time learning the Arabic language. You can dedicate daily time to them. They provide a sense of enjoyment.
5. Keep your motivation:
You need to remember your goals to stay motivated. You can also track your progress. Seek evaluation to improve your weak points.
6. Keep an eye on the Arab traditions:
If you know the Arabic culture and immerse yourself in Arab habits, you will find learning Arabic easier as an English speaker.
The Similarities Between English & Arabic
Surprisingly, there are some very interesting similarities between English and Arabic that could make your journey in acquiring knowledge in this new language more exciting. Have you ever imagined yourself sitting at a cozy café with a hot cup of coffee?
You may not know that the word “coffee” relates to both English and Arabic languages through its historical origin. The term “qahwa” (قهوة) is used in the original Arab language but has been changed to coffee by the English people.
How many times do you think people use this word every day all over the world without suspecting an existing linguistic bridge?
Now let us talk about something sweeter, shall we? The name for sugar in English goes back to the original Arab term “sukar” (سكر).
This may transport you back to the era when the middle age trade conducted the Arab world to Europe bringing with them items such as sugar
Each time you add a spoon of sugar to your tea or coffee, you are directly involved in historic speech and cultural activities.
Next is the world of numbers and math, and here you can also remember Arab scientists and scholars. This name derives from the Arabic word al-jabr, which translates into ‘restoring broken parts,’ or ‘repairing’.
These examples prove that the English and Arabic languages have a great number of links. This is quite encouraging for those learning the two languages as there is flow from one to the other across history.
Challenges an English Speaker Face When Learning Arabic:
Indeed it is possible to learn Arabic as an English speaker, but you will face many challenges during your Arabic learning journey. These challenges may be specific to the Arabic language or general challenges that face anyone trying to learn a new language. Despite all the challenges, you can learn the Arabic language. You can overcome all these challenges.
1. Completely new letters and words:
The Arabic language has a distinctive Alphabet that differs from any language of the Latin root. There are no common words between Arabic and English. This means you had to learn every single word in Arabic.
2. Highly inflectional language:
Every verb in the Arabic Language has 10 forms. The learner should also understand the difference between the active and the passive form.
3. Presence of Multiple Dialects:
Many countries speak the Arabic language. This results in many regional dialects. The different Dialects can cause disorientation during communication.
4. Existence of unique sounds:
There are unique sounds in the Arabic language such as the letters ع, خ,ص, ض, ط, ظ. These sounds are not found in English.
5. Different sentence structure and grammar:
The arrangement of the sentence in Arabic differs greatly from English. Unlike in English, we write from right to left. In the Arabic language, there are two types of sentences: Nominal and Verbal sentences, while in English there is only one type of sentence which is the nominal sentence.
1. Loss of interest during learning:
The learning journey is too long. You need to stay motivated by identifying your goals from learning this language and remembering.
2. Need regular practice:
You need to practice repeating the information that you learned as languages usually require incremental learning. You should find a way to ensure regular practice.
3. Balancing Skill Development:
You should develop all language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) in an organized manner. You need to distribute your efforts in all these skills to achieve better results.
How to Learn the Arabic Language in English?
As an English speaker, you can use many methods to facilitate learning Arabic. Some methods can relate English to Arabic. Here are some examples of these methods:
1. Using the Arabic English Dictionary:
When you use an Arabic English dictionary, you will increase your vocabulary. Some dictionaries give examples to help you comprehend the word. This can facilitate memorization.
2. Learning through translated material:
Learning through translated material can help you as when you know the meaning of a word in context, you can remember it easily. You can see the difference between the Arabic sentence
and English sentence structure. You can find translated material in our Online Quranic Arabic Course
3. Using online Arabic resources then translate them to English:
There are many Arabic books online. You can download them and then try reading even one page daily and translate them. This can help you practice reading and increase your vocabulary.
4. Listening to online Arabic media with English subtitles:
You can also find Arabic media such as films or podcasts that provide English subtitles and then try to understand the Arabic dialects. This can improve your listening skills greatly. After a short period, you will gain a better understanding of different accents and regional variations.
How Long Does It Take for an English Speaker to Learn Arabic?
The time needed to learn Arabic is affected by several factors such as your skills in learning the language, your motivation to finish lessons daily, your studying plan, consistency and intensity, and the methods used to learn the Arabic language.
The U.S. Foreign Service Institute stated that the Arabic language is one of Language Group V which are extremely challenging languages for native English speakers. They estimated the time required for learning Arabic to be around 88 Weeks (2,200 Hours).
Is Arabic Hard to Learn for English Speakers?
Arabic may be hard to learn for English speakers, but the Arabic language is very beautiful, and even if you see some hardship, you will enjoy Arabic’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. You will find some hardness in unfamiliar script, grammar, numerous Arabic dialects, and the new phonetics that you can not pronounce initially. Everything will be under control after practice. Many experts recommend professional courses such as Shaykhi Academy’s Fusha Arabic classes to overcome any difficulties while learning the Arabic language.
Is Arabic Fun to Learn in English?
Arabic can be fun to learn in English. If you feel bored, Turn your Arabic study into fun by changing the method of learning. I will give you some funny methods to make Arabic fun to learn in English.
1. Using storytelling technique:
You can try to tell a story in Arabic instead of telling it in English. This can add a sense of interest and fun to your study. This can increase your vocabulary without effort.
2. Enjoy the beautiful aspects of the Arabic language:
The Arabic language is characterized by its elegance and artistic potential. You can enjoy this aspect and try to translate poetries into English. You will see one of the most beautiful aspects of the Arabic language which is how the words are formed.
3. Immerse yourself in the Arabic community:
You can enjoy speaking with Arabic people as this will help you to think in Arabic in the same way you think in English.
Learn The Arabic Language With Shaykhi Academy Course Online
Enjoy learning Arabic with our Arabic online course. We help you to start your first step in Arabic learning and learn gradually with professional native teachers. You will immerse yourself in the Arabic language in the best way.
We can help you to master the Arabic language regardless of your age or your learning level. We can put together a plan that aligns with you to promote your success.
You can do this from your home without any suffering. You can save your time and effort and get the best results as well.
Why Shaykhi Academy?
- Expert Native Tutors: Learn from highly qualified native Arabic speakers.
- Flexible Scheduling: Tailor your classes to fit your busy life.
- Affordable Learning: Access top-quality education at a price that suits you.
- Global Access: Study from anywhere in the world.
Explore Our Arabic Courses:
- Noorani Qaida: Build a strong foundation in Quranic Arabic.
- Comprehensive Arabic Courses: Master the Arabic language, from beginner to advanced levels.
- Fusha Arabic Classes: Delve into Modern Standard Arabic, the key to understanding literature, media, and formal communication across the Arab world.
- Quranic Arabic Course: Enhance your connection with the Quran by learning the language in which it was revealed.
Start Your Arabic Journey Today! Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your knowledge, Shaykhi Academy is here to support your journey. Book your free trial now and begin your path to Arabic mastery!
Conclusion:
You want to start learning Arabic but still fear the hard obstacles such as the great difference between this language and your mother tongue. This difference can cause many challenges such as a completely new alphabet, unfamiliar letter sounds, and highly inflectional language.
You can relieve yourself by following some easy steps including enrollment in an Arabic course, making a plan for your studying, and immersing yourself in an Arabic community. That is not all; you can make your learning an interesting journey by using some funny methods, such as storytelling techniques, trying daily conversation in Arabic, and some Arabic online media to enjoy the beauty of the language.
