Learn Arabic for beginners

Arabic is written in the Arabic script. You learn to read it alongside speaking; you do not have to master it first.

Arabic has sounds English does not use, produced at the back of the throat. Listening and then saying words out loud trains your mouth for them, and reading alone cannot.

• مرحبا: hello
• شكرا: thank you
• أين الفندق؟: where is the hotel

1. 1

   Listen first

   Hear the Arabic sentence before you try it so your ear knows the target.

2. 2

   Say it out loud

   Say the sentence three times. Slow first, then natural speed.

3. 3

   Build it

   Rebuild the sentence from its words so the word order sticks.

4. 4

   Repeat tomorrow

   Start the next session with yesterday's sentences.

• Only reading and tapping, and never saying anything aloud.
• Memorising word lists with no sentences around them.
• Waiting until you feel ready to speak. You get ready by speaking.
• Studying for two hours once a week instead of fifteen minutes daily.
• Expecting fast results. Arabic takes about 2,200 hours to reach working proficiency, but basic spoken Arabic comes much sooner.