Arabic is a fascinating and complex language spoken in over 20 countries that opens the doors to a rich culture. Learning Arabic is recommended for anyone who wants to know more about the second biggest religion in the world – Islam – as knowing Arabic means it’s possible to read the Quran in its original form. Plus, Arabic speakers are in high demand in the job market, and not many people are learning it. So, speaking Arabic as a second language not only gives you an edge when looking for work, but you’ll even get better-paying jobs. And if you’re thinking of visiting an Arabic-speaking country soon, learning it first will be worth your effort. Arabs are known for their hospitality, but they go the extra mile for tourists who have taken the time to learn the language.
Why Learn Arabic With Language Learning Software
There are some languages that you can study by yourself with no help whatsoever. For example, Portuguese people have an easy time learning Spanish because both languages are very similar. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case for Arabic. As a Semitic language, Arabic is almost impossible for Western students to learn without any assistance or prior knowledge. By offering meticulously detailed Arabic courses, language learning software is a big help.
These apps let you learn Arabic at your own pace as you’re able to repeat exercises whenever you want, and some even offer intuitive reports that tell you what needs to be reviewed. With language learning software, you can also get reminders of your daily exercises via email and learn pronunciation through speech recognition software. Plus, you can focus on your specific language learning goal. For example, if you just want to master spoken Arabic, it makes more sense to go for a solution that centers its exercises around pronunciation and handling common conversations. Finally, several language learning platforms provide official certificates once you’ve completed their Arabic course – essential when looking for a job.
Recommended Language Learning Apps for Arabic
Rosetta Stone
Launched in 1992, Rosetta Stone is the mother of all language learning apps. It offers a well-rounded Arabic curriculum that covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking exercises. The software takes an immersive approach by writing all course instructions in Arabic to help speed up the learning process. Don’t worry, though. Rosetta Stone is so intuitive that you won’t have any problems understanding the exercises. The language learning app teaches through repetition, which helps you make solid progress and boosts your confidence. The best part is that Rosetta Stone takes advantage of speech recognition software to evaluate your pronunciation. And although the software doesn’t include cultural context, it offers various extra resources, such as interactive games, live chat, audio lessons, and more. You can test Rosetta Stone for three days at zero cost with the company’s free trial.
Mondly
Mondly is one of the most innovative language learning apps on the market. The software uses spaced repetition, but it focuses on complete sentences instead of vocabulary. This might be a bit more challenging, but it helps you understand how to create phrases on your own faster. The Arabic course is divided into sections that teach you how to handle everyday situations, such as booking a hotel or asking for directions. Because of this, Mondly is the perfect option for anyone traveling to an Arabic-speaking country who needs to quickly master the basics. Mondly also boasts innovative AR (augmented reality) and VR capabilities. These separate interactive mobile apps allow you to learn Arabic while speaking with an AI in different virtual worlds. You can get a taste of Mondly with its limited, free-forever plan.
Busuu
Like many language learning apps, Busuu teaches vocabulary through flashcards. However, unlike its competitors, Busuu goes a step further by integrating other types of exercises, such as dialogues and quizzes. The software offers a well-rounded Arabic course that covers both writing and speaking exercises, with the neat extra of providing cultural trivia throughout the course. The Arabic curriculum goes up to B2 level. While this isn’t going to give you total fluency, it’s more than enough to help you know your way around Arabic – something you can prove with its official certificates. Busuu is also ideal for students who want to learn several languages simultaneously, as one subscription grants access to all the languages available. Additionally, you can get a limited version of all courses through Busuu’s free plan.
The Challenges of Learning Arabic
Arabic is considered one of the most challenging languages to learn – especially for native English speakers. It all starts with the Arabic alphabet and its cursive script. You’ll have to learn how to write 28 letters and their four different forms, as the characters change depending on whether they’re standing alone or at the beginning, middle, or end of a word. Vocabulary is also tricky because Arabic is part of the Semitic family, meaning that there are only a few English cognates.
Written and spoken Arabic are completely different too, and there isn’t a universal agreement on how to translate Arabic into English. This will make it even more challenging to learn the correct pronunciation. And let’s not forget that Arabs omit short vowels when writing, making it hard to understand what is written when you don’t have a good understanding of Arabic vocabulary. Additionally, most Arabic courses teach Modern Standard Arabic and, although natives will understand what you’re saying, no one actually uses this version of Arabic. Instead, each country has its own dialect. So, it’s advisable to learn the specific regional version of Arabic that you’re interested in.
Best Ways To Learn Arabic Online
To maximize your learning efforts, you should mix your Arabic exercises with some extra resources. The best way to learn a new language is through immersion, and you can only do that if you surround yourself with Arabic content. The easiest way to achieve this is by watching Arabic movies and TV shows or listening to Arabic music. Of course, what you choose will ultimately depend on the country you want to visit. For example, if you’re going to travel to Egypt, watching Jordanian Netflix shows isn’t going to help you. Reading Arabic books is also a great way to learn new vocabulary. And if you enjoy stories like Aladdin, we highly recommend reading One Thousand and One Nights in its original form.