By Nicole Langton
To become truly fluent in Arabic, it helps to live with Arabic speakers. If you want to learn one of the colloquial dialects, living with those who speak the dialect is essential. There are more than a dozen Arabic-speaking countries and others with large Arab populations, so you have a wide selection of places to learn the language. Find out how to learn Arabic abroad by choosing an effective language course in the right location and making the most of your time there.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You'll Need:
- List of Arabic language courses
Arabic alphabet study guide
Bilingual Arabic dictionary
- List of Arabic language courses
- Arabic alphabet study guide
- Bilingual Arabic dictionary
Step 1
Decide on a location. Most language courses teach Modern Standard Arabic, but you can learn the local dialect through social interaction. Arabic speakers disagree on which dialect is closest to Modern Standard Arabic, but all dialects differ in some way. Most Arabic speakers can understand Levantine and Maghrebi (Egyptian) Arabic. To learn a dialect that's widely understood, choose one of these countries.
Step 2
Choose a language course. If you're a college student, check if your college provides a study abroad option in an Arabic-speaking country. Otherwise, look into options with educational tour companies as well as local private language schools and universities abroad. When assessing each course, note the language and instruction, pace or the course and what housing options are available.
Step 3
Give yourself a head start. For North Americans and Europeans, Arabic culture can take time to get used to. You may not be able to study well during the adjustment period. To ensure that you don't fall behind in your language course, learn the basics before you arrive. Learn as much of the Arabic alphabet as possible. Listen to audio lessons to familiarize yourself with sounds that don't exist in English, such as hard and soft varieties of consonants. Arabic has few cognates with English, so learn some basic vocabulary, too.
Step 4
Immerse yourself in the language once you arrive. Most print and broadcast material is in Standard Arabic, so talking with locals is vital for learning the local dialect. Avoid the temptation to rely on English in Dubai or French in Beruit. Go out on your own and try to speak only Arabic. Visit souks to buy gifts for family back home. Go to restaurants and sample local Arabic specialties such as kushari or mujaddara.
Step 5
Take good notes. For English speakers, it can take several months to learn Arabic grammar well enough to converse comfortably. Become conversant more quickly by taking notes on useful phrases you hear. You only need to know what the phrase means, not how the grammar works. These phrases will help you express yourself more accurately. They also serve as real-life examples of Arabic grammar. Until you can write Arabic quickly, jot phrases down in Latin letters and write them in Arabic later. Check with your teacher for the Standard Arabic version.
Resources
About the Author:
Nicole Langton has been a professional writer for over 10 years. She began writing for a natural health company where she developed a deep interest in nutrition and natural treatments. Langton earned a Bachelor of Arts in east central European studies as well as a certificate in English language to teach to adults.
