Tips on how to learn Arabic

Setting out to learn Arabic may evoke memories of past attempts at learning a foreign language, be it in high school or college, with all the ensuing tedious memorization of words, and phrases, and grammar rules. This coupled with the notion that Arabic is a very difficult language won't do you any good in your progress with this beginners' course. For many, it appears that the results of studying a foreign language are not worth all the effort, and they soon abandon their dream of becoming more proficient.

It is very important to know how to go about studying a language, especially one that is quite different from English (or any other European language, for that matter), such as Arabic. Every student has a different way of learning just as different proffesors have different ways of teaching. Nevertheless, there are a few rules of thumb one has to keep in mind:

Create a routine. Spend some time on the web at a set hour of the day (lunchtime, for instance), and try to do one of the language activities at GulfArabic.com

Set yourself a long-term goal, and also a short-term goal. If you have Arab friends, then a short-term goal would be to think of exchanging a few Arabic phrases the next time you meet them, that is, speak Arabic to them. The long-term goal might be to learn the whole study material included in this Spoken Gulf Arabic course and visit one of the Gulf countries (if you're not already there). Without strong, well-defined goal, you will hardly have much motivation to study day in, day out.

You shouldn't worry too much about making mistakes. The ones who never make mistakes, never try to do anything, and that in itself is quite a mistake. It's normal to make mistakes while you are practising your growing knowledge of the language. Have in mind that most Arabs will be very pleased with your attempts to speak their language, and you will get a bit closer to them, perhaps more so than other foreigners who do not try to learn at least a few phrases.

It is of utmost importance to read about the Arab people, the Arab culture and history. The more you get to know the culture, the more your interest will be aroused, and the more motivation you will have to proceed with the Gulf Arabic course.

It is better to study for brief periods of time and more frequently than long and not often. Persistence pays off.

Studying lists of words and phrases is usually not the most favourite language activity. However, there is no learn ing without memorization. You have to learn those phrases by heart. There is a wonderful method you can employ in order to facilitate the memorization process. For every new spoken Arabic phrase that you want to learn think of a ridiculous image that would make you recall the phrases. The trick is to always think of funny images. Emotions will help you more than pure logic when it comes to learn ing words and phrases.

Practice mentally. Think of the Arabic words and phrases for naming common objects you encounter in your daily life. When you're walking on the street, for instance, think "sayyaara" when you see a car, "fundug" when you see a hotel, "naas" for people, "rayyaal" for a man, "Hurma" for a woman, etc. etc. Just put the words and phrases you're studying to mental practice, even if you are not in an Arabic-speaking environment; this will enormously help you to learn faster.

Listen to the bits of recordings in the colloquial Arabic lessons looking at their English translations, and try to imitate them as closely as possible. Do this as many times as you have to until you are fully confident. You might find it hard at first but it pays off when you get to speak Arabic. Everybody is a child in the beginning.