It is not easy to learn a new language, especially if you are aiming to learn a difficult language such as Arabic. As a foreign language student, learning Arabic means that you will have to deal with a new non-Latin alphabet and learn different grammar and new words. This can make it even harder for you to learn Arabic.
However, those who want to learn Arabic faster and more effectively can use some tricks and hacks for studying Arabic that can make the process a little bit easier.
Learn Top Hacks for Studying Arabic
Do not get us wrong, it is not possible to learn Arabic in a blink of an eye, but you can speed up the learning process with the right techniques. If this is what you are looking for, then we can provide you with some Arabic learning hacks to help you become fluent faster.
Learn the sounds of the Arabic letters before moving on to words
Most people think that learning to recite the Arabic alphabet is the same thing as learning the alphabet. Unfortunately, that is not true. When you learn to recite the alphabet, you will know the names of the letters, and that will not help you know how to spell words.
The trick to learning the Arabic alphabet is to learn the sound of each letter at a time. And then learn how this letter sounds with diacritics. This way, you will be able to read any word you face even those that you have not seen before.
Learn the cognates
Whatever your mother language is, you will be able to know some Arabic words that are derived from your language or vice versa. Since those words almost sound the same, you can benefit from this similarity to help you practice Arabic.
Immerse yourself in the Arabic language
Even when you do not live in a country with Arabic people, you will be able to find some ways to create an immersive language environment. For example, you can change the language on your phone or computer to Arabic or watch some Arabic movies every while and then.
Learn words in a specific context
Learning important Arabic vocabulary is important to learn Arabic. We all know that you need to have a large list of active vocabulary to be able to speak or write Arabic. The problem with learning and memorizing new words is that you can forget them easily.
To help you with this issue, you can learn the words in their contexts. For example, learn all the words that you need to use while you are in the airport or the ones that can be used in the supermarket.
This method will let you link these words together and help you memorize them faster while reducing the chances of forgetting them.
Write down all your new vocabulary in a notebook
As you begin to study, you will come across many new words. Instead of depending on your memory, try to write down all the new words that you learn. This way, you will be able to review your key vocabulary and common phrases regularly.
Tricks to learn Arabic alphabet
Learning the Arabic alphabet correctly is the key of learning Arabic. But when you begin to learn, you will notice that it is not that easy to learn 28 letters with different shapes for each one.
So, you may ask how should I learn the Arabic alphabet or look for tips to learn the Arabic alphabet. Here, we will give some important tips such as:
Divide the Arabic alphabet into smaller groups
Let us face the fact that learning 28 letters at once is not easy. What you should do to make the language learning process simpler is to split them into smaller groups. You can for example put the letters that are similar in shapes into one group and study them.
Letters like “ب”, “ت” and “ث” have the same shape with the difference being in the number and the position of the dots. Therefore, learning one of them will reduce the time you need to learn the others.
Learn all the different shapes of the Arabic letters
The English alphabet has two forms of each letter; the capital and the small form. But Arabic alphabet is different as it has a form when the letter is connected to other letters (this can differ depending on the position of the letter in the word) and an isolated form.
When you learn the alphabet, make sure you learn all the forms of each letter. This will help you recognize the letter in every word easily.
Practice writing the Arabic letters
To memorize the Arabic alphabet faster, you need to practice writing them on a piece of paper. Dedicate a few minutes every day to practice writing the letters you know in all of their variations.
If it is possible, write some words that contain these letters to help link the letters to words. This way, you will be able to memorize both the letters and the words at the same time.
Tips for learning Arabic
If you want to become fluent in Arabic, you will need to work on all of your Arabic language skills. This means that you will need to work on improving all of them. Here are some tips on how to learn Arabic quickly and easily.
Speak Arabic out loud
Many Arabic students can pronounce Arabic words perfectly in their heads, but not when they speak or read. To avoid this problem, we advise you to speak out loud more often.
If you are reading an Arabic book, try reading it out loud as if you are reading it to someone. When you repeat the words and phrases over time, you will be able to pronounce them better.
Start learning common phrases
There are a lot of words and phrases in Arabic, but some of them will be used more than others. At the beginning of your learning, try to focus on the ones you will need in everyday conversation.
Try to start with phrases you need when shopping in the supermarket, buying food in restaurants, etc.
Practice daily
You are probably busy with your work and barely find time for learning Arabic. But did you know that practicing Arabic for a few minutes every day is better than studying for several hours on your weekend?
Try to find some time like 10 or 15 minutes a day to practice the language. During this time, try to read or write something or review your vocabulary list.
Find entertaining activities
The key to learning Arabic fast is to keep studying without feeling bored. To do so, you need to mix fun with education. You can use some online learning platforms that provide fun exercises, or you can listen to Arabic music and songs.
The music will help your brain remember more new vocabulary, and the same goes for watching Arabic movies with Arabic subtitles.
Use the new words you learn
It is easy to pick up a dictionary and learn plenty of new words, but that does not mean that you will memorize them immediately. Forgetting new words is easier than you think. One of the best ways to make sure your new vocabulary stays in your mind is to use them.
When you learn new words, try to use them in sentences. You can for example create a scenario in your head and start an Arabic conversation that includes these words.
Tips for learning modern standard Arabic
Although there are many Arabic dialects, Modern Standard Arabic is the most useful form of Arabic to learn. Here are some tips to help you learn the official language of all Arab countries.
Read books
Modern Standard Arabic is the language of literature. Therefore, you can use the books to help you learn Modern Standard Arabic. If you are a beginner, start with children’s books as they have simpler words that are easier to understand. Especially since there are some children’s books that come in two languages.
After you improve your reading skills and acquire more vocabulary, you will be able to read scientific books, novels, poetry, and other books. If you read out loud, you will be able to improve both reading and speaking skills.
Watch the Arabic Media
Modern Standard Arabic is the language that is used in the media and TV. While some entertainment programs use different Arabic dialects, you will find many other TV and radio programs in MSA.
Watching the news will have great benefit for you if you want to learn Arabic, especially since broadcasters speak slowly and clearly.
Study books from college
All the books that are used for education are written in Modern Standard Arabic. If you are planning to study at an Arabic university, you can use books about your field of specialty to learn MSA fast.
It would be helpful if you keep a dictionary with you at the beginning, as you will come across many new words. Over time, you will be able to understand the meaning from the context even with the presence of a word that you do not know its meaning.
Learn Arabic letters using animals
Using animals to learn Arabic can be a good method to learn them or teach them to kids. When learning Arabic as a foreign language, the letters will be unfamiliar and you will not recognize their sounds or names.
When you use animals to learn the alphabet, you will link each letter to an animal you already know. This will help you remember the letter with an example of its sound and its shape.
Many songs use animals to teach Arabic letters, so you can use these songs to add some joy to the learning process.
How to study Arabic with flashcards?
Flashcards are among the popular learning tools for language learners. Flashcards are simple and beneficial at the same time. People are used to use conventional paper flashcards, but now there are digital ones if you prefer using smartphones or computers.
The advantages of using flashcards to learn Arabic include the following:
- Learning Arabic letters and words with a flashcard will let you remember a thing in a different way from the classical way. Flashcards are random; therefore, you will create neural connections between the card and its content.
- Flashcards can be fun, which makes them a good way to teach kids. They can be used as a game.
- There are a lot of apps and ways to create your own flashcards. You can make different flashcards for different words and even make lists if you want.
- Flashcards are cheap; therefore, every one can use them to learn Arabic.
Mnemonic Arabic vocabulary
One of the common and effective ways to learn Arabic and memorize Arabic vocabulary is to use mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are memory techniques that are used to help you remember certain things.
This is widely used in language learning since it can make it easier to remember new words and phrases and recall them from memory. Learning languages with mnemonics use a variety of methods such as using flashcards with photos or making a funny story that contain the words.
The best method for learning Arabic
There are a lot of strategies to learn Arabic, and this can cause confusion for Arabic learners as it can make it harder to choose a method to start learning. To help you choose, we will tell you about some of the methods people find effective.
Using Learning Apps
Nowadays, you can find a lot of computer programs and phone apps to learn Arabic. Learning Apps are quite effective to learn the language when you choose a good one. For example, you can use AlifBee app, which is available for both i-phone and android mobile devices, as it has organized lessons that can be good for students at every level.
Alifbee app can teach you the Arabic sounds, grammar, and key phrases you need. Even more, it can help you review your progress and teach you the Arabic sounds.
Ask for a private teacher to help you
It is possible to find a teacher to help you learn Arabic online. There are several online platforms to connect you with qualified Arabic teachers. Even if you are using learning apps on your phone, you can still ask for the help of a teacher when there is something you find hard to understand.
Furthermore, a private lesson with an Arabic teacher can be a good method to evaluate your level of skills. You can ask the teacher to tell you about mistakes you do not know that you have.
Conclusion
If you think that learning Arabic can be a cumbersome task, you can use some tips and hacks for studying Arabic, because these simple tricks can help you learn Arabic faster and more effectively.
You can use all these Arabic study hacks along with learning Arabic with AlifBee, which is one of the best Arabic learning Apps that is specifically designed and organized for learning Arabic.
