Next steps
You've completed this introduction to Arabic.
Which Arabic to learn?
| Goal | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Reading/formal | Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) |
| Travel/conversation | Egyptian or Levantine dialect |
| Business | MSA + Gulf or Levantine dialect |
| Academic/religious | Classical Arabic |
Many learners start with MSA, then add a dialect.
Resources
Apps
- Anki — Spaced repetition for vocabulary
- Duolingo — MSA basics
- Pimsleur — Audio-focused learning
- Memrise — Vocabulary building
Websites
- ArabicPod101 — Lessons at all levels
- Madinah Arabic — Classical Arabic course
- TalkInArabic — Dialect resources
YouTube
- Learn Arabic with Maha — Clear explanations
- Arabic Mike — Egyptian Arabic
- ArabicPod101 — Structured lessons
Media
- Al Jazeera — News in MSA
- Arabic films — Egyptian cinema is widely understood
- Arabic music — Lyrics with translations
Learning the script
- Practice writing daily
- Start with print, then cursive
- Use lined notebooks designed for Arabic
- Master letter connections
Certificates
- ALPT — Arabic Language Proficiency Test
- OPI — Oral Proficiency Interview
In Arab countries
- Language schools throughout the region
- Jordan and Egypt are popular destinations
- Immersion accelerates learning dramatically
Final word
Arabic is challenging but rewarding. The script takes time, but it opens a vast world of culture, history, and over 400 million speakers.
بالتوفيق! (bi-t-tawfīq!) — Good luck!