| People have many reasons for learning Arabic. For | | | | understand local dialects, which can then be easily |
| example, typical factors include work, for travel, for | | | | picked up with the Standard Arabic as a solid |
| becoming a Muslim, because of marriage or friendship | | | | foundation! |
| with an Arab, or simply as a hobby. Arabic is spoken | | | | Studying the absolute basics at home (before |
| by more than 280 million people as a first language, so | | | | attending classes) is recommended for students of |
| being educated in the ancient language can be very | | | | Arabic of any age! There are plenty of online |
| beneficial indeed for young Muslims. | | | | self-tuition courses - such as 'Learn Arabic Online' - |
| So, you've decided that you are going to make the | | | | and basic Arabic books available that will see you |
| grand total of speakers 280 million and one? Well, this | | | | through the beginner stage. Linguaphones and mp3 |
| article offers advice for people who are about to open | | | | audio books can be very effective, as the student is to |
| the book on learning the Qur'an's official language. | | | | follow a written text while listening to a recording of it, |
| Firstly, it would be ideal to learn a little Arabic at home | | | | and then to repeat each sentence. Young children can |
| before committing yourself to more serious classes | | | | also be given a simple Arabic book or an Arabic |
| and we would advise learning standard/classical | | | | Alphabet Wooden Puzzle to learn the basics. |
| Arabic...and move onto a colloquial dialect afterwards. | | | | Those of you who are learning Arabic solely due to an |
| Modern Standard Arabic is what is used in books, | | | | interest in Islam, then standard Arabic is - as previously |
| newspapers, radio and television news programmes, | | | | stated - obviously preferable to a colloquial dialect. But |
| and all media etc. | | | | standard Arabic is unlikely to meet all your needs to |
| Standard Arabic does sound a bit posh and formal to | | | | fully understand the Qur'an, so a specific course in |
| Arab ears, but at least you can be sure of being | | | | Qur'anic Arabic would be recommended. |
| understood by educated Arabs anywhere in the | | | | Good luck! |
| Middle East. However, you may find it difficult at first to | | | | |