How to Learn Arabic: 6 Useful Ways to Learn Arabic Quickly

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Are you learning Arabic but have found it difficult to find high-quality resources?

In this article, I’ll show you the most effective ways to learn Arabic and the resources you can use to make the process easier. There’s a wide variety of resources you can use such as language-learning apps, courses, and even YouTube channels and podcasts. However you prefer to learn, you’re sure to find something suitable for you.

The team at Langoly has over 5 decades of combined language learning experience, and we’ve tested and reviewed over 600 language products. We only include high-quality resources that can make studying a new language easier. We’ve helped millions of readers through the language learning process, and this article will help you find the best tools to improve your Arabic skills.

Best Arabic App

Try Rocket Arabic

Best Arabic Course

Try Talk in Arabic

Best Arabic Tutors

Try italki

Arabic is one of the most spoken languages in the world and is an official language of 25 countries. Because it’s spoken across such a wide geographical area, there are many dialects that vary greatly. Three of the most studied dialects are Modern Standard Arabic, Egyptian Arabic, and Moroccan Arabic. Currently, there is a demand in the United States for Arab speakers, so knowing this language can give you a huge advantage in finding a job in a variety of sectors.

How to Learn Arabic: Achieve Fluency with These 6 Proven Methods

Arabic is a difficult language for English speakers to learn, but don’t let that stop you! The first step to becoming fluent is finding a study method that works for you. Once you have a way that you enjoy, it’s important to set a language-learning routine. Most language apps and courses recommend consistent study to progress and retain what you have learned. Even if you can’t study every day or dedicate hours every week, you will still see progress if you are consistent.

Another important step is finding a high-quality resource that will help you learn correctly. At Langoly, we use a strict testing methodology to make sure any products we recommend are high quality and worth your time. I included the methods and resources on this list because they are proven effective by our testing. Any of the products on this list will help you learn Arabic the right way.

1. Use the Best Arabic Apps

One of the most popular ways to learn a language is with an app. They’re convenient because you can study anywhere you want. Most apps make learning a language fun or have interesting features and designs that make you want to use the app frequently. Rocket Arabic, Mondly, and Pimsleur are 3 of the best language apps you can use to study Arabic. They are some of the most popular but also offer quality content that will help you learn.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low-Medium
Convenience: High

Try Rocket Arabic

Try Mondly

Try Pimsleur

Look at More Arabic Apps

Rocket Arabic

Rocket Arabic is the best app to learn Arabic because it will help you with all areas of language learning, including vocabulary, grammar, speaking, and listening. The app focuses on the Egyptian dialect specifically. The lessons break down conversations between native Arabic speakers and teach difficult grammar topics in an understandable way. There are even cultural notes so you can understand how Egyptian culture influences the language. You can try Rocket Arabic for free for 7 days, or read more about it in this Rocket Arabic review.

Mondly

I recommend Mondly for beginners because it teaches the basics of Arabic using short and interactive lessons. You have the flexibility to study the lessons in the order you want and jump to the topics that interest you most. Mondly also has some cool features like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality lessons that make learning Arabic entertaining and interactive. You can try Mondly for free to see if you like it or read more about it in this Mondly review.

Pimsleur

Pimsleur is a proven choice if you want to become conversational quickly. The Pimsleur method focuses specifically on pronunciation and speaking. You won’t learn a lot of grammar topics, but you’ll quickly understand Arabic and be able to communicate, one of the most difficult language skills to achieve. The lessons are completely audio, so you can learn from anywhere. If interested, you can use a Pimsleur free trial, or read more about it in this Pimsleur review.

2. Take an Online Arabic Course

Learning Arabic with an online course is an easy way to study because the courses lay everything out for you so you always know what to study next. This provides continuity in your learning and builds on what you already know. Courses often have detailed lessons that provide more explanation than other learning methods. The three courses below, Talk in Arabic, Egyptian Arabic Beginner’s Workshop, and Arabic Workshop are well-designed courses that will walk you through Arabic step by step.

Commitment: High
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium

Try Talk in Arabic

Try Udemy

Try Arabic Workshop

See more Arabic courses

Talk in Arabic

Talk in Arabic is one of the most useful courses because you can choose between 8 different dialects. Most apps and courses only offer one, but there are significant differences between the dialects. There is audio and video from native speakers that show you how people talk in different Arabic-speaking countries. I appreciated that each lesson has a transcript so I could read and understand what was said in addition to hearing how Arabic was spoken. There are 3 different pricing plans so you can choose the one that fits your budget.

Udemy: Egyptian Arabic Beginner’s Workshop

Egyptian Arabic Beginner’s Workshop is a course on the Udemy platform. This highly-rated course is a simple way to begin learning Egyptian Arabic because the lessons focus on teaching important words and phrases that you’ll need for basic conversations, such as introductions and asking questions. The goal of the course is to have you interact in Arabic as quickly as possible. You can preview the course here or read a complete review of the Udemy platform.

Arabic Workshop

Arabic Workshop has an extensive library of video animations that are voiced by native speakers. They reinforce grammar and vocabulary through the stories you listen to. It’s an immersive experience because all the lessons are in Arabic, but you can see the transcript which helps you learn words that you don’t know. I really enjoyed the animations and they held my interest for longer than other study methods. You can access some content for free so you can try it out before buying anything.

3. Find an Online Arabic Tutor

Taking classes from a private teacher or tutor is one of the most effective ways to learn, but it can be difficult to find a teacher in your area. Online learning has become more popular in the past few years, and now it’s easy to connect yourself with an Arabic teacher no matter where you live. italki, Preply, and Verbling are three of the best choices for finding a teacher. They are safe and secure platforms that have hundreds of qualified Arabic teachers for you to choose from.

Commitment: Medium
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium

Try italki

Try Preply

Try Verbling

italki

italki is a massive language-learning platform, and there are hundreds of Arabic teachers. You can choose a teacher based on what dialect you want to learn, the teacher’s specialty, availability, and more. Teachers set their own prices, which helped me find one that fit my budget. Most teachers offer a discounted trial class so you can see if they are a good fit for you. You can also read more in this italki review.

Preply

Preply is a similar platform to italki. You can choose an Arabic tutor based on different criteria such as where the teacher is from and what languages they speak. It differs from italki because, with Preply, you buy lesson bundles rather than individual classes. Preply also offers a satisfaction guarantee. If you aren’t happy with your tutor during your trial lesson, they will book another trial class for you for free. This way you’re sure to find a tutor you’re happy with. You can read more about it in this Preply review.

Verbling

Verbling is another platform that allows you to choose your teacher. They have extensive profiles that show the teachers’ qualifications and ratings from past students. Teachers create their own material, which can be tailored to your needs. I like that most teachers offer a 30-minute free trial class so I could find one that fits my learning style. If interested, you can read more about this platform in this Verbling review.

4. Study with High-Quality Arabic Books

Books are a tried and true way to study a language. You can take books anywhere and study what you want. They have in-depth descriptions of important language topics and are a good way to practice reading and writing in Arabic. Mastering Arabic, The Kallimni ‘Arabi Series, and Kullu Tamam! are high-quality and comprehensive options. If you want to see even more options, you can look at our Arabic book guide.

Commitment: Low
Price: Medium
Convenience: Medium

Mastering Arabic

Mastering Arabic is meant for beginners with zero to little previous knowledge of Arabic to begin learning this tricky language. It teaches Modern Standard Arabic and provides a gradual introduction to the important skills necessary to understand the Arabic language and alphabet. The book comes with access to free online audio and videos, which helps you practice listening comprehension. I liked the comprehensive grammar and cultural explanations that were included. Learn more about Mastering Arabic here.

Kallimni ‘Arabi Series

The Kallimni ‘Arabi Series consists of 3 books that can take you from beginner to advanced. It focuses on Egyptian Arabic, the most widely understood dialect. The lessons are structured to have you practice useful skills like reading and speaking and focus on the Arabic you will need in everyday situations. The book is entirely in Arabic, which is effective for some learners but might be too challenging for others. You can read more about it here.

Kullu Tawmam!

Kullu Tawman! is effective if you want to self-study Arabic. It focuses on Egyptian Colloquial Arabic but gives a basis for Modern Standard Arabic and discusses the differences between the two. This book stands out because it’s one of the few options that teaches both Modern Standard Arabic and a dialect. There are tons of practice activities like translation exercises, pattern drills, and vocabulary lists along with a CD so you can also practice listening and pronunciation. You can get your copy of Kullu Tawam! here.

5. Watch Arabic YouTube Videos

Watching YouTube videos is an entertaining way to learn Arabic. Some videos are similar to learning in a classroom, while others focus on entertainment by producing humorous content in Arabic. Whichever type of video you prefer, it’s a great way to completely immerse yourself in the language and hear how real people speak Arabic. The three channels below have many subscribers and produce high-quality videos. For even more options, check out this Arabic YouTube guide.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High

Learn Arabic with Maha

Maha posts videos that explain essential grammar and vocabulary topics, but she also has videos about Middle Eastern culture and tourism. I enjoyed her upbeat personality which made watching the videos fun and interesting. She explains everything in English and the videos are best for beginners. If you’re looking for where to start, you can watch her “Arabic Beginner Lessons” playlist. Check out her channel here.

Easy Arabic

The Easy Arabic channel has simple lessons that show you how to pronounce common vocabulary words. There are also videos that teach grammar points like the difference between singular and plural nouns and how to ask questions. The videos vary in length from one minute to over an hour so I could choose what to watch based on the amount of time I had available to study. You can check out Easy Arabic here.

Learn Lebanese Arabic with Hiba Najem

Hiba makes videos in Lebanese Arabic. She teaches vocabulary and phrases that you would use in everyday situations, such as at the airport or hotel. The videos that are Arabic lessons are numbered so you can watch them in order, and is a good place for beginners to start. I also enjoyed the videos that show her life in Lebanon and popular tourist destinations. You can check out her channel here.

6. Listen to Arabic Podcasts

Podcasts are another modern way to learn Arabic. You can listen on your phone or any other device and take them with you. They’re a useful choice for people who have busy schedules and want to study on the go. Podcasts help you hear the correct pronunciation and listen to native speakers. ArabicPod101, Salis, and The Arabic We Speak have tons of episodes that can help you improve your Arabic listening comprehension.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High

ArabicPod101

ArabicPod101 is an extensive platform that includes hundreds of podcast lessons that teach everything from language basics to culture. Each podcast lesson features a dialogue between native speakers so you can hear how Arabic is spoken conversationally. I recommend taking advantage of the extensive additional features on the platform, like lesson notes, vocabulary lists, and practice exercises. You can try ArabicPod101 for free or read more about it in this review.

Salis – Learn Egyptian Arabic

Salis has short podcast lessons that teach a specific aspect of the language, such as common opposites or how to say “Merry Christmas” in Arabic. You’ll hear the Egyptian dialect and also learn about Egyptian culture and customs. The host uses English to describe the words and phrases you learn so it’s easy to understand, no matter what your level is. You can listen to all of the Salis podcasts for free on Spotify.

The Arabic We Speak

The Arabic We Speak teaches Levantine Arabic, the dialect spoken in Jordan. Each episode is short, less than 5 minutes, and has a lesson worksheet that accompanies it. There are different levels so topics become more difficult (but also more interesting!) as you advance. I liked the advanced series on sustainable tourism. They post a new episode every Tuesday along with a lesson worksheet. There are tons of episodes that you can access today.

How to Learn Arabic Fast: Tips and Tricks

Because Arabic is a difficult language, you won’t learn it overnight, but there are some ways to learn faster. Finding a resource that you enjoy using will help you to stay consistent in your studying. Continual practice is better than studying sporadically and if you enjoy learning, you are more likely to continue.

It’s also a good idea to use more than one resource so you can reinforce all language skills. For example, many language apps lack speaking and listening practice, so it might be helpful to take classes with an Arabic tutor or listen to a podcast to develop these skills.

How to Learn Arabic: Final Thoughts

Hopefully this list helps you find a good resource to learn Arabic. Finding one that you enjoy using because it fits with your study habits and budget will help motivate you to study in the long run. Learning a language is all about practice, practice, practice, but with the right learning tools and consistent routine, you’ll soon be speaking Arabic like a pro!

Want to learn more? Check out our Arabic resource page.

How to Learn Arabic: FAQ