10 ways to learn Arabic online for free
10 ways to learn arabic online for free You may find many Arabic courses online difficult to know where to start. How could you know which of the Arabic learning method is right for you?
That is where this article comes in. Here you are many free Arabic learning ways and approaches to find the very best. From online language exchanges to websites and everything in between, there are more ways than ever to learn Arabic online.
Initially, there are five basic approaches to learning Arabic. These approaches include learning through complete Arabic immersion, learning through translation, grammar-based learning, communication-based learning, and vocabulary-based learning.
Since nearly everything today can be done online, it is now possible to learn a language online using any one of these five approaches. As the following shows how these different approaches can be taken advantage of online and the methods they entail.
1. The Online Immersion Approach
This approach involves travelling to an Arabic-speaking country, spending an extended period there, and living your day-to-day life in the language.
An online immersion approach, however, is a little different. It does not need to have a passport, flight tickets, or even to leave your home. Instead, that approach includes using real-world videos and conversation partners to make you immerse yourself in Arabic on a daily basis from the comfort of your home.
Many people consider immersion one of the fastest ways to learn Arabic because it forces Arabic learners to practice the language in natural situations. It is a great option for those who are self-motivated and good at finding and using online resources. It encourages Arabic learners to connect online with native speakers and teaches them valuable knowledge about Arabic culture.
2. The Translation Approach Online
This approach involves finding a book in Arabic and using a bilingual dictionary to translate between Arabic and your native language. It’s the “old fashioned” approach to language, it can easily be used online to learn Arabic.
While this is a very cost-effective approach to language learning that can bring results to those willing to invest time and energy in studying, it’s not a very good approach for those who wish to learn to actually communicate in Arabic. Finding texts that are written in both Arabic and your native language online is easy, but the process of translating them and learning from it is tedious and challenging. It is a good way to improve the writing skills for advanced speakers.
3. The Grammar-Based Approach Online
This approach is the language learning method typically used in most Arabic-learning textbooks and “teach yourself” language books. Emphasis is placed on learning the grammatical rules of Arabic and being able to read and write in the language. It can be found online on many free language learning websites that focus on exercises and grammatical explanations.
For learners who like to know the rules of a language and want to be able to apply these rules to their speaking and writing, this is a great and cost-effective method to learn Arabic online. However, students who use this method do not get many opportunities to actually speak or listen to Arabic and must learn many grammar rules.
4. The Communicative Approach Online
This approach is the most commonly used by schools that teach Arabic as a second language. Yet, many online language schools take advantage of this approach in their programs.
It involves a teacher who gives lessons to a small group of students. These lessons usually are divided into four sections, reading, writing, listening and speaking activities, and they are often delivered live online via Skype or an online classroom.
Students who learn Arabic online with the communicative approach are given a well-rounded education. If the class is planned and taught well, students can learn quickly and start holding conversations in Arabic a few weeks after they began the language course.
5. The Vocabulary-Based Approach Online
Finally, this approach is used by many language-learning software programs and involves learning Arabic by associating words with pictures of the objects they represent. It is often considered the easiest way to learn Arabic. Traditional grammar rules are not taught but students naturally learn them by their progress.
Arabic learners can improve their vocabulary very quickly with this method because of the use of repetition and images. In addition, by using this method, they can save time and money instead of a traditional class and make progress at their own rate.
So what is the best way to learn Arabic online?
While many consider the vocabulary-based approach the best way to learn Arabic online because it is so easy to use, this approach still has some major downfalls. As many will tell you, there is no single best way to learn Arabic online that works for everyone.
By considering everything that is needed to learn a language quickly and effectively, though, it is possible to develop a list of the characteristics of the best way to learn Arabic online. This list can help to be your “checklist” when it comes to learning Arabic online in the best way possible. Let us look at them.
Ideally, the best ten ways to learn Arabic online includes:
- Interactive lessons that teach Arabic vocabulary, grammar and culture through reading, writing, listening and speaking;
- Listen carefully to the sounds and the pronunciation of the Arabic letters in order to properly distinguish each letter and not to confuse them (such as with the pronunciation of ذ and ز).
- Get used to a period of daily Arabic immersion.
- Utilize Professional guidance from a native Arabic speaker trained in education.
- Interaction with both Arabic native speakers and other non-native Arabic language learners.
- Training on occasional translation activities between Arabic and your native language.
- Using different educational methods in studying vocabulary like colourful, visual and interactive ways.
- Reinforcement testing of skills learned by practising it in daily life.
- Motivational performance incentives to encourage daily practise.
- Learn how to use an Arabic dictionary.
This may sound like a lot to ask for, but several new programs like YouTube channels or mobile applications can provide language learners with many of these features. You will find it easier than ever to supplement your studies with other programs, websites or services.