Live & Learn Arabic
Audio Lessons Software Translation Dictionaries Exercise Books Flashcards Video & Media Learn Online Immersion Culture Corner What an extremely rewarding language to learn! We've searched out some of the best learning resources to lead you on your journey to foreign Arabian worlds, without even having to step out onto the street. This page includes information and advice on learning the language through audio lessons, language learning software, dictionaries, exercise books and much more... Did you know? The following English words come from Arabic: admiral, adobe, coffee, cotton, elixir, divan, gazelle, henna, jar, mocha, muslin, sugar, zero... to name just a few. Useful Phrases Keef haluk? (How are you?) Sometimes shortened to Keefak Ana bikhayr (I'm fine) Aysh ismuk (What's your name?) Ismi Michael (My name is Michael) Shoofi mafi? (what's up? or what's the matter?) Shukran jazeelan (thankyou so much) Maasalaamah (Goodbye)
Language SynopsisArabic is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic, and as such, is the largest living language to come out of the Semitic language family. The modern tongue spoken by upwards of 200 million native speakers and an estimated 245 million non-native speakers, comes in many different varieties around the world... gnerally the language can be termed as either literary, or colloquial. Different from the standard nature of the Literary language, colloquial Arabic can be quite varied or even classified into different dialects altogether. This being the case, standard Arabic is a safe bet if you are interested in learning this language, as it is widely studied and used internatinally. This language has contributed to the vocabulary of many other languages, including English, as the list above mentioned afew loanwords. Some of the other languages affected have been Berber, Hindustani, Indonesian, Kirubi, Kurdish, Malay, Maltese, Pashto, Persian, Portugese, Spanish, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu. Below you will see a map of the 25 countries in which Arabic is an official language: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liby, Mauritani, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Western Sahara.
Audio LessonsListening to lessons, whether they be on cd or cassette tape, will aid you in developing conversational skills and correct pronunciation. We've found that the best audio lessons for learning Arabic are the following: Pimsleur Audio LessonsWe've found Pimsleur to be the best when it comes to memory/recall and fine-tuning pronunciation of the language. From Beginner levels to Advanced you will find something that fits your budget aswell. Pimselur lessons are very manageable as you only need to spend 30 minutes per day on them. Very quickly you'll find yourself churning out useful phrases which have been forged into your mind by the scientifically proven Pimselur method. For a more detailed description of the Pimsleur Method and why it's so effective, please visit our Audio Lessons page. Where to buy: We've found that Pimselur Language is both an official distributor of the lessons, and very affordable when compared to other providers that claim to bring them to you at so-called "discount" prices. Don't live and learn Arabic the hard way, getting ripped off from these secondary providers - take this tip from us!
Internet Freebies ArabicPod101 is a FREE way to get your hands on some audio lessons, but you'll need regular access to your computer or download them onto your ipod listen as you go! A personal account with extra lesson materials and features are available for a fee, but meanwhile the audio lessons are free! Take your fill!
Language Learning SoftwareEffective language programs combine all aspects of learning a language through interactive methods, and this is where software and computers can serve as an excellent tool for learning your chosen language! Here is by far the best in language learning software:
Rosetta Stone
Why do we say it is the best? Well, Rosetta Stone is the most comprehensive language learning software course available. The software is in 3 levels, all of which provide interesting and stimulating Beginner to Advanced instruction. Rosetta Stone use the "Dynamic Immersion" method whereby you learn vocabulary through image association. This proves very effective as it simulates you and causes you to be absorbed, in the same way that you learned your mother tongue as a child. For a more detailed description of the Rosetta Stone method, please visit our Software page.
Rosetta Stone Arabic Level 1
Where to buy: You can try a free demo of Rosetta Stone software through their official website. All the Rosetta Stone courses are availble to buy either as a boxed product, or an an online sunscription basis. Click on the banner below for more information.
Internet Freebies: BYKI is an excellent free resource for language learners. The free interactive software for beginners to the language is available to download off the BYKI website.
English-Arabic Dictionaries
Internet Freebies: Translate into Arabic using the following free online dictionary: Exercise Books
Language FlashcardsWe are happy to offer free flashcards in any language, please see our Flash Cards page for more information.
Video & MediaFollow the tips on our more generic Video page (regarding how to use movies and DVD's to teach yourself a language) and see if you like any of the following:
Learning Live OnlineThe internet makes so much possible in terms of distance education... learning languages live via the web is not an exception! Using Skype or VoipStunt, or other web-conferencing technology, it is possible to carry out a live language class with a teacher or student/s in a completely different part of the globe! Internet Freebies: Free Teacher/Student meet up is provided by Live & Learn Languages. If you are an Arabic teacher and would like to teach your language live by telephone or through the internet, please let us know using the comment box at the bottom of the page. In turn, if you are a student wanting to learn the Arabian way, live on the net or over the phone, please let us know. We will provide your contact and/or profile to teachers/students who are interested. Tuition rates and methods of payment will be up to you to determine with each other. Don't worry, we won't be after any commission or hidden fees. We are happy just to help with the introductions!
Language ImmersionSurrounding yourself with words and sounds and music is definitely the very best way to learn any language. We are looking into courses abroad at the moment and will soon be able to recommend one or two. Until then, feel free to do your best to immerse yourself where you live, using the following suggestions… for example, use a dictionary to print words like “table”, "door", "window", "kettle", "bed", "chair", "mirror" etc and stick them onto those items around the house. Over time these words will automatically become part of your vocabulary, without even trying to memorize them! You could also in time join some verbs, like eat, open/close, wash, boil, sleep, sit, look, etc so as to associate them with the objects. Try it! Internet freebies: Immerse yourself right away by... ~Listening to the radio abit each day and tune in your ears! ~Keeping up with the news each day! ~Looking up the weather (at least in Egypt) each day! ~Keeping up with Arabic media (tv programs, movies, etc)! ~Using www.google.com/intl/ar/ instead of Google in English and set your results criteria to languages in Arabic… ~Listening to music and looking for the lyrics to your favorite songs! For example here is a song by Hasnaa, called Bamba.
Culture CornerCultural Quirks: While many in the Arab world are Muslims it is not correct to assume that they are so. Traditional clothing varies across different societies and also is influenced by the degree of religiousness to which the person adheres. When a woman choses to wear a robe and veil to cover their faces and bodies it is due to their level of devotion and not due to their being suppressed. It is not uncommon for Arabs to mix traditional clothing with western clothing. Depending on how religious a certain woman is, or her family, it may be best not to offer your hand unless she offers her first. Again, depending on the religion and degree of devotion, meat must usually have been butchered in line with a certain ritual and thus "Hallal", meaning "Permitted". Of course, this would not include Pork. It is good manners to accept what is offered to you as a guest, and to use only your right hand when offering or accepting food and drink, or when eating from a communal dish. National Dishes and recipes: Pita bread is typically used... it being a flat bread which can be opened and filled with meat or vegetables to make a delicious meal. Baklawa or Baklava is a well-known dessert of layered pastry jam-packed with nuts and flavored in honey-lemon syrup. They are usually in diamond shapes. Houmous is a delicious puree of chickpeas with tahini, garlic and olive oil - used as a dip for Pita bread or a condiment. There are many more tasty dishes but for anyone desiring to dive in, we recommend Arabic Cooking Step By Step (1/1 Volume)
Traditional Music:
Help Others Live & LearnAre you a time and tested language learner? If so we'd love to hear about how you learned this language. What resources helped you the most? What about audio lessons? Do you have any tips to share? Which dictionary did you always end up going back to? Did you ever resort to software? Please e-mail us your tips using the form below. Your shared language learning experiences will save other language learners' time, energy, and money. In fact, that is the the mission of Live & Learn Languages!
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is extremely well reviewed on Amazon, being described as unrivalled by one user and a "true linguistic masterpiece and longtime companion" by another. This revised edition has 200 more pages (1301 in total) with 13,000 new entries including phrases and idiomatic expressions. Amazon allows a look inside for free aswell so feel free to have a peek!
for an all-around exercise and grammar book. Coming along with an audio disc, this set helps you to have everyday conversations in Arabic, make sense of the grammar, improve your pronunciation, use idioms and popular expressions, and get around in Arabic-speaking countries! Also provided is the alphabet and pronunciation... which is something you could end up buying separately in a book on its own, but here everything you need to start is included, at great value!
to have an extensive list of verms at your fingertips, with all conjugative grammar you'll ever need!
as a heavy duty recipe for ones who are intent on mastering the art of middle eastern cuisine.
