I fancy learning a new language - Arabic to be precise. I used to know it back in Nigeria (as i practiced Islam) but that was a very long time ago and i have forgotten everything! Only place i have learned a new language is in school (French and German). Wondering what is the best way to learn these days (outside of school)? Internet, tapes etc?
Learning Arabic
- Thread starter doodah
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The very best way to learn a language, is to totally immerse yourself in it, e.g. go and live somewhere where it's spoken. If that's not an option, then I would advise listening to it a lot. Even if you don't understand it, you must listen.
Also, you have to begin to understand language if you've forgotten. Verbs, nouns, tenses etc so, when you read about the new language, you can properly understand how things are done differently.
Basically, if you can't surround yourself by going there, do so as much as you can at home. Online Radio, TV, Movies, etc.
Also, you have to begin to understand language if you've forgotten. Verbs, nouns, tenses etc so, when you read about the new language, you can properly understand how things are done differently.
Basically, if you can't surround yourself by going there, do so as much as you can at home. Online Radio, TV, Movies, etc.
Buy a book written in Arabic, and an English-Arabic dictionary. You should be able to work out a lot from memory, as you used to speak the language. Use the dictionary to look up the words you don't know. Read the book a couple of times, as it will get more grained into your memory.
Edit: if you plan to go on holiday, go on holiday to a country in the Middle East, I picked up a fair amount there. My mum who is fluent in Arabic told me what to say to the shopkeepers, and I met a Russian-Jordanian girl there who taught me a thing or two as well.
In the touristic areas of countries (Aqaba, Sharm El Sheik, Petra) there they all speak at least basic English, so if you can't speak the language you aren't going to be stuck (I can't speak Arabic myself, aside from what I picked up there).
Edit: if you plan to go on holiday, go on holiday to a country in the Middle East, I picked up a fair amount there. My mum who is fluent in Arabic told me what to say to the shopkeepers, and I met a Russian-Jordanian girl there who taught me a thing or two as well.
In the touristic areas of countries (Aqaba, Sharm El Sheik, Petra) there they all speak at least basic English, so if you can't speak the language you aren't going to be stuck (I can't speak Arabic myself, aside from what I picked up there).
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Be aware that arabic varies greatly depending on the country you're talking about. For example, someone from Egypt, IIRC, would struggle to understand someone from Iraq due to the dialect being so different. Make sure to learn it consistently or nobody will understand you!
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I studied Arabic when I was at school for a couple of years, but I also have a lot of familial links to the middle east so it was maybe a bit easier to pick up. I completely approve of your choice of language, it's a fantastic language, further more you immerse yourself into a fantastic culture.
The best thing to do is to have lessons if you can't spend time there - it's quite expensive but you need to speak with a very fluent speaker who knows how to teach. Yeah you can get yourself "teach yourself" books/tapes, but lessons are much much better. Owing to the fact the structure and alphabet is so so different you can't learn it as easily as say french or spanish which are a doddle to learn in comparison. However once you understand the basic structure of the language and it "clicks" it's a very very easy language to improve your skills on. As has been pointed out there are a lot of dialects though often it is said that Syrian arabic is more generic than others.
Good luck!
The best thing to do is to have lessons if you can't spend time there - it's quite expensive but you need to speak with a very fluent speaker who knows how to teach. Yeah you can get yourself "teach yourself" books/tapes, but lessons are much much better. Owing to the fact the structure and alphabet is so so different you can't learn it as easily as say french or spanish which are a doddle to learn in comparison. However once you understand the basic structure of the language and it "clicks" it's a very very easy language to improve your skills on. As has been pointed out there are a lot of dialects though often it is said that Syrian arabic is more generic than others.
Good luck!
Are you looking to learn Modern Standard Arabic or a dialect?
I've been learning Arabic for about three months now. I'd suggest you finding a teacher because I feel it's one of those languages where self-study can only get you so far. Go to your local University and put up a poster asking for a native Arabic speaker to help you out in exchange for your native English.
This site is excellent for the alphabet -
http://www.languageguide.org/arabic/
The sound files have been recorded by natives speakers. It's also an excellent site for building up your vocabulary. The grammar will only take you so far, so this site will help you progress futher -
http://www.mediu.org/eMaahad/eBooks/index.htm
If you prefer to follow a book instead of sitting in front of your monitor, check out the 'Teach Yourself Arabic' series. That should give you a good foundation.
I've been learning Arabic for about three months now. I'd suggest you finding a teacher because I feel it's one of those languages where self-study can only get you so far. Go to your local University and put up a poster asking for a native Arabic speaker to help you out in exchange for your native English.
This site is excellent for the alphabet -
http://www.languageguide.org/arabic/
The sound files have been recorded by natives speakers. It's also an excellent site for building up your vocabulary. The grammar will only take you so far, so this site will help you progress futher -
http://www.mediu.org/eMaahad/eBooks/index.htm
If you prefer to follow a book instead of sitting in front of your monitor, check out the 'Teach Yourself Arabic' series. That should give you a good foundation.