Arabic language training for beginners is a stepping stone to many opportunities in the global marketplace. Millions of wealthy business people around the world speak Arabic as their first language. A sizable portion of the Arabic speakers converse easily in English, but they usually appreciate people who try to speak their language.

Although Arabic language instruction often concentrates on either the written or spoken language, some Arab language classes will include instruction in both writing and speaking. Many colleges around the world hire native speakers and offer language training in Arabic. Students will also find excellent language schools that specialize in Arab language training classes.

1. Some students learn Arabic more quickly than others, but a dedicated teacher can make a substantial difference in the progress of every student.

2. Learning to speak Arabic may seem daunting because the letters of the Arabic alphabet are very different than the letters in the English alphabet.

3. An Arab language training class should provide activities to encourage the use of the language with other members of the class and the teacher.

Action Steps
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Learn Arabic by understanding which sounds are associated with the each letter of the alphabet

The letters of the Arabic language might seem like Greek at first, but a talented instructor will demonstrate the sounds associated with each letter of the language. A dedicated student will soon find out that most of the letters have sounds found in the English language although the letters do not look like the English equivalent. There are some excellent websites with audio facilities that provide free Arabic language training courses.

I recommend: Learn Arabic Online is an interesting starting point to learn the basic sounds of the language and the sounds associated with each letter. Babel: Arabic also provides clear language training in Arabic with an explanation of the sounds and letters of the Arabic language.

Choose Arabic language instruction online or through an independent study course

Many accredited online Arabic classes provide expert instruction for busy people. Most of the accredited online Arabic classes are available for a fee. Some of the courses although not accredited will provide a solid foundation in the language without charge.

I recommend: Muttaqun Online provides an Arab language course starting with basic words and phrases without charge. The Rosetta Stone has a strong track record in language instruction in general, and the Arabic language instruction course is excellent.

Enroll in a program devoted to Modern Standard Arabic language instruction

Modern Standard Arabic language instruction is the most practical for beginners. Native speakers from Oman to Morocco use Arabic, but the informal language varies greatly. Arabic speakers in many countries understand Modern Standard Arabic more than any other form of Arabic although they might not understand dialects peculiar to other countries. Although students might want to learn the language as spoken in a particular country, they will be able to use the Modern Standard Arabic language instruction in more countries and as a stepping stone to other studies.

I recommend: WorldLanguage.com offers exciting opportunities to speak Modern Standard Arabic with native speakers at a reasonable price. The University of Albany offers Modern Standard Language Instruction for beginners who can continue with the program until they reach fluency in the language.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some of the Arabic language training websites claim to be free but often lead to buying textbooks, videos or tapes.

Learning to speak Arabic can help your company succeed. In a world that is becoming increasingly international, it's important to have foreign language skills. Arabic is one of the most spoken languages in the world, which makes Arabic language training particularly appropriate.

There are a variety of ways that you can get Arabic language instructions. Some people do well by studying at home, while others prefer to attend Arabic language classes.

If you can speak Arabic, you can:

1. Get a job abroad in Arab countries. Some Arab companies need to hire native English speakers to help run their business. However, you will need to learn to speak Arabic before they consider hiring you.

2. Do business with Arabic countries. To maximize your profits, you should always try to sell your goods and services to as wide an audience as possible. If you learn Arabic, you are able to reach a much wider audience.

3. Open a branch office in an Arabic country. Your business may be ready to expand and you've got your eye on a country in the Middle East or North Africa. Since Arabic is the predominant language, it's important to learn how to speak it.

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Look for free resources for language training in Arabic

If you are just starting out, you may want to make sure you have a strong interest before you spend a lot of money on language learning products. Free online resources to learn Arabic can help you get accustomed to the language and decide whether you want to go further.

I recommend: Babel offers free language lessons in Arabic to help you get started with grammar and writing. Many people feel that Arabic is an intimidating language because it uses a different style of writing. Ukindia offers free lessons in how to read Arabic.

Purchase Arabic language instruction software programs to learn from home

Many people enjoy studying languages from the comfort of their own homes. If this sounds like you, you may want to consider purchasing software that can teach you Arabic. Make sure you choose a program that covers all areas of language learning - speaking, reading and listening.

I recommend: The Rosetta Stone software program is a popular solution. They offer three levels of language learning so that you can progress. Pimsleur offers a basic program that can get you started in learning Arabic.

Take Arab language classes for additional practice

When learning a foreign language, there's nothing quite like being able to interact with others speaking the language. An Arab language training class can help you progress faster than studying on your own.

I recommend: The Boston Language Institute offers classes in Arabic at a reasonable price. Pacific Arabic Resources offers classes at several different levels to suit your needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're serious about Arabic language training, make sure that you study every day. Becoming fluent in a foreign language requires much practice.

More than a hundred million people around the world speak Arabic as a first language. These native speakers, however, often speak different Arabic because they usually speak the informal language prevalent in their homeland. Students looking to communicate with all of these people will find that each Arabic homeland has a unique and distinct form of Arabic or colloquial Arabic. For example, the people of Morocco speak a different Arabic than their fellow Arabs in Oman.

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Colloquial

When linguists speak of the colloquial, they speak about the language spoken by native speakers in informal situations. Each Arab country has a colloquial dialect and some countries have more than one. Students who learn the colloquial may be disappointed if the language that they speak is not understood by people in all Arab countries.

I recommend: Qalam Center provides excellent instruction in the Arabic language including lessons in colloquial Moroccan Arabic.

Modern Standard Arabic

Educated native speakers speak and write modern standard Arabic in formal situations. Although the countries of the Arab world span huge distances from Oman to Morocco, educated people in all of these countries understand modern standard Arabic. Modern standard Arabic is also the language usually used by educated news reporters on most television news programs.

I recommend: Learn more about modern standard Arabic at Georgetown University and their Arabic language department for beginners and more advanced students.

Non-Roman script

Arabic as a written language usually appears difficult to students used to reading and writing English and other languages using a Roman script. Individuals reading and writing Arabic do so from right to left - the exact opposite of the English language. The Arabic script uses a system that is usually much easier to learn than it first appears.

I recommend: SIL International provides relevant information on learning languages.

Levantine Arabic

Levantine Arabic is the language spoken and written by people in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. The language spoken in informal situations in these countries varies significantly from that spoken in other Arab nations. Levantine Arabic differs somewhat from one country to another.

I recommend: The University of Michigan has one of the best Arabic language programs in the world.

Diglossia

In some ways, learning Arabic is more difficult for students whose native language is English, and one of the obstacles to learning Arabic is diglossia. This means that those who use the Arabic language use one form for daily verbal communication but another form for writing and therefore reading the language. The grammar used in the written language is much the same as it was fourteen hundred years ago while the spoken dialogues change with the times.

I recommend: Linguist List focuses on courses for learning languages.

Formal spoken Arabic

Millions of Arabic speakers live in countries separated by thousands of miles and their spoken language is quite different, so how can these people communicate effectively with each other? Formal spoken Arabic is the answer to this problem. If these people spoke the informal language of their homeland, communications would be difficult if not impossible, but most educated Arabs learn formal spoken Arabic in order to communicate with other Arabic speakers.

I recommend: Learn more about formal spoken Arabic at the Online Islamic Store.

Arabic language training advice and ratings are valuable tools to save time and energy while searching for Arabic language instruction. Students searching for Arabic language training courses will soon find out that there are many programs available – some of the available courses are free of charge while others require a significant financial investment.

An individual searching for Arab language classes will also find that the courses provide little insight into the quality of the material without indepth investigation; and even then, you might not get accurate information. Arabic language training advice and ratings is a solution to this predicament. Students will find information on costs, quality and course content by accessing a good Arabic language training advice and ratings website. Keep the following in mind when searching for an Arab language course:

1. Arabic language training advice and ratings are helpful if these include a complete description of the course content.

2. Students hoping to learn Arabic will find courses that focus only on writing while others focus on the spoken language.

3. Language learners looking for proof of their skill levels need accredited online Arabic courses or courses from an accredited school.

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Access websites that compare language training in Arabic

Language training in Arabic programs vary greatly, but fortunately, there are websites that have advice and ratings on the available programs. Consumers should scrutinize the websites carefully to ensure they are not reading reviews supplied by the creators of the programs. The best websites compare prices, quality and ease of access to help consumers find the best program.

I recommend: Language-Learning-Advisor provides information on the most popular Arab language training classes and some programs that are not highly advertised. LanguageResourceOnline.com also provides reviews to help the consumer make wise choices from the learning tools on the market. Consumersearch.com is easy to use and will definitely help you make better purchases or find free resources.

Compare courses and learn to speak Arabic successfully

One Arab language training class may be useful in one Arabic country but strange to people in another Arab country. The informal spoken language differs sometimes greatly in the different Arab countries. Potential students should find a course that will be most useful to them in business and travel. Several websites provide details of the opportunities for learning the language properly.

I recommend: Giveme a Review is a wonderful source for reviews of the available programs. Transitionsabroad.com also provides information to make appropriate choices. The Arabic Teacher website has student evaluations of the Arabic language programs.

Find Arab language training courses that certify your progress

Learning Arabic can be fun but learning this language can also be a great asset on a resume. Serious students looking to increase their chances at a job in the global marketplace should shop for accredited online Arabic classes or a program at an accredited school. These courses provide evidence of achievement that will be meaningful to a potential employer.

I recommend: Certify your Arabic language progress with a language proficiency certificate that will prove the course you take is highly rated. Arab Academey.com is a helpful source to find an interesting Arab language training course for a successful start. Lexiconer.com is another source for Arabic language learners. Read about Arabic lessons in an essay in the New York Times.