Tips on Arabic as a Second Language (3)

Recap on the previous posts :

In Post (1):

1. Be dedicated and ready to fail
2. Make sure your child has proficiency in the skills of their first language before introducing them to the same in Arabic
3. Make use of technology and Audio/visual materials
4. Design activities for learning
5. Immersion
6. The Quran

In post (2):

1. What works for the kids will work for you, as long as you act like a child
2. Learn the science of “Sarf” morphology
3. Eat your dictionary
4. THINK in Arabic
5. Read in Arabic

Now that you’ve gotten through that, its time to get serious with some practice. I was thinking of doing some podcasts, but there are probably others that are better suited for that than myself.

Here is a link to MP3’s covering Arabic vocabulary in several dialects. For fans of languages in general you’ll find a number of other languages on the same site for download.

Here’s a site for audio that accompanies the Medina Arabic Course mentioned in a previous post. You can find some here as well (featuring the Author).

Try to find tapes of eloquent Arabic speakers to listen to as well, this will help train your ear to the language. Try reading some poetry and attempt a few parallel translations as well.

REMEMBER! Listening, reading, and comprehension skills will always come before your ability to speak, so don’t get frustrated.

As the Arabs say: (مَنْ جَدّ وَجَدَ) He who puts in the effort will find what he is looking for.