Best Ways to Learn Arabic

Learning Arabic is an incredibly valuable skill, whether you aim to explore the rich culture, communicate in Arabic-speaking countries, or deepen your understanding of religious texts. Arabic is a beautiful and historically significant language with over 400 million native speakers across the globe. It’s also the key to unlocking the world of the Quran, literature, and centuries of history.

In this blog, we’ll explore the best ways to learn Arabic—whether you're a beginner, want to learn conversational Arabic, or are focusing on Quranic Arabic for religious studies. Let’s break down the most effective approaches to mastering this fascinating language.

Choosing the Right Type of Arabic to Learn

Arabic is a diverse language, and there are various dialects and forms, each with its purpose. Here is an overview of the three main types of Arabic:

• Quranic Arabic (Fusha): This is the classical form of Arabic used in the Quran. If your goal is to study the Quran deeply, Quranic Arabic is your best option.

• Modern Standard Arabic (MSA): This is basically a modern version of Quran Arabic (Fusha) and is the formal language used in newspapers, literature, and media. It’s the best choice for learners who want to understand written Arabic and be able to communicate professionally.

• Colloquial Arabic: Spoken dialects vary across regions. Popular dialects include Egyptian, Levantine, and Gulf Arabic. These are essential for conversational fluency in specific areas.

If you're unsure which form of Arabic to start with, it’s important to reflect on your personal goals. For example, if your goal is to understand the Quran, focusing on Quranic Arabic or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) would be ideal. On the other hand, if you're learning Arabic for travel or tourism, a local dialect might be more practical. However, I highly recommend starting with Quranic Arabic/MSA as it provides a strong foundation.

Once you’re comfortable with Quranic Arabic/MSA, picking up a dialect will be much easier. In fact, many Arabs often use more formal language when communicating with others from different regions, as their local dialects may not be universally understood. This was the approach I followed—I began with Quranic Arabic and then added the Hijazi dialect later. Thanks to the solid base I built, learning the dialect was a smooth and natural process.

Are Self-Study Tools useful?

Self-study tools such as apps and online games might help you memorise some basic vocabulary, but they’re pretty limited since they don’t dive deep into the language. Plus, you won’t get any speaking practice, homework, or real-life interaction. Don’t get me wrong, you can make some progress, but if you really want to master Arabic, you’ll need a solid program with support every step of the way.

Tips for Learning Quranic Arabic (Fusha):

See below for some of my main tips to master Arabic.

Make dua for success and sincerity

Before starting your Arabic learning journey you should make lots of supplications to Allah because all success comes from Him subhaanahu wa ta'aala. You must ask Allah to give you beneficial knowledge and righteous actions. In addition to that, I advise you to ask Allah for sincerity. Make this journey sincerely for the pleasure of Allah and not to show off to or impress others. 

Lifestyle management

Another essential tip for learning Quranic Arabic is to organise your lifestyle. From my experience, many people struggle with learning Arabic—not because the language itself is difficult, but because their lifestyle is disorganised. Irregular sleeping patterns, distractions from social media, or spending time on activities that drain energy can all hinder progress.

Before embarking on your Arabic journey, take a moment to evaluate your current routine. Identify areas where you can eliminate time-wasting habits and distractions. It’s crucial to distance yourself from people who demotivate you or drain your energy. Instead, surround yourself with fellow seekers of knowledge who inspire and motivate you. When I first began seeking knowledge, I lost some friends along the way because they weren't on the same path. Being around them would have only slowed my progress and hindered my goals. But, Alhamdulillah, Allah replaced those relationships with people who encouraged me to keep moving forward.

In summary, treat this journey seriously. Gaining knowledge requires discipline, focus, and sacrifices. By aligning your lifestyle with your goals, you’ll find that learning Quranic Arabic becomes not only more achievable but also more rewarding.

Time management

Similarly, you must block out time daily to learn Quranic Arabic. You don't have to go crazy, but you must maintain consistency and be ruthless with this. Nobody should be able contact you at this time. I found that the best time for me to study was straight after Fajr prayer. Everyone was sleeping at that time and my brain was fresh and ready to digest information. However, for you it may be different: you have to to decide when the best time to study Arabic is. The main thing is that nothing and I mean nothing should get in the way of this.

Consistency in Recitation and Practice

I want to emphasise that before you even start your journey you should learn how to recite the Quran first. Reciting the Quran regularly, memorising it, repeating verses, will not only improve your memorisation but will also perfect your pronunciation of the language. This is so crucial when it comes to speaking Arabic. I always find that Arabs comment on how well I pronounce the Arabic letters and I always tell them that all I did was learn how to read the Quran. So set aside time each day to read, listen to, and memorise Quranic verses. Trust me, this will benefit you so much! If you don't know how to read yet, then keep reading as we have the solution for you.

Enrolling on Online Arabic Courses

Once you master how to recite the Quran you will quickly realise that you don’t understand anything that you are reading which can be extremely frustrating. As a revert to Islam, I fully understand that frustration. That is why my team and I designed ‘The Arabic proficiency in 12 months course’ which is designed to help learners read and understand the Quran in its original language. Our goal is to help other Muslims truly connect with the verses of the Quran. 

Taking these structured lessons can guide you through pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, Arabic text, Quran verses and more, ensuring that you learn Arabic efficiently.

For those interested in a comprehensive course that offers everything you need as an Arabic learner then Ijaada Institute’s ‘Arabic proficiency in 12 months’ course is definitely something you should consider.

With structured lessons for all levels, from beginner to advance. Whether you're looking to learn how to read Arabic, understand it or speak it, our courses are tailored to fit your needs. You’ll be part of a vibrant community of students, have your homework marked, gain constant support and access live sessions focused solely on speaking. It’s the perfect environment to get the support you need to really make progress on your Arabic learning journey. 

Conclusion

No matter your reason for learning Arabic—whether it's for travel, work, religious studies, or simply personal enrichment—I highly recommend that you start with learning Arabic Fusha/MSA first. After that, you can branch out and choose a dialect that suits you.

If you don't know how to get started then check out the ‘Arabic proficiency in 12 months’ course that everyone is talking about.

Or if you would rather jump straight on a call to see how we can help you master Arabic once and for all then click below: