Introduction

Learning Arabic is a journey that many are interested in embarking upon whether for personal, professional, or religious reasons. A lot of people want to know how hard Arabic is to learn and I thought in this blog I would try my best to discuss some of the challenges associated with learning Arabic and provide some effective strategies for overcoming these obstacles.

The Complexity of the Arabic Language (common challenges in learning Arabic)

Different Arabic Dialects

One of the main problems I faced when learning Arabic is trying to understand the different Arabic dialects. Arabic is a diverse language with numerous dialects spoken across different regions. From the Maghrebi dialects in North Africa (one of the most difficult in my opinion) to the Levantine dialects in the Eastern Mediterranean, the variety can be overwhelming. Each dialect has its own unique vocabulary, pronunciation, and usage, adding layers of complexity to the language learning process. I mean, just imagine learning several different ways of saying ‘I want’ and having to memorise them! But subhaanaAllah it does get easier as you go along.

Classical Arabic (Fusha vs. Colloquial Arabic)

Classical Arabic (Fusha), which has evolved into what some refer to as Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), is the formal version of the language. MSA is used in writing, media, and formal speech. Colloquial Arabic, on the other hand, varies significantly from one region to another and is used in everyday conversations. It can be challenging for a lot of people to decide which one to learn first. I always recommend Learning classical Arabic (Fusha) first and I have listed a few reasons why below:

1.  Classical Arabic (Fusha) has become a Standardized Language which is widely understood across all Arabic-speaking countries.

2.  Classical Arabic (Fusha) is the foundation for Dialects. In short, all dialects stem from Fusha. I personally found that once I mastered Fusha it was so much easier to learn dialects.

3. You will gain access to Literature and Media, religious texts and the Quran: If you are someone who wants to gain access to classing texts, the Quran, literature, and modern writings then you MUST start by learning classical Arabic. I have seen Arab who’ve grown up in the west, therefore attending English schools struggling to understand formal texts. They may be able to communicate somewhat in their local dialect, but because they do not know classical Arabic, they are prevented from delving into Arabic literature, the Quran and classical texts, which prevents them from really experiencing the beauty of the language. Learning dialects can only get you so far.

4. I would also argue that Fusha is easier to learn. This is because there are more books teaching classical Arabic then there are for dialects.

Grammar and Syntax

• Complex Grammar Rules: Arabic grammar is notoriously known for being a difficult language due to its complex grammar. However, I truly believe that it goes back to the teacher that you are learning from and curriculum that you are following. Sometimes one teacher can make a simple concept difficult to understand while another can make a difficult concept easy to understand.

• Verb Conjugations and Sentence Structure: The verb conjugation system in Arabic is extensive, with numerous forms depending on tense, mood, and subject. Although this can be challenging for some, if you follow a bitesize learning approach, like what I have implemented in Ijaada Institute, you will prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed inshaaAllah.

• Case Endings: Classical and Modern Standard Arabic use case endings to indicate the grammatical function of nouns, which requires learners to memorize and correctly apply them. The good news is that in everyday speaking nobody pays importance to the endings and merely end them with a sukoon.

• Dual Form: In addition to singular and plural forms, Arabic also has a dual form for exactly two items, which adds another layer of complexity.

Vocabulary

• Rich and Extensive Vocabulary: Arabic boasts a vast and rich vocabulary, which can be daunting for learners. The language has many words with similar meanings, each with its own nuances. The number one solution for this though is just to increase your exposure to the Arabic language. Also, you must be patient! Just keep chipping away day in day out until you get there. It doesn’t matter if it takes one year, two years, three years etc. The main thing is that you remain consistent, placing your reliance upon Allah and never give up.

Script and Orthography, and pronunciation

Arabic Script: Arabic script is cursive, and letters change shape based on their position in a word (initial, medial, final, and isolated forms). In the beginning, this took me a while to get my head around.

Diacritics: Vowel (harakaat) are often represented by diacritics (harakaat/tashkeel) rather than full letters. We see these vowel signs in the Quran which makes it so easy to read the Quran while not understanding it. However, in everyday writing, the vowel signs are often omitted making reading more challenging for beginners. Therefore, you must start by reading books that show the vowel signs and then slowly progress to reading without them. I kind of look at vowel signs as stabilisers on a bike; you need them in the beginning to get used to balancing on a bike but eventually, you can remove them and ride independently.

Right-to-Left Writing: Adjusting to writing and reading from right to left can be a significant shift for those accustomed to left-to-right scripts.  For some people this may cause issues but in my experience, this never caused me problems alhamdolillaah.

Difficult Sounds and Pronunciation: The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters, some of which have sounds that do not exist in other languages. Mastering these sounds and their correct pronunciation can be challenging. I remember the first time sitting down trying to master some of the Arabic letters that are pronounced from the throat. I would sit there day after day literally straining my throat just exercise the necessary muscles needed to pronounce that letter.

Factors Influencing Difficulty

Native Language

The ease of learning Arabic can vary depending on your native language. Speakers of languages that share similarities with Arabic, such as Persian or Urdu, may find certain aspects easier to grasp, while those from vastly different linguistic backgrounds might face more challenges.

L1 interference

Ones native language can differ dramatically to Arabic. I find that some students, in the early stages of learning Arabic, may begin to speak Arabic but in a way that is not used by the Arab; we call this L1 (first language) interference. You are basically speaking Arabic but in your native language style. To get to an advanced level in Arabic you need to rewire your brain to say things the way Arab say it. No doubt, this needs a lot of practice and constant feedback/corrections from native speakers. However, just embrace the Arab style of speaking and do not try to aggressively fit Arabic into your native style of speaking.

Learning Environment

Limited Exposure: For those not living in an Arabic-speaking country, finding opportunities to practise speaking and listening can be difficult. One of the best things you can do is try to maximise any opportunity you have. When I started my Arabic journey, I would try to find anybody I knew who spoke Arabic and just practice with them. I would also try to download Arabic lectures, podcasts etc and listen to them while on the go to ensure that I am spending a good portion of my day exposed to Arabic: I even translated my phone to Arabic! Do whatever it takes to create an Arabic environment for yourself!

Motivation and Consistency

Consistency: Regular practice is essential for language acquisition, and maintaining motivation and consistency over the long term can be challenging. Although I really believe that if you want to master a language you need to look at your lifestyle first. Do you find it difficult to stick to a routine? Do you waste time? Are you addicted to social media, TV, playing games etc? What other distractions do you have in your life? There must be a period of time where you lock off distractions a take a serious step towards mastering Arabic. All those hours that are wasted on things that bring about minimal benefit to your life can be utilised to help you master Arabic. Distractions are what hinder us from making serious progress in life. The more we can reduce these distractions the easier it will be for us to focus on learning a new language.

Overwhelming Content/difficult courses:

I find that some courses make Arabic seem harder than what it is. The number of courses that I have seen that are poorly laid out or lack clear explanations is just crazy. So many courses just throw students in at the deep end or are so basic that students don’t advance.

Strategies to Overcome Challenges

While learning Arabic presents many challenges, several strategies can help overcome them. I have listed some as we have gone along, however, I will summarise the main ones below:

Learning Resources

Utilize a variety of learning resources, including books, language apps, online courses, and multimedia materials. Don’t stick to just one resource.

Practice and Immersion

Consistent practice and real-life application are essential. Engage in conversations with native speakers, watch Arabic media, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible.

Overcome the fear of making mistakes

One of the most important factors preventing people, in particular when trying to master speaking, is the fear of making mistakes. You must realise that making mistakes is all part of the journey. If you are anything like me, then you may dread the thought of sounding like a ‘freshy’ or getting things wrong. However, you need to remember that even native speakers in the early stages of their lives had to make mistakes. It is impossible to master anything without making mistakes in the initial stages of your journey. You need to look at mistakes as a ‘learning curve, embrace them and do not feel embarrassed. The face that you have taken this journey is an amazing thing, so be proud of yourself for taking that leap and do not hinder your progress with shyness of making mistakes.

Mujāhid b. Jabr [d 104H/722CE] said the following:

لا يَتَعَلَّمُ العِلمَ مُستَحيٍ وَلا مُستَكبِر

One who is shy or arrogant cannot learn.
(al-Bukhārī in his Chapter Headings)

If you ever travel to an Arab country remember that the person that you are trying to speak to will probably never see you again. It will be the first and last time that you see that person.

Professional Guidance

Learning with a qualified instructor (preferably someone who has embarked on this journey also) can provide valuable guidance, feedback, and support. Professional teachers can help clarify complex grammar points and correct pronunciation errors.

Structured Courses

Enrolling in a structured course, like that offered by Ijaada Institute, can provide a clear learning path, and take away the hard work of trying to fill in the gaps by yourself. Trust me, I spent so long trying to allocate where my gaps were and then searching for resources to try and fill them.

Success Stories

Testimonials

Alhamdolillah, by the grace of Allah, we have helped many students to learn Arabic despite the challenges the one may face. For instance, Sarah, a student at Ijaada Institute, told us that despite "Starting with zero knowledge, I can now read and understand Quranic verses. The structured course and supportive community made all the difference."

How Ijaada Institute Can Help?

• Course Structure: Ijaada Institute offers comprehensive Arabic that helps you to progress in a structured way. We use bitesize techniques to ensure that you are not getting overwhelmed as you go along.
• Experienced Instructors: Our instructors are highly qualified and experienced in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers.
• Flexible Learning: We provide various learning formats, including self-paced study, live online classes, to ensure that you have no excuse. The system works; all you have to do is follow it!
• Online community – We provide you with access to our private community where students can hand in homework, get feedback, questions answered and communicate with other students who are similar to themselves.

Learning Arabic is undoubtedly challenging, but with the right approach, resources, and support, it is an achievable and rewarding goal.

At Ijaada Institute, we are committed to helping you navigate this journey successfully.