Learning Arabic

So, like most non-Arab Muslims, I want to learn Arabic. It's the language of the Qur'an, and the language of the Prophet Muhammad (alayhi salatu wa salam) so to increase my understanding of the religion, learning Arabic would be an important step. 

I have been learning Arabic for about a year, although I admit, at a very slow pace. This summer I'm going to start studying more intensively.

Here is the lowdown on some language books/packs I've bought and their pros and cons so you can see (if anyone reading is learning Arabic) if it's worth trying. 

Mastering Arabic

Jane Wightwick & Mahmoud Gaafar

PROs

- 20 easy-to-digest Units on topics such as Family, Food, Future...

- 370 illustrated pages - a lot of material

- Includes an index, grammar section and glossary

- Takes you from complete Beginner to Lower Intermediate level

- Teaches the Arabic script and handwriting in small chunks throughout the units

CONs

- To complete all the activities, separate CDs must be purchased. 

 

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Teach Yourself Arabic

J.R. Smart

PROs

- Information-heavy, much grammar.

- Great if you want to translate Arabic media like newspapers.

- Fantastic translation exercises included.

- Good explanation of the script, which is tackled first

- 300 pages of small text - rather comprehensive if you can complete it. 

CONs

- Not good for conversations, it doesn't let you know how to interact well, rather understand books, newspapers, TV shows etc.

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PROs

- 28 small units covering the basics of Arabic grammar

- Transliteration for those of us who are not so hot on the script

- Nicely laid out and easy to find particular concepts

CONs

- No exercises so it's hard to test your understanding