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Hussein Ghaly

Learning Arabic is challenging in many ways. This course focuses on building the skill to read any Arabic word, by both learning the alphabet, including learning the name, sound, and shapes of each letter. In addition, the diacritics that guide the pronunciation of words are also explained. Finally, major prefixes and suffixes are also introduced. After you complete this course, you will be able to recognize the letters of any word and sound it out, which is the first step to read Arabic script.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Reading arabic words
  • Learning arabic alphabet
  • Recognizing arabic letters
  • Learning arabic sounds
  • Learning arabic diacritics
  • 200+ arabic vocabulary words

Syllabus

Introduction

Challenges related to reading Arabic, and what we will learn to address these challenges.

Understand the Alphabet

Learn the letters of the alphabet, when you finish, do the attached quiz

Read more
The letter alif

How well can you recognize the letter alif in any word?

The letters baa2 - taa2 - thaa2 - taa2 marbootah
The letters jeem - 7aa2 - khaa2
The letters daal - dhaal - raa2 - zaay
The letters seen - sheen - ssaad - ddaad
The letters ttaa2- dhaa2 - 3ayn - ghayn
The letters faa2- qaaf - kaaf - laam
The letters meem - noon - haa2
The letters waaw - yaa2 - hamzah

Make sure you do the quizzes that are included in the "external resources" for each lecture. Then answer the questions in this quiz

Understand diacritics/harakaat/tashkeel
What are diacritics?
Diacritics with Letters alif through khaa2
Diacritics with Letters daal through ddaad
Diacritics with Letters ttaa2 through qaaf
Diacritics with Letters kaaf through yaa2
(Bonus) Tanween
learn about main prefixes and suffixes in Arabic
The prefix al-, wa- and suffix -ah
Consolidate your knowledge with the alphabet, diacritics and affixes
Sounding it out
What about words without diacritics?
Conclusion

Using our knowledge of alphabet and diacritics, let's try to sound out these words

Bonus Lecture

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches foundational Arabic reading skills, which is important for anyone who wants to learn Arabic
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Arabic alphabet, diacritics, and prefixes/suffixes, which builds a strong foundation
Emphasizes sounding out words, which helps learners develop pronunciation skills
Taught by Hussein Ghaly, who has a strong reputation as an Arabic language instructor

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Basic Arabic Reading with these activities:
Revisit Arabic alphabet and pronunciation
Strengthen your foundation by reviewing the Arabic alphabet and pronunciation. This will ensure a solid base for further learning in the course.
Browse courses on Arabic Alphabet
Show steps
  • Review the Arabic alphabet and its pronunciation
  • Practice reading and writing the letters
Join an Arabic language exchange group
Immerse yourself in a supportive learning environment by joining an Arabic language exchange group. Interact with native speakers and practice your skills.
Show steps
  • Find an Arabic language exchange group online or in your community
  • Attend meetings regularly
  • Participate actively in discussions and conversations
Utilize Arabic language learning applications
Experiment with various Arabic language learning applications to identify those that best suit your learning style and complement the course materials.
Show steps
  • Explore different Arabic language learning apps
  • Choose an app that aligns with your learning preferences
  • Dedicate time to practice regularly
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Design flashcards for Arabic vocabulary
Create your own flashcards to reinforce your understanding of Arabic vocabulary. This will help you actively recall and retain new words.
Show steps
  • Identify key vocabulary from the course
  • Design flashcards with the word on one side and its meaning on the other
  • Regularly review and quiz yourself using the flashcards
Practice Arabic pronunciation with a language partner
Find a language partner to practice speaking and listening to Arabic. This will enhance your pronunciation and fluency.
Show steps
  • Find a native Arabic speaker or fluent learner
  • Schedule regular practice sessions
  • Focus on pronunciation and conversation
Explore Arabic grammar through a reference book
Supplement your understanding of Arabic grammar by referring to a comprehensive reference book. This will provide a deeper insight into the language's structure and usage.
Show steps
  • Acquire a reputable Arabic grammar reference book
  • Review the grammar rules and examples
  • Complete exercises to test your understanding
Develop a presentation on Arabic diacritics
Reinforce your understanding of Arabic diacritics by creating a presentation. This will help you organize and synthesize your knowledge.
Show steps
  • Review the different types of Arabic diacritics
  • Create a visual presentation that explains their usage
  • Practice delivering the presentation
Translate a short Arabic text into English
Test your reading comprehension and vocabulary by translating a short Arabic text. This will challenge your understanding and push you to apply your skills.
Show steps
  • Find a short Arabic text
  • Translate the text into English
  • Review your translation for accuracy

Career center

Learners who complete Basic Arabic Reading will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Arabic Translator
As an Arabic Translator, your job is to translate written or spoken Arabic into English, and vice versa. Today, many businesses operate globally, meaning that there is a need for translators, and because Arabic is a difficult language, qualified translators are needed. This course, Basic Arabic Reading, can help you to enter this field by teaching you to sound out words, including those without diacritics. You will also learn about the Arabic Alphabet, its letters, and sounds, all of which will be invaluable to you as an Arabic Translator.
Arabic Librarian
As an Arabic Librarian, your job is to manage and maintain a collection of Arabic books and other materials, as well as to assist patrons with finding and using these materials. This may involve answering reference questions, providing readers advisory services, or teaching classes on Arabic language and literature. This course, Basic Arabic Reading, can help you to enter this field by providing you with the foundational skills you need to read and understand Arabic texts. You will also learn about Arabic grammar and syntax, which will be helpful for you in your work as an Arabic Librarian.
Arabic Translator and Interpreter
As an Arabic Translator and Interpreter, you work with people from different cultures and backgrounds. You help them communicate with each other by translating spoken and written words from one language to another. This job requires fluency in both Arabic and English, as well as a deep understanding of both cultures. This course, Basic Arabic Reading, can help you to enter this field by providing you with the skills you need to read and understand Arabic texts. You will also learn about Arabic grammar and syntax, which will be helpful for you in your work as an Arabic Translator and Interpreter.
Arabic Calligrapher
As an Arabic Calligrapher, your job is to create beautiful Arabic calligraphy for use in a variety of applications, such as religious texts, greeting cards, and invitations. This course, Basic Arabic Reading, can help you to enter this field by providing you with the skills you need to read and understand Arabic texts. You will also learn about Arabic grammar and syntax, which will be helpful for you in your work as an Arabic Calligrapher.
Arabic Speech Pathologist
As an Arabic Speech Pathologist, your job is to work with people who have speech or language difficulties. This includes people with developmental disorders, such as autism, as well as people who have had a stroke or brain injury, or who have difficulty processing language and speech. When you work with Arabic-speaking clients, your knowledge of spoken and written Arabic, as well as the Arabic alphabet and grammar, gained through this course, Basic Arabic Reading, will be indispensable.
Arabic Language Arts Teacher
As an Arabic Language Arts Teacher, your job is to teach students about the Arabic language and its literature. You will develop lesson plans, teach grammar and vocabulary, and evaluate student progress. This course, Basic Arabic Reading, can help you to enter this field by providing you with the skills you need to read and understand Arabic texts. You will also learn about Arabic grammar and syntax, which will be helpful for you in your work as an Arabic Language Arts Teacher.
Arabic Editor
As an Arabic Editor, you are responsible for reviewing and editing Arabic-language texts to ensure that they are clear, concise, and error-free. You may work for a publishing house, a magazine, or a website. This course, Basic Arabic Reading, provides foundational knowledge to those who wish to become an Arabic Editor. You will learn the basics of Arabic grammar and syntax, as well as how to identify and correct errors in Arabic texts. This will give you the skills you need to be successful in this role.
Arabic Linguist
The job of an Arabic Linguist is to study the Arabic language and its many dialects, grammar, syntax, and semantics. You will also analyze written and spoken Arabic. Linguists who specialize in Arabic will often work in fields that require specific knowledge of the language, culture, and history of Arabic-speaking nations and peoples. The skills and knowledge you will gain by completing this course, Basic Arabic Reading, will provide essential support to you as you work to become certified as an Arabic Linguist.
Arabic Language Teacher
As an Arabic Language Teacher, your primary responsibility is to help your students learn the Arabic language, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. You will prepare lesson plans, teach grammar and vocabulary, and evaluate student progress. Those who want to teach Arabic as a second language will find that this course will have provided them with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Arabic reading and grammar.
Arabic Journalist
As an Arabic Journalist, it is your job to research, write, and report on news and current events. You may work for a newspaper, magazine, website, or television or radio station. This course, Basic Arabic Reading, can help you to enter this field by providing you with the skills you need to read and understand Arabic-language news sources. You will also learn about Arabic grammar and syntax, which will be helpful for you in your work as an Arabic Journalist.
Arabic Software Developer
In your role as an Arabic Software Developer, your job is to develop software and applications that are used by Arabic-speaking people. This may include developing software for businesses, governments, or individuals. Some Arabic Software Developers may also work on developing software for language learning, or for translating documents or websites into Arabic. The skills you gain through this course, Basic Arabic Reading, will enable you to build a strong foundation in the Arabic language and grammar. This will help you in your career as an Arabic Software Developer, especially when working on projects that are Arabic-language specific.
Arabic Interpreter
In your job as an Arabic Interpreter, your goal is to help individuals who do not speak English and Arabic to communicate with one another. You will complete this task by listening to one person speak, then translating what they said into the language of the person you are interpreting for. You will also do the reverse, translating from one language into another. This can be useful in many different situations, such as in a professional setting or during medical visits. By completing this course, Basic Arabic Reading, you will gain the fundamental skills you need to pursue a career as an Arabic Interpreter. You will learn to recognize and sound out Arabic words, and develop a strong understanding of Arabic diacritics.
Arabic Web Developer
As an Arabic Web Developer, it is your job to develop and maintain websites and web applications for Arabic-speaking users. This may involve designing the website, writing code, or ensuring that the website is accessible to users with disabilities. Familiarity with the Arabic language, such as you will gain through this course, Basic Arabic Reading, will make you a more effective Arabic Web Developer. You will be able to understand the needs of your users and create websites that are both useful and appealing.
Arabic Poet
As an Arabic Poet, your job is to write poems in Arabic. Your poems may be about a variety of topics, such as love, loss, nature, and politics. This course, Basic Arabic Reading, can help you to enter this field by providing you with the skills you need to read and understand Arabic texts. You will also learn about Arabic grammar and syntax, which will be helpful for you in your work as an Arabic Poet.
Arabic Novelist
Novelists write a wide variety of books, but common to all novelists is the desire to tell a story through characters and plot. While a novelist can write in any style and about any topic, it is essential that they have a strong command of the language in which they are writing. This course may be of some use to those who are interested in writing novels in Arabic, as it teaches the basics of Arabic reading and grammar.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Basic Arabic Reading.
This grammar provides a comprehensive overview of Arabic grammar. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the Arabic language.
This dictionary valuable resource for students who want to look up the meaning of Arabic words.
Provides a concise and clear overview of Arabic grammar. It valuable resource for students who want to learn the basics of Arabic grammar.
Provides an overview of Arabic poetry, from its origins to the present day. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about Arabic poetry.
This collection of essays explores the history, development, and variations of Arabic script. It provides a broader perspective on the evolution and significance of the Arabic writing system, complementing the course's focus on reading Arabic words.
This historical account examines the role of the Arabic language in shaping the development of Islamic civilization. It provides a broader context for understanding the significance and influence of Arabic reading and writing.
This comprehensive overview of Arabic language and culture provides a general introduction to the subject, offering insights that can complement the course's focus on reading.

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