Arab Academy Online Arabic Program
Learning Arabic Language online is an interactive and entertaining learning experience. Arab Academy offers online courses for all levels and age groups-ranging from Modern Standard Arabic, Colloquial Arabic and Arabic courses that focus on Qur’an.
Arab Academy offers 16 language levels. When you register, you are given a form to fill with information on your interests and background in Arabic. Accordingly, our advisor places you in a course that suits your interests and level. Once you complete the requirements of a course, we move you to the following one. Along with the Modern Standard Arabic courses, we offer specialized Arabic courses in Islamic Arabic and Business Arabic.
It takes an average of 3 months to complete 1 level. This requires at least 6 hours per week. When you register, you are given a username and a password that allow you access to the course at any time and in any place. You study at your own pace, based on your own schedule.
Arab Academy has a unique learning strategy. Courses include a balance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as grammar, vocabulary, idioms, and culture. Students begin each unit with a level-appropriate text for listening and/or reading, then continue on to lessons built around aspects of that text, such as vocabulary, specific grammatical structures, link words (conjunctions), and morphology.
These lessons build on each other and spiral through the curriculum (10 language levels). After the main text and each lesson, students practice the learning points with interactive exercises that address multiple learning styles. Lessons and exercises may be repeated as often as desired. Feedback is immediate for most exercises while a few elicit correction by our teachers. Each unit or session ends with a composition in Arabic and an online exam.
The teachers monitor your progress, respond to your questions, correct your compositions, then meet with you for a one to one 50-minute speaking session each week. They will move on your pace and help you with any difficulties that you may have with your course, in addition to correcting your pronunciation and helping to develop your confidence with speaking the language.
It is a well-structured program that has guaranteed results for serious learners of Arabic.
Things to Know Before Traveling to Egypt
A trip to Egypt!!
It’s no wonder why one would want to visit Egypt. Between the ancient temples and monuments, the world- famous Pyramids, the beautiful red- sea and a unique culture and language, Egypt is one of the world’s great marvels. Here are some things to consider before you embark on your journey:
Climate: Egypt is hot, like Las Vegas or Arizona which is why it’s not recommended to go from June- August. If you plan to visit in the spring, temperatures are nice; however it can be very windy. September- February is quite possibly the best time to go, but it’s also high season for tourists.
Passports: A passport and visa are required to enter Egypt. Tourists can obtain a renewable 30-day tourist visa on arrival at an Egyptian airport for a $15 fee. For more information, visit the Arab Republic of Egypt Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Money: The conversion rate is $1= 6.03 Egyptian pounds. ATM cards can also be used in major cities, as can Visa and Mastercards. Carry some extra cash at all times for tipping. Keep you money close to your body or in a safe area to avoid getting pick pocketed at all times.
Culture: Egypt is a Muslim country, so naturally there are things you need to respect about the people and culture before you go. Public Affection is a no- no. No kissing in public. If you are a woman, don’t be over- friendly to men and wear sunglasses to avoid direct eye contact with men so you aren’t receiving unwanted attention. Also women’s shoulders and upper arms should be covered. Loose pants or long skirts are your best bet and high heels are not recommended (mostly because of all the walking you’ll be doing).
Shopping: Use bartering skills. Many of the items people will try to sell you will be 3 times the amount they are worth. Be okay with walking away and saying “no thanks.”
Taxi: Ask the front desk at the hotel/restaurant for a taxi. These people know taxi drivers they trust.
Water: Drink bottled water and drink a lot of it.
Language: Arabic is the official language of Egypt. You can learn the Arabic alphabet through our website or simply brush up on common phrases. Egyptians will appreciate you trying to speak their language.
Hi! ……. Salam!
How are you? ……. Kaifa haloka/ haloki ( female)
Good bye! ……. Ma’a salama
I’m lost ……. Ada’tu tareeqi!
How much is this? ……. Kam howa thamanoh? (th as in bath)
Laws: Like in America, it’s illegal to drink in the streets and you can only drink at places that have the equivalent of an Egyptian liquor license. Don’t take any photos of military sites or officials and respect the Muslim culture.
The great thing about traveling to other places, especially Egypt is that you’ll learn a whole new way of life, habits and a different mentality. While respecting the differences from your own culture you will gain a great appreciation and passion for life.
Posted in Discover Egypt | 
Tags: Arabic Lessons, Arabic Speaking Countries, Discover, Egypt, Explore, Learn Arabic, Tourists | Comments »
Students from the University of Manchester talking about their Study Abroad Experience at Arab Academy
The University of Manchester sends students to Arab Academy in Cairo to study Arabic. Students interviewed each other on their study experience in Cairo.
Interview 1:
Faiza Azeem asked Sara Ali questions on her study experience at Arab Academy in Egypt.
1. Accommodation in Cairo
2. Comparing Arab Academy to the University of Manchester
3. Quality of Teaching at Arab Academy
4. How Students Spend the Rest of the Day after Classes – Transportation in Cairo
5. Recommended Places to Visit Outside of Cairo
6. Tahrir Square
7. Egyptian People
Interview 2:
Jonathon Martynski is asking Imogen Townley questions on her study experience at Arab Academy in Cairo.
1. Weather in Cairo
2. Where to live
3. Arab Academy Course Structure
4. Egyptian Dialect
Arab Photo Competition
Arab Academy announces an “Arab Photo Competition” open to all those studying Arabic as a foreign language. The photos should relate to the Arab world.
Who may participate?
Students of Arabic as a Foreign Language.
When is the entry deadline?
30 May 2012
What is the objective of this competition?
To encourage non-Arabs to learn more about the riches of the Arab region and understand the diverse cultures of the Middle East.
What are the requirements?
1. Search for a photo that relates to the Arab world, and prepare a comment.
2. Post your comment and upload the photo to Arab Academy’s fan page:
Who are the jury?
** The jury are the friends. The comment and photo that gets more likes on the Arab Academy facebook page wins.
15 June 2012. Winners will be notified by email.
What are the prizes?
** First Prize: 1 month of free tuition at Arab Academy in Cairo, Egypt + accommodation.
** Second Prize: 1 month of free tuition at Arab Academy in Cairo, Egypt.
** Third Prize: 6 months of free online Arabic language tuition
Posted in Arabic Courses, Arabic Lessons | Tags: Arabic Lessons, Competition, Learn Arabic, Offer | Comments »
History of the Arabic Language
Arabic is now the 6th most spoken language in the world and is spoken by more than 200 million people worldwide. Arabic started off as a language that was only spoken by a small population. Nomadic tribes would travel around the Arabian Peninsula and speak Arabic, a language they were very proud of. Prose, poetry and oral literature were common ways to communicate through Arabic in those times.
Arabic is a “Semitic,” language and is most closely related to Aramaic and Hebrew. Other Semitic languages include Maltese, Mehri, Phoenician and Tigrinya. Semitic languages are based on a consonantal root system. Every word in Arabic is derived from one or another root word (most likely a verb).
By the 7th Century A.D., Arabic started to spread to the Middle East as many people started to convert to Islam. During this time of religious conversions, Arabic replaced many South Arabian languages, most of which are no longer commonly spoken or understood languages.
Arabic is the official language of many countries in the Middle East such as Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. It is also one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
There are three forms of Arabic; Qur’anical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, and Colloquial Arabic. Qur’anical Arabic is not used in conversation or in non- religious writing and Modern Standard Arabic is the official language of the Arabic world. Colloquial Arabic refers to Arabic that is spoken with a dialect.
There are more than 30 different forms of Colloquial or Spoken Arabic. Some of the dialects that are the most common are Egyptian Arabic, Algerian Arabic, Sudanese Arabic and North Levantine Arabic. Some dialects can be so strong that although people are speaking the same language it’s hard to communicate. When this happens, Arabic speakers revert back to speaking the Modern Standard Arabic. Modern Arabic is used for TV, films, plays, poetry and in books. Arabic Courses learnt at the Arab Academy is taught in the Modern Standard form.
Arabic is a language that can be transformed to adapt to new words that need to be created because of science or technology. However, the written Arabic language has seen no change in the alphabet, spelling or vocabulary in at least 4 millenniums.
Marriage in the Arabic Culture
While the different cultures throughout the Middle East all have different customs and traditions for marriages, there are some elements that are fairly common between them. While some of them may be quite familiar to people in the west, other activities may be completely new. Whatever the actual ceremonies and celebrations are, though, a wedding is an exciting time, and a lot of these traditions have been a major part of the Arabic culture for a very long time.
Arranged Marriages
Arranged marriages are still quite common in the Arabic world. These are not forced marriages, as is sometimes believed, but a marriage that is arranged by the parents in which the children give their willing consent. And, of course, the groom-to-be can often provide some very strong suggestions as to who he would be most willing to consider. Many other arranged marriages are simply a matter of formalizing the situation for a couple that already knows each other.
The Marriage Contract
The marriage contract is an extremely important step in the marriage process. It must be signed in front of witnesses, and it will outline the specific responsibilities of each party. This could include several monetary conditions, like the dowry and what happens in case of a divorce. In many cases, the signing of the contract will be followed by a large celebration.
Celebrations
There are often multiple celebrations leading up to the actual wedding ceremony. There is the engagement celebration that is usually held in the bride’s family’s home where the groom may formally ask for the bride’s hand. Then there is the party after the marriage contract is signed, and all of this happens before Henna night. This party could be compared to a bachelorette party in the west, in that only women are invited to this event. There may be dancing and refreshments, but the main event, so to speak, is the woman who draws the Mehndi on the bride’s and guests’ feet and hands. This is a type of temporary tattoo in some very intricate and beautiful designs.
The Wedding Reception
The wedding reception is, of course, what all of this has been leading to, and there are a lot of different customs for this event. In rural areas you may see a lot of traditions that are not unlike what happens in the west. Speeches, dances, and singing are common, and the bride and groom may even cut the layered wedding cake and throw a bouquet of flowers. Out in more rural areas you may come across more reserved events, or ceremonies that have a little more traditional setting. In addition to trying to learn the Arabic language another way to better undersand the culture is to attend a wedding if you ever get the chance.
Main Arabic Dialects
What are the main Arabic Dialects?
Students wishing to learn Arabic -especially colloquial Arabic- are faced with so many options and dialects. Whereas Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the same throughout the Arab world, the dialects vary according to the geographical location. The further away the countries, the greater the variation between the dialects. In a broad sense there is a wide difference between the dialects of eastern countries (Arabian Peninsula) and dialects of western countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and western Libya). Dialects in the Middle East, may be broadly classified as follows:
- Dialects of Egypt and Sudan
- Dialects of the Arabian Peninsula
- Dialects of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine
- Dialects of Iraq
- Dialects of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and western Libya
Within each category, further sub-classification takes place, depending amongst other factors – on the location, level of education, and degree of urbanization.
Arabic Language
- How Many People Use Arabic Today?
Arabic is the native language of 220 million people living in 22 Arab countries. It was declared an official language of the UN in January 1974. The 6 official languages at the UN are: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Arabic is also the language in which Islam’s holy book, the Quran, was revealed. Hence, it is the liturgical language of the nearly one billion Muslims around the world, who comprise 20% of the world’s population. Muslims today are spread across more than 60 countries.
- What is Classical Arabic?
- What is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)?
- What is Colloquial Arabic?
- What Has Made it Possible to preserve Classical Arabic for so Long?
The fact that a language has survived for fourteen hundred years, over such a vast area of land, and spoken by so many different people is a miracle in its own right.
What has stood against the fragmentation of Classical Arabic into different languages?
The presence of the Classical Arabic ‘model’ document – the sacred Quran. The Quran has driven Muslims to learn Arabic; it has been read, recited, analyzed and studied by all Muslims throughout the centuries. The establishment of codified rules for Classical Arabic and the great emphasis given to mastering these rules were instrumental factors in the continued survival of the language.
A lecture on Human & Minority Rights in Islam
Arab Academy’s on-campus students had an exciting lecture on Human & Minority Rights in Islam given by Prof. Ahmed Abou el-Wafa, the head of International Law Department, Law School, Cairo University.
In Islam, non-Muslim minorities receive rights and privileges that include:
- Minorities’ right to freedom of belief
- Warning against doing non-Muslims injustice
- Protection of non-Muslims’ funds
Popular Arabic Cuisine
Popular Arabic Cuisine
While Arabic cuisine differs greatly from region to region, there is one ingredient that no meal can go without: hospitality. Most meals in this area are as much about being hospitable and generous with others as they are about the actual menu. There are some customs at the table, too, and when you learn the Arabic language you’ll know just what to say (and how to say it) to make sure you enjoy the whole experience. Of course, over the years, Arabic cuisine has developed a very unique flavor that features the best of Mediterranean, Middle Easten, and Indian influences. Many of the most common dishes served in this area make use of ingredients not often used in the United States. This could include everything from lentils and fava beans to sesame seed oil and saffron. Some of these ingredients are just starting to become more popular in the west, but experiencing real Arabic cuisine is an experience you don’t want to miss. 
Common Foods and Dishes A lot of the cuisine in these areas will be filled with various fruits and vegetables. Most of the fruits are of the citrus variety, but the vegetables can include everything from cucumbers and eggplant to green beans and zucchini. Meats are also common in many dishes, but it is most often lamb or chicken. (Muslim Arabs don’t eat pork or drink alcohol, so you won’t see those very often except in the regions where other denominations live.) Tea is usually the most popular beverage in the area and is consumed quite regularly. Of course the exact type of tea is also dependent on the region, with places like Egypt serving a black and sweet tea while in Yemen you might be more likely to enjoy a milk tea. On the dairy side, you are likely to see a lot of yoghurt and white cheese. The yogurt of the region is made from sheep, cow, or goat milk, and it might be diluted with water to create a refreshing beverage or thickened to make it a tasty condiment. Most importantly, though, is the delicious bread which is pretty much an essential element of any table setting. There are a huge variety of breads, and they may be mixed in with other dishes or simply set out as a side, but it is almost always there and always tasty.
Some Regional Differences Arabic cuisine has been influenced by many different cultures, and the resulting specialty dishes of these regions have their own unique characteristics. In Egypt, for example, the cuisine leans vegetarian, and you can try the classic falafel or kushari. Sudan, on the other hand, usually goes pretty heavy on the spices, and their “mullah” is a very flavorful stew you won’t forget. And in Yemen you’ll find less emphasis on dairy, and you can try the saltah, a meaty dish filled with many different ingredients.
A Cultural Experience One of the best ways to start experiencing a culture is to sample the cuisine. Your Arabic course will get you started, teach you the language and some of the history, but don’t miss out on your chance to try something from the region for yourself. A lot of people are hesitant to try foods that are a little different from their everyday menu, but it’s a great first step into a different culture and some incredibly tasty cuisine.
Posted in Arabic Food, Arabic Lessons, Discover Egypt | Tags: Arabic Culture, Arabic Food, Arabic Lessons, Egypt, Fava Beans, Learn Arabic | Comments »
