Learning Arabic from scratch as an adult is impossible right? That’s actually incorrect!
With the right frame of mind, study plan, and dedication, adults can learn even complex languages without any prior knowledge.
The idea of learning Arabic from scratch puts lots of people off every year. However, we are here to breakdown this concern. We believe beginner level study should provide a solid foundation that advanced learning can be built upon.
Why Learning Arabic from Scratch Can Be Challenging for Adults
The term, ‘learning from scratch’, can confuse some people as many believe you have to at least know the basics to start studying. That simply isn’t the case.
Adults often perceive Arabic difficult to learn from scratch because of the following:
Unable to Learn Outside of Lessons: In the UK, it can be hard for students to practise outside the classroom. The perception is therefore that students cannot aid their own study. This isn’t the case as there are actually plenty of tools available online.
Busy Schedules Limit Success: Any language can be challenging for adults to learn due to time constraints and the importance of other priorities, such as family or work. The reality is that group or private lessons can be planned around other commitments.
The Core Skills are Impossible to Master: For many, Arabic consists of unfamiliar sounds, scripts, and verb patterns. As this is outside of many peoples comfort zones, there is a perception that the basic skills are impossible to learn. That’s not correct. With the right teacher support, anything is possible.
By taking time to select a professional beginner-level course, students are given basic skills. This then means advanced learning can take place easily.
Advantages of Learning Arabic as an Adult
Although we’ve outlined some challenges, learning Arabic as an adult is achievable. In fact, there are many advantages to waiting until later in life to learn this language.
Firstly, adult learners have stronger discipline, motivation, and real-life experiences that all contribute to successful study. Stronger learning strategies can also be adopted as older learners know what style of study works best for them.
Adults can also successfully learn Arabic from scratch as there are a wide range of resources available to support study outside of the classroom. Being able to take control of personal study is highly empowering as this allows students to progress naturally. Older students also benefit from having advanced cognitive skills. Benefits of this include strong memory, enhanced pattern recognition skills, developed metacognition, and a deeper understanding of language rules.
The main benefit is that adult learners are able to establish a deeper understanding of rules whereas children simply memorise it.
The Best Way to Learn Arabic as an Adult
If you’re ready to learn Arabic from scratch, the best method for complete beginners is to enrol in a basic-level course.
This is essential as the last thing anyone wants is to build a foundation that’s not accurate. Our beginner-level Arabic course teaches students the initial skills needed to become fully proficient in the language. This includes everything from writing the alphabet to mastering basic pronunciation. Get started today.


