Online Sites for Arabic Learning

There are a number of online sites that may be helpful for Arabic learners at any stage.

Learning Vocabulary

• Quizlet– This is an easy way to organize, test, and learn new vocabulary. You can also use pre-made vocabulary sets.
• DLI Language Survival Kits– The Defense Language Institute provides “language survival kits” for a number of Arabic dialects. These kits include vocabulary lists, audio recordings to help with pronunciation, and translations of phrases. Many of the phrases are military related, but there is still a good deal of helpful vocabulary and resources for many dialects.
• Arabic Desert Sky– This site provides basic vocabulary lists for Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Egyptian dialect.
• Internet Polygot– Here you can find vocabulary lists and also play different games to learn the vocabulary.
• Arabic Dialect Dictionary– Here is a dictionary that includes terms from a variety of dialects.
• Free Arabic Dictionary and AlMaany– Both of these websites provide a free dictionary. These are useful for looking up words quickly. Al-Maany is also available as an app.
• Hans-Wehr Arabic-English dictionary– An online version of this popular dictionary is available and you can search by entering the root letters.
• Book2 Arabic– This site provides audio language courses which are focused on phrases and vocabulary.

Online Lessons

• Arabic Online– This website provides courses and materials for all levels. Not all features are free, but there are some resources and sample demos available at no cost.
• Language Transfer: Introduction to Arabic– This site offers up to 40 lessons in introductory Arabic for free.
• DLI– Courses from the Defense Language Institute are available at this site, some of which require payment, but primarily focus on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
• Tunisian Dialect– These free lessons were originally meant to be used by Peace Corps volunteers, but are a useful resource for first time learners of the Tunisian dialect.
• Moroccan Arabic Textbook– This resource was also developed by the Peace Corps and provides a comprehensive overview of the Moroccan dialect.

Grammar Resources

• Grammar Guides– This site provides detailed grammar guides, with examples, on almost all grammatical concepts in Arabic.
• All the Arabic You Never Learned the First Time Around– This site also has a very comprehensive list of grammar guides and short lessons.
• Arabic Desert Sky– This site provides grammar lessons for Egyptian Arabic.
• Speak7– This site has a many useful resources for vocabulary and grammar. This site is well suited for students at the beginning and intermediate levels.
• Qasid Learning Apps– The Qasid Arabic Institute developed several apps for Arabic learners. The “Classical Arabic Grammar” app provides video lessons about Arabic grammar. They also have apps for learning the letters and basic conversational phrases.

Opportunities for Conversation

• NaTakallam– Is not free, but Arabic learners are paired with a Syrian refugee and can work on MSA or a dialect.
• Banaat Connect- This program connects female Arabic learners with female refugees from Palestine at the Jerash Refugee Camp in Amman, Jordan. The refugees are in the process of learning English. You spend one hour talking in English and one hour talking in Arabic each week. They also provide a conversation guide and materials to guide each conversation (i.e. question prompts and vocabulary). It costs about $60 for a full semester, but they note that they are open to accomodating/discussing if financial costs are a problem.
• italki- This site also requires payment, but allows students to connect with Arabic instructors.

Listening Resources

• Ar-Podcast– This site allows you to search for Arabic language podcasts by topic. It’s an easy way to find lots of interesting podcasts!
• Aswaat Arabiyya “Arabic Voices”– This site was developed by the University of Texas at Austin and hosts Arabic videos that are categorized by six different difficulty levels, ranging from novice to superior. There are often questions and helpful materials associated with each video as well.
• Hiba Najeem– This YouTube channel includes vlogs and lessons about Lebanese Arabic.
• Arabic Language Interface– This resources if provided through Al Jazeera and provides resources for learners at all levels. The site has audio, video, and written texts categorized by level. Learners can also “ask the teacher” if questions arise about the materials or resources.

News Sources

• Online news outlets are a useful way to practice readings skills, learn new vocabulary, and stay up to speed on current events using the Arabic language. Some popular Arabic language news sites are: BBC Arabic, Al Jazeera, CNN Arabic, and France24.