Deciding to learn a new language is a very amazing thing, and Arabic is one such language that is very unique and different. Maybe you want to go on a vacation to Sharm El Sheikh or a business trip to Cairo, and therefore you have decided to learn Arabic and the first question that popped in your mind is How much time will it take to learn Arabic. However, there is no particular timeline that tells you how long it will take because it depends on a lot of factors. And it largely depends on you. Everybody learns at a different pace so it’s for you to determine how much time you will actually take to learn the language. Don’t worry, This article will help you figure that out. Let’s look at the number of factors that can help you in doing so. 

1. Your Previous Language Learning Experiences
2. The Arabic Language
3. Learning methods and time that you invest 
4. Your Attitude and Motivation 

Have you tried to learn any other language? Were you able to learn other languages like Spanish, Chinese, German? If you have, then it will be easy for you to learn Arabic as well. and if you haven’t, and this is your first experience at learning a language, you need to work a little bit harder. Some People who are bilingual or multilingual are quick to catch up on any new language. 

Even if Arabic is considered one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to learn, this fascinating language actually borrows a few words from English. These words can save you time when learning some Arabic vocabulary.

Let’s take a look at some of them:

• كومبيوتر – [kombiouter]: Computer
• تليفون – [telifone]: Telephone
• ميكرويف –[ maycrowayf]: Microwave
• ميكانيكي –[ mikaniky]: Mechanic
• مليون –[ milyoon]: Million

 Are you learning with the help of a tutor or taking a college course in the language? And how much time are you investing in a week to learn Arabic? All this matters a lot in determining your trajectory for learning Arabic. The more you study, the more easily and quickly you will learn. For example, learning once a week for an hour and a half will take you 6 months or more in becoming confident about Arabic. Increase the number of hours and you can decrease the time that it will take for you to learn Arabic.

You should have a strong motivation to learn the language that keeps you going at a regular pace without getting stuck or lost in the middle. Having a reason that motivates you is important. Be it your interest in the language or its requirement in a university/company that you’re wishing to apply to in Arab. You have to determine the reason why you want to learn Arabic and make a note of it to keep reminding yourself, every time. 

Linguistic studies have led The Common European Framework for Reference for Languages to use the “Guided Learning Hours” framework in order to measure the amount of total classroom time it would take to reach the High-Intermediate level (B2) in Arabic. They assume that you will spend 2 hours doing an independent study for every one hour of classroom study and, therefore, conclude that it will take you somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500 hours to learn Arabic.

The majority supports the notion that indeed learning Arabic is hard. It is considered one of the hardest languages in the world. The thing that makes reading and writing in Arabic particularly challenging for beginners is the exclusion of most vowels in words. There are also characteristics of spoken Arabic that make it hard to learn. Some of the sounds used don’t exist in other languages or are simply unfamiliar to English speakers, including sounds made in the back of your throat. The grammar is challenging too; verbs tend to come before the subject, and you have to learn a dual form of words in addition to the singular and plural forms.

But, all this shouldn’t discourage you from learning it because once you begin to understand basic concepts about the Arabic language you can easily get fluent in it. Just follow your interest and start learning. 

Learning will be easier if you have the right tools with you which means the right resources, books, videos, and an environment where you can get familiar with Arabic. 

Now that you know how much time it takes to learn Arabic and which factors can help you learn faster, remember that without practice it’s very difficult to finish. In the end, it depends on you! You have to be consistent, and dedicated, and motivated to learn the language. It is possible to learn it and it is not that hard, just a few things to check and voila, you’re ready! So, keep all these points in mind and حظا سعيدا (good luck)

Happy learning!!