Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and it is always a pleasure to learn it. Whether the goal is religious, tourism, business, cultural, or other purposes, such as in the Middle East, learning Arabic translates to new possibilities. However, one of the most common questions learners ask is: If I am learning Arabic, how long will it take me to learn this language to the level in the Text above?
The answer to this question depends on your interests, the time you can spare, and whether you can contribute to the costs. This guide explains these factors and will develop an approximate timeline that gives you a glimpse into how you learn Arabic.
Factors that Affect How Long It Takes to Learn Arabic
Considering the various times involved in learning Arabic, it is essential to acknowledge the general factors that affect the duration. Everyone’s journey is different, and some may find it quicker or more challenging depending on various elements:
- Your Learning Goal: Do you aim to achieve a comfortable level in speaking, studying, and writing Quranic Arabic, including reading and understanding its grammar? The time you take to learn will significantly depend on your overall goal.
- The Dialect You’re Learning: Arabic has many dialects. Studying Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)—the written and broadcast Arabic—may take longer since MSA does not equate to speaking Arabic like Egyptian, Levantine, or the Arabic spoken in the Persian Gulf region.
- Your Native Language: It was revealed that if you are familiar with the Arabic language because of your first language, then you might learn Arabic faster than otherwise Because, for example, Hebrew is closer to Arabic in grammar and vocabulary, or Another Semitic language, while your first language could be something else entirely (like English, or Chinese), there would be even more differences.
- Your Learning Environment: Becoming fluent is significantly faster when you can listen to and speak the language daily for a year or more in an Arab country or with the help of a tutor.
- Study Time and Consistency: Languages, in general, yield better results when studied daily or weekly In a shorter time. This is important for language acquisition because consistency is attained successfully.
- Learning Resources and Methods: Replacing structured courses with informal learning, utilizing language learning applications, and engaging personal tutors can significantly enhance your learning speed. However, when learning Quranic Arabic, the resources needed differ from those used when learning spoken Arabic.
Time Taken to Learn Arabic Depending on the Level of Classification
To provide a clearer picture, let’s break down the approximate time to learn Arabic based on essential, intermediate, and advanced proficiency levels.
1. Elementary call-depth Interlocutory ability (6-12 months)
So, suppose you want to achieve general communicative competence that implies communicating in simple everyday situations, comprehending many often-used phrases, and so on. In that case. In that case, it will take 6 to 12 months or even more if you study for 1-3 hours a day systematically. studying stage, you’ll click on:
- Alphabets, vowels, and small essays.
- Everyday vocabulary
- You will find categories here, including simple greetings and polite words.
- The knowledge and construction of simple sentences
It is suitable for students who want to learn the basics, such as tourists, and who want to have simple conversations and understand the basics of fundamental interactions.
2. Advanced low/Inter or high, depending on the amount of independent language use (12-18 months).
To get to the next level and have a fluent conversation with native speakers or to comprehend them with moderate speed and read simplified texts, it takes 12 to 1
8 months. At this stage, you’ll be able to:
Write on more diverse issues
Everyone can read the news, watch movies, and listen to podcasts with help.
Comment on short articles or Quranic verses
Spend more time talking with Arabic-speaking people
For those interested in acquiring Quranic Arabic, this level is usually adequate to get a general idea of what most Quranic phrases and verses of the Quran say, and there is more work to be done from there.
3. Intermediate (18-24 Months) – & – Advanced (24-36 Months)
To master the language, you can achieve this by engaging in conversations on new topics and subtopics, reading newspapers and literature, and understanding the language in various spheres, which typically takes around 18 months to 3 years. This level of fluency requires the following:
Mastery of complex grammar
An increased amount of lexis and idioms as part of students’ spoken and written awards
Fluent in written and spoken language without many mistakes
Niceness in the official and the non-official sphere
This is the level required for individuals aspiring to become professionals or those planning to reside in Arabic-speaking countries.
Learning Arabic for the Holy Quran Purpose
Most Arabic learners are Muslims, and they learn the language to gain knowledge of the Quran and for praying and other religious activities. There are some main differences between learners of Quranic Arabic and learners of Modern Egyptian Arabic because Quranic Arabic comprises not only the grammar and vocabulary of modern Arabic but also the grammar and vocabulary of Qur’anic Arabic.
To understand the Quranic verses simply, learners may take 6-12 months of continuous learning/education, depending on the pace and background knowledge. However, achieving interpreting ability, where people understand all nuances and interpretations, may take longer, sometimes 2 to 3 years or more.
Arabic is such a beautiful language to learn, and as soon as you make up your mind to start learning Arabic, no force in the world can hinder you. Others may argue that it is a complicated language, but I would not be where I am today if I had not applied myself and paid attention when I started using that language in my learning. Here, therefore, are some tips to guide you if you ever become an Arabic student.
Several strategies can help you learn Arabic faster:
- Immerse Yourself: The more you speak Arabic, the better your opportunity to immerse yourself in the language. This could include continuous Arabic podcast listening, watching Arabic shows, and conversing with Arabic-speaking people on social platforms.
- Use Language Learning Apps: There are many applications for learning vocabulary and grammar, such as Duolingo, Memrise, Mondly, etc.
- Take Formal Classes: To learn Arabic, consider taking an online or offline course, as it will provide you with a structured approach to exploring different Arabic courses. Kanzolquran offers an online course in Arabic for conversation and Arabic based on the Quran.
- Practice Speaking Regularly: Use a language exchange program or talk to native speakers online. In this case, the sooner you start practicing speaking, the better it will be because you will be fluent in the shortest time possible.
- Set Realistic Goals: Create short-term learning objectives that make it easy to accomplish progressive goals systematically. Don’t pay too much attention to grammar; memorizing phrases is essential. Consistency is critical. After completing the set lessons, dedicate a specific and fixed daily or weekly time to practicing your Arabic, aiming for at least 15-30 minutes.
Conclusion
Hence, how many years does it take for someone to learn Arabic? The answer depends on what you want to know, how long you spend, and what information and tools you employ. For situational communication, the coursework may require 6/12 months of study; for more advanced communication skills at the intermediate level, it may take 6 to 18 months of study. In Quranic Arabic, achieving a native-like understanding or comprehending every word of the Quran might take a couple of years.
Kanzolquran offers an organized learning platform tailored to the level of courses, catering to individuals who wish to learn Arabic at various levels, including communication, Quranic studies, or advanced levels. Explore our courses on Kanzolquran.org and enroll today to start your journey to mastering Arabic.
Studying Arabic is a richly fulfilling task that introduces a new culture, spirit, and intelligence. If you are a committed learner and apply yourself properly, you will prove to yourself that you are fluent in the Arabic language as you want and, more importantly, get much closer to the language.
