Where to learn Arabic for free in the UAE
One of the oldest languages in the world and a truly beautiful dialect, Arabic represents the unique history and tradition of the Middle East. Although in the UAE, English is widely spoken and understood, Arabic is the official language of the country and has a value and stature all of its own. There are many institutes offering Arabic language courses and communication training to non-natives. Here’s a round-up of the top free Arabic classes in the UAE for those interested in mastering this widely spoken language.
FREE ARABIC CLASSES IN DUBAI
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city and you don’t need to be fluent in Arabic to survive. However, getting to know the basics of this beautiful language will help ease you into the UAE lifestyle. Here’s a list of the institutes offering free Arabic classes in Dubai.
HEADWAY INSTITUTE
An excellent option to learn free Arabic in Dubai is the Headway Institute. It’s a pioneer language-learning centre offering various types of courses, including a free Arabic course for beginners. The course includes an introduction to Arabic alphabets, pronunciation and fundamental vocabulary. Check the official website for more information on this free course in the Arabic language in Dubai.
If you’re interested in other languages, Headway is also a great place to learn French in Dubai.
- Timings: 09:00 am – 08:00 pm | Closed on Fridays
- Location: Block 19, Office 202, 2nd floor, Block 19, Dubai Knowledge Village
- Contact: +971-4–383-9219
BIL ARABI INITIATIVE BY THE MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM FOUNDATION (MBRF)
A project developed by UAE university students, the Bil Arabi initiative by MBRF offers free Arabic language classes to expats from non-Arab countries. These free classes usually take place annually on December 18, coinciding with the UN’s World Arabic Language Day.
FREE ARABIC CLASSES IN ABU DHABI
The Language Club (or TLC) is offering free Arabic classes in Abu Dhabi for anyone interested in learning the Arabic language. Established by Marisol Vasquez, TLC is one of the most popular community centres offering free Arabic courses in Abu Dhabi. This service is advantageous for people who are starting out.
Besides Arabic, the initiative teaches over eight languages including French, English, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, German and Spanish. To enrol in a course, please visit the official ‘The Language Club’ website, or visit their official Facebook page for more information on the latest classes.
FREE APPS TO LEARN ARABIC IN THE UAE
Expats striving to get a better grip on the Arabic language can rely on various apps. Let’s take a look at these noteworthy apps with free Arabic courses in the UAE. These apps are available on Google Play Store and App Store.
DROPS
Drops is an app that offers free Arabic lessons in the UAE. Invest a few minutes of your time and learn the basics of the Arabic language.
You’ll manage to grasp the basic vocabulary, commonly used phrases, words, business-related Arabic terms and other useful tips. The app offers free lessons for up to five minutes daily. However, more lessons including offline training materials require additional payments.
MEMRISE
Another great option to get access to free Arabic classes in the UAE is to use the Memrise language app. The app is relatively simple to use and offers lessons for varying levels.
Whether you’re taking baby steps in learning Arabic for beginners or are an intermediate Arabic speaker, this app is a good option. The app is free to use regularly but some in-app purchases are applicable if you wish to gain access to offline reading material and lessons.
ROSETTA STONE
The Rosetta Stone is one of the most widely-used apps for learning Arabic in the UAE for free. Start with the 10-minute lessons and work your way through to advanced courses. The different lessons include speaking, reading and listening to Arabic text.
This app works differently in comparison to other apps. Learners start with sounds and full words rather than building a knowledge of the alphabet in the early lessons. The Rosetta Stone app plan offers 30 minutes of daily content for free. For full access, you will have to buy a subscription.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FREE RESOURCES TO LEARN ARABIC IN THE UAE?
Those looking to take introductory Arabic classes in the UAE can use several online resources to master their grasp of the language. Besides apps like Mondly, several podcasts offer free online Arabic lessons. Arabic with Sam and Arabic Pod 101 are some of the popular ones. Additionally, Arabacademy.com also offer a free trial lesson online.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BASIC ARABIC PHRASES I SHOULD KNOW?
Here is a list of basic Arabic words in Dubai that expats or visitors should know to get around. Tourists too can make the most of their trip by learning these basic phrases to interact with the local community. The phrases include basic greetings in Arabic, questions and words that might come in handy for emergencies.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO LEARN ARABIC IN DUBAI?
The Arabic Language Centre, Golden Age Institute, Headway Institute and Al Salam Islamic Centre are some of the best places for Arabic classes in Dubai.
That concludes our guide to free Arabic classes in the UAE. We have listed some of the best free courses, apps and other resources to help you learn the national language. There are several reasons why expats should learn Arabic. It will help them adjust better to life in the UAE and can also increase their chances of employment. A good way to start learning Arabic might be to understand the meaning behind area names in Dubai.
You can check out some of the commonly-used Arabic jargon in real estate to familiarise yourself with terms used across the UAE.
