There are a number of good reasons why those in the West should seriously consider learning Arabic. It is not only one of the world’s leading languages in terms of the number of speakers, it is also a fantastic way of furthering your understanding of the different cultures in which Arabic is spoken.

Many Ways to Learn

Learning Arabic has never been easier or more accessible. There’s a plethora of different options for those looking to learn the language, each of which caters to a different learning style. Some students find that they learn best when studying alone. For these people, an audio course allows them to study at their own rate while retaining the benefits of being able to hear the language being spoken as they are learning it.

An increasingly popular way to learn is by enrolling in an online course, either through a university or an independent organization such as London Arabic Tuition which teaches the Nassra Arabic Method.

The other option, which many find to be the most effective, is also the most expensive; in person tutoring. Having a tutor there physically in front of you makes learning the language that little bit easier as they allow for you to ask questions and can clarify any points of uncertainty.

It Is Spoken by More Than 280 Million People

Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, being the primary language of most states in the Middle East. It is one of the top five of the most widely spoken languages and is thus of great importance to the modern world. Being able to speak Arabic allows you to communicate with a wide range of individuals from different backgrounds.

Speaking Arabic will set you apart from the crowd and, in the case of entrepreneurs, being able to speak Arabic will allow you to conduct business with a wider range of individuals and institutions than would otherwise be possible.

Learn About Arabic Culture

Arabic culture is often greatly misunderstood in the West, learning the Arabic language will also bring students closer to the culture and so they will gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for it. The culture is a rich and diverse one that has historically united a number of disparate people; being able to speak the Arabic language allows one to dig deeper in to the history of these countries, people, and Islam as a religion. For example, reading the Quran in Arabic is a very different experience from reading the text after it has been translated into English.

Such is the richness of Arabic culture, there is bound to be some aspect of it that is of interest to everyone. Arabic music, in particular, is a wonderful example of the uniqueness of the culture, Arabic themed cafés are becoming more popular throughout major Western cities, and Arabic calligraphy is renowned for its delicacy and beauty.

Arabic Hospitality

Being able to speak Arabic will make visiting the Middle East much easier and allow you to communicate with the locals in their native tongue. This in itself will earn you favour in the eyes of many of them. Arabic hospitality is renowned for being exceptionally friendly and welcoming and Westerners who make an effort to speak the language will be met with a very warm reception.

A Deeper Understanding of Islam

The Islamic faith is widely misunderstood and misrepresented in Western societies, so being able to gain a deeper understanding of it by learning the language will give you a unique perspective on the subject which is unavailable to most of those living outside the Arabic world.

Learning Arabic is an excellent way of broadening your horizons and exposing yourself to new ideas. It will also give you a deeper understanding of a culture that many of us have misperceptions about.