Learning a second language in school gives you a basic, textbook education in how it is used. You learn words and phrases, along with grammar so that you know how to put together sentences to make yourself understood. If the courses are well-written and/or the instructor is highly familiar with the subject matter, you will also get some cultural education along with learning the language. As an adult, can choose to learn foreign languages in depth, and there are a number of benefits to learning Arabic dialects.

General Benefits to Learning Foreign Languages

Learning a Foreign Language Puts your Brain to Task

If you think of the brain as a type of muscle that you need to keep in shape by giving it challenges to work on, learning a foreign language will help to keep it working well. The new language will have a different structure and vocabulary to English and you’ll have to use reading, comprehension and problem-solving skills to have it make sense.

Appreciation of First Language is Improved

Learning a new language means becoming conscious of vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, conjunctions, and ways of conversing in a manner that you may not have been aware of with your first language. Since you picked it up from hearing it from the cradle, so to speak, you weren’t as conscious of how these elements fit together to form sentences or the differences that take place from written English to when people are speaking to each other. When you start studying a second language, it will likely lead you to consider your first one with more interest.

Increased Openness to Learning About New Cultures

Language and culture go hand in hand, and if you are taking the time to learn a foreign language, you’ll want to learn something about the people who speak it as part of their everyday lives. As you learn more about them, you’ll become more appreciative of the way people in different countries live and work.

Foreign Language Training Opens More Career Doors

If you want to stand out from other job applicants in today’s market, take courses in foreign languages and note them on your C.V. This type of training speaks to your level of intelligence, decision-making skills, flexibility and openness to dealing with people from a variety of backgrounds. These are “soft” skills that are in demand with today’s employers.

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Opportunity to Learn Arabic Culture

As you learn an Arabic dialect, you are also learning about the Arabic culture at the same time. This is a way to get a real-life idea of how Arabs communicate and connect with each other. When people using a dialect speak, they use phrases and figures of speech which are unique to their dialect or the region where they live. The language is much richer than what you can glean from any textbook.

Learning to speak a dialect involves learning phrases, proverbs and sayings, just like it does in English. Over 30 percent of conversation is made up of phrases and at times, a phrase can make up an entire sentence. (An example in English is when someone refers to an upcoming task being as easy by saying that it will be “a piece of cake.”)

Each one of these phrases tells a story about the culture that uses it, and it is one of the main differences between Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is written, and spoken language. In MSA, phrases are not used often.

Dialects Teaches Students About Arabic Phrases and Proverbs

At times, translating a phrase from Arabic to English word for word doesn’t make sense. If you use the example of “Laa takul ham,” it translates literally to “Don’t eat the worry.” Looking at the phrase as a whole, it means “Don’t worry.”

Allows Students to Connect with Native Arabic Speakers

Learning Arabic dialects allows students of the language who travel to countries where it is spoken to make themselves understood much more easily. Everything from traveling by cab to buying products in the local markets will be much easier whether you are going on holiday or have decided to relocate to one of these countries for professional purposes.

Without a doubt, local residents will appreciate the effort that you are making to speak to them in their language and to have learned the local customs. You’ll find it easier to be accepted into their midst for the duration of your stay.

If you are going to study Arabic dialects to prepare for a trip abroad, you’ll want to get the best quality education possible. London Arabic Tuition will discuss your specific needs with you and develop a course that addresses them precisely so that you don’t spend any time learning material that is not relevant for you. Contact us now to find out more about our custom learning programs.