The Better Language Training “Nashmi” Arabic Program is designed to enable people to fully function in the Arab world. It covers all aspects of acquiring the Arabic language in the natural order that all people acquire their native tongues: Listening first, Speaking second, Reading third, and then Writing.
The Better Language Training “Nashmi” Arabic Program is designed to enable people to fully function in the Arab world. It covers all aspects of acquiring the Arabic language in the natural order that all people acquire their native tongues: Listening first, Speaking second, Reading third, and then Writing.
The program has 6 levels that take you from the very beginning of not knowing a single word in Arabic, to a fully functioning participant in all aspects of this wonderful place we call the Middle East!
You begin Level 1 by simply listening to the cadence and melody of the local, spoken Arabic language. To those of us who have come to love it, it truly is like music. Shortly you will begin to speak as you are helped and encouraged to mimic now familiar letters, sounds and words. Your vocabulary increases steadily each week as you grow in your ability to understand and say the words for common things and actions that are all around you. You will also acquire basic grammar, sentence patterns, ways of speaking, and a number of common sayings in the local dialect. By the end of Level 1 you will have made a great start on your journey into the Arab world!
Level 2 is all about stories. You now begin to go beyond speaking just words and simple sentences, to speaking paragraphs and communicating more complex ideas. We use simple and humorous picture stories to continue building your speaking ability and vocabulary. Vignettes of Life are sprinkled in that help you speak about simple routines from everyday life. You will also become comfortable with the Arabic alphabet and recognize common sight words. At this stage you will also become very familiar with Arabic numbers and will sharpen your ability to easily take phone numbers in Arabic from new friends, as well as understand spoken prices that fly at you every day from local shops and restaurants. Fun and engaging exercises also help you pick up ever more verb usage and grammar and your Arabic vocabulary continues to grow each week.
In Level 3 you will continue to learn from stories, but now without the aid of pictures. This will take you from the world of just talking about what you can physically see, into the world of all that you can imagine! Of course you will continue to pick up new grammar, speaking patterns, and go every deeper into the rich labyrinth of local sayings and expressions. Vignettes of Life now become more detailed as you talk about more complex actions such as preparing favorite Arabic meals, car repair, and things like finding and renting a new place. And now, now that you are speaking well, and your vocabulary has become quite developed, you will not only read more in Arabic, but begin to write!
Level 4 takes you beyond stories into the world of Deep Discussions. Now, as your vocabulary has become quite formidable on the physical world that we can all see, you will venture deep into the world of the unseen. Into the world of ideas, intangibles, emotions and heart to heart discussions. You will begin to discuss and grasp Arabic culture at a much deeper level. Fun and engaging sessions will continue to advance your knowledge of speaking patterns and grammar. Your reading ability will increase as stories on local culture and life are read in the local, spoken dialect. You will also begin to read in classic written Modern Standard Arabic that is used in almost all books and the news as well. Your writing ability will also continue to grow.
In Level 5 you will dive into Native Conversations. By watching videos of native Arabic speakers, stopping the video and talking about new words and expressions, your abilities in listening, understanding and speaking will soar to new heights as you get ever closer to near-native speaking ability. Focus sessions on advanced spoken grammar, expressions, and speaking patterns continue throughout Level 5, with the goal of helping you become a full participant in this beautiful Arab world!
Level 6 is for advanced students who want to continue to increase their abilities in the Arabic language.
“I loved the learning style because it was fun and motivating.” - Elisabeth
“We loved it! Rahma is an amazing and enthusiastic teacher. She was great at encouraging us and doing things according to our pace.” - Elias
Many of our students travel, and sometimes for extensive periods. They always find that if they are gone and not actively taking classes for weeks or months, their level of Arabic declines very quickly. In order to help students during times like these, we offer online classes.
For beginning level students, (Level 1 and early Level 2,) in person classes are essential for consistent improvement. Once someone has progressed, online classes can be very useful.
For students new to BLT, we are able to offer online classes as well, depending on the student’s level.