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 goal of this course is to draw you much deeper into the Arab culture. It goes well beyond the scope of normal advanced Arabic classes. In the end you will be equipped to understand the Arab mindset.
This course is designed to greatly strengthen your reading and writing abilities in Arabic. It goes well beyond the scope of the reading and writing taught in normal Arabic courses. It will start with a short review of Arabic letters and how they change when written at the beginning, middle and end of words. You will also understand exactly where and how the native sounds for each letter are made in the mouth and throat, maybe for the first time ever!
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 on Special Conversations in the realm of Business or Technology. It is for ones who have decided to continue living in the Middle East and are either thinking of starting a business, or working in technology. You will learn specifically how to start a company and navigate the world of business here. You will also get help throughout the process. If you are planning to work with technology you will learn to function comfortably in that arena.
“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
The goal of this course is to draw you much deeper into the Arab culture. It goes well beyond the scope of normal advanced Arabic classes. In the end you will be equipped to understand the Arab mindset, and how tribal culture and the desert tribal lifestyle still influences social interactions today. You will also be able to understand and mimic heretofore hidden messages in body language and facial expressions, thus enabling you to engage in life in the Arab world at a depth you’ve not known before. Common Arabic expressions will be unpacked to help you understand surface as well as often hidden meanings. You will learn what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior for common special occasions such as engagements, pre-wedding parties, weddings, funerals and celebrations. You will receive individual attention to help you speak like an Arab, and to fill any deficiencies in vocabulary or speaking.
The course is designed for upper-intermediate to advanced Arabic speakers. For example, someone who has spent a good amount of time in GPA Level 4 or above. Prior to the course all prospective students will be invited to spend some time with the teacher to be sure they are at a comfortable level to take full advantage of the course. This time will also help the instructor to know what areas in Arabic they can most help each student personally with. The course is 2 months/8 weeks long and meets twice a week for 2 hours each day.
“Brilliant. It’s obvious how much thought and preparation has been put into each class. I also appreciated (the teacher’s) flexibility and willingness to incorporate teaching material specific to our needs and interests. It was a safe place to ask questions and learn. I greatly benefited from this course and had a lot of fun learning!” - B
This course is designed to greatly strengthen your reading and writing abilities in Arabic. It goes well beyond the scope of the reading and writing taught in normal Arabic courses. It will start with a short review of Arabic letters and how they change when written at the beginning, middle and end of words. You will also understand exactly where and how the native sounds for each letter are made in the mouth and throat, maybe for the first time ever!
Fun and engaging exercises will quickly enhance your ability to recognize common sight words. You will also begin to read short stories in amia, the local spoken Arabic dialect. These stories are not only great at helping you improve your reading, but are a treasure trove of local spoken expressions and vocabulary. They are a looking glass into local Arab culture as well. Recordings will be made for each story so you can read them over and over again, while listening to them being read to you by your teacher. This is an extremely powerful and rarely utilized learning aid.
You will also dive into the world of casual written amia as used in Facebook and local messaging apps. You will love learning tips and techniques that help you become proficient at messaging your Arab friends in Arabic. The common response is both shock and delight as you message them in their native spoken language!
After a time of reading in amia, you will begin to read the news and also books written in classic fusha Arabic. You will also learn how to interpret harakat and tanween Arabic vowel and word markings that are used in elementary Arabic school books, and that are ubiquitous in all Arabic holy writings.
Throughout the course your Arabic handwriting will improve through entertaining writing and dictations exercises. Time will be spent to help you decipher hand written messages and signs from locals as well. Arabic numbers will also be reviewed and strengthened through exercises and games like “What’s Your Number?”
This course is aimed at intermediate and above Arabic students. For example someone who has reached Level 3 or higher in GPA, or someone who has spent a year in other types of Arabic classes. The course is 2 months long and meets twice a week for 2 hours each day.