Posted on January 30, 2023 by Rosario Arán
Did you know that Arabic is becoming more and more common as the second language choice for parents to teach their non-Arabic children? It is growing fast, partly because it is the official language in 26 countries and is among the five most spoken languages in the world, as well as one of the official languages of the UN. This sentence can probably be broken up into two, but this still works.
This interest in the Arabic language stems from the need to begin understanding a region and its culture that has been perceived in specific ways to avoid perpetuating misconceptions. In addition, people who have moved to Arabic countries are recognizing the need to immerse their children in the culture by learning Arabic. This blog will cover three ways to help your kids learn and engage with one of the world’s fastest-growing languages.
Arabic is the Language of an Important Culture.
The Arabic culture is often related to the second-largest religion in the world, Islam. Learning the language allows children from Muslim families living in non-Arabic countries to understand and connect to Islamic culture.
For many decades, the Islamic culture and Arab countries have been under scrutiny due to social and political events. However, there needs to be more investment in understanding this culture in the Western world. Learning Arabic can open the doors to peaceful words if future generations form their opinion based on immersing themselves in the culture and getting rid of any stereotypes that certain media perpetuates.
Start Early! Introduce the Letters.
Like any other language, it is best to start in the early years. In the case of Arabic, it implies learning a different alphabet, but at such a young age, children’s brains work as sponges. They are born with the ability to distinguish phonetic sounds.
Learning the Arabic alphabet and letters is the starting point, and it should be fun for them; otherwise, they might see it as complicated. You can use flashcards and games of letter matching, letter recognition, memory games, and even playdough for letter formation.
Now, the order of the letters is essential. However, to make things easier, start with those letters that are easier to pronounce. You can always use a simple alphabet song. Usually, that’s how children learn their alphabet quicker.
Persistence! Read and Listen in Arabic.
All languages require patience and persistence. This means not doing it once in a while but having specific moments in the week to practice the language using a fun method. For example, read bedtime stories in Arabic to your children to start the reading journey.
Like reading, music plays a crucial role in training the ear to the Arabic sounds. Plus, music is something that they are used to listening to through their toys and cartoons or the lullabies you sing to them. Try to stick to the same songs because repetition is crucial for hearing memory. There are plenty of available Arabic songs for children. Make sure to download the lyrics and explain the meaning of the words.
Keep Them Engaged! Watch Cartoons in Arabic.
If the learning process is tedious, your children will likely lose interest in the language. On the other hand, if you use cartoons to teach a language, you will likely hook them to the language through their favorite characters and stories.
Immersing children in a language through TV shows works great because it uses basic vocabulary and short phrases while providing them with a first positive experience with the language.
Of course, Oznoz has shows in Arabic and 10 other languages. If you want to know where to start, try the 1001 Nights cartoon show, which adapts the classic 1001 nights filled with excitement and adventures.
تبدأ الشجرة بالبذرة. – “A Tree Begins with A Seed”
Since the Arabic culture has rightfully started to become more popular and better understood, it is not surprising that it is one of the fastest-growing languages in the world. Moreover, its connection to Islam makes it even more relevant to our current world, as Islam is the second-largest religion in the world.
Teaching Arabic is like teaching any other language regarding consistency and fun methods, such as cartoons that are entertaining and easy to capture children’s attention. The alphabet can be the trickiest part since it might differ from the child’s native language.
Jump on Oznoz.com, where you will find many animated shows in Arabic, like 1001 Nights. Also, remember that Arabic is read from right to left!