Tag Archives: recommendations

Two of My Favourite Arabic Blogs

مُدَوَّنَة root: د-و-ن / noun / plural: مُدَوَّنات / definition: a blog The Arabic Pages certainly isn’t the only blog out there focused on the Arabic language, and I’ve come across so many brilliant online resources since I started studying Arabic. My intention is to (eventually) make a list of all the best Arabic resourcesContinue reading “Two of My Favourite Arabic Blogs”

Arabic Books Currently in My Basket

سَلّة root: س-ل-ل / noun / plural: سِلال / definition: basket It’s been quite a few months since I told you about the useful Arabic books I have on my bookshelf. And while I’ve advised against overwhelming yourself with resources (advice mainly directed at myself), this hasn’t stopped me from steadily filling up my AmazonContinue reading “Arabic Books Currently in My Basket”

My Favourite Arabic Podcast is Back!

عَودة root: ع-و-د / verbal noun of form I / definition: return Over a year ago, I shared with you the best Arabic podcast I’d found—recordings from The Arabic Circle, by the University of Chicago. The only issue was that new uploads stopped years ago and I was desperate for some new listening material. (TheContinue reading “My Favourite Arabic Podcast is Back!”

Arabic Books on My Bookshelf

رَفّ root: ر-ف-ف / noun / plural: رُفوف / definition: shelf While you can see eight neatly-arranged books on my tiny bedside tea shelf in the photo above, in reality, the term “bookshelf” in the title is somewhat metaphorical. Yes, some of these books are arranged on one of my actual bookshelves. But others migrateContinue reading “Arabic Books on My Bookshelf”

Grammar Book: Arabic for Nerds 2

تَوْصِيَة root: و-ص-ي / verbal noun of form II / plural: تَوصيات / definition: recommendation So I finally gave in: I ordered the grammar book that’s been sitting in my Amazon basket for months. And while I can’t actually put this hefty 800-ish-page book on my already-overburdened bookshelf for fear of a catastrophic collapse, IContinue reading “Grammar Book: Arabic for Nerds 2”

Ideas for Language Learning in a Lockdown

إغْلاق root: غ-ل-ق / verbal noun of form IV / definition: lockdown, closing Classes cancelled, study abroad plans put on hold, and your sanity left bouncing between the same four walls for weeks on end… Most of us, in this coronavirus era, are in some form of lockdown or another. Since everyone is naturally copingContinue reading “Ideas for Language Learning in a Lockdown”

The Best Arabic Podcast I’ve Found So Far

اِستِماع root: س-م-ع / verbal noun of form VIII / definition: listening Listening skills are essential to build when you’re learning a language. But for many students, it can be hard to find listening resources that are: (a) at the right level and (b) interesting enough to maintain your focus.

The Importance of Getting Things Wrong

خَطَأ root: خ-ط-ء / noun / plural: أخطاء / definition: mistake, error It’s happening again. A wave of fear crashes down mercilessly upon the trembling students. Eyes dart desperately, frantically, around the room. One student scrambles out of class, mumbling something about needing the bathroom. The sky darkens. Another pretends to drop their pen asContinue reading “The Importance of Getting Things Wrong”

Treasures in Translation

تَرجَمة root: ت-ر-ج-م / noun / plural: تَراجِم / definition: translation Last week, a friend and I visited this charming little coffee shop in Central London. Maybe it was the dimly-lit, cosy atmosphere or maybe it was the ludicrously overpriced hot chocolate that elicited some serious life contemplation, but either way: as Arabic graduates, ourContinue reading “Treasures in Translation”