The Arabic Your Way Journal
Learning tips, cultural notes, and honest thoughts on teaching Arabic. Written by Dr Suzanne Kobeisse between lessons.
A parent's guide to GCSE Arabic: what to expect
A plain-English walkthrough for UK parents weighing up GCSE Arabic for their child. What the course covers, what's marked, what tutoring actually adds, and how to spot a good one.
Read the article →What to expect from your first Arabic lesson
Wondering what happens in a first Arabic lesson online? Dr Suzanne Kobeisse explains exactly what to expect, and why it is far less daunting than you think.
How to find a good Arabic tutor in the UK
Looking for an Arabic tutor in the UK? Here is how I would choose one, what to ask first, and the signs you have found someone who fits how you learn.
The Arabic alphabet isn't as scary as you think
Twenty-eight letters, a handful of shape shifts, and a weekend to learn the whole lot. Here's a gentler way in.
Modern Standard or Levantine: which Arabic should you learn?
Two Arabics, one honest breakdown. How to pick the right one for your goal, and why many learners end up weaving both.
Why Arabic is the most rewarding language you could learn this year
Half a billion speakers, a new script to love, and a musical rhythm English cannot give you. My honest case for Arabic.
How to practise Arabic when you have nobody to speak to
Shadowing, podcasts, self-talk, reading aloud. A field guide for anyone stuck between lessons without a partner.
The psychology of learning a language as an adult
Adults are not worse at languages than children, they just learn differently. Here is how to lean into the advantages.
Ramadan 2026 is here: Arabic you'll hear and how to respond
The phrases you'll encounter at work, at iftar, and in the street. Said once, remembered forever.
New year, new language: realistic Arabic goals for 2026
What a serious beginner, intermediate, or advanced year actually looks like. No "fluent in six months" promises.
A year of teaching Arabic: what I learned
What surprised me about my students, what I changed, and what I'll keep doing next year. Quietly honest.
Arabic calligraphy: a window into the language
The shapes are not decoration. They carry the logic of the script itself. A short tour of kufi, naskh, and thuluth.
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Older posts
2025
- 06 Nov 2025 Language & Learning Why I don't teach Arabic from textbooks
- 22 Oct 2025 Practical Arabic for business: the courtesies that change everything
- 24 Sep 2025 Language & Learning The politics of Arabic dialect: why your choice is personal
- 04 Sep 2025 GCSE & Exams Preparing your teen for GCSE Arabic: a term-by-term roadmap
- 19 Aug 2025 Culture & Heritage Heritage learners: reconnecting with your language on your terms
- 29 Jul 2025 Practical Teaching children Arabic: a guide for parents
- 10 Jul 2025 Practical Travelling to Lebanon? Twenty phrases you'll actually use
- 17 Jun 2025 Language & Learning The mistakes English speakers make learning Arabic, and how to avoid them
- 01 May 2025 Language & Learning How long does it really take to learn Arabic?
- 15 Apr 2025 Language & Learning Understanding the Arabic root system: a gift once you see it
- 28 Mar 2025 Culture & Heritage Eid Mubarak: what to say and what it means
- 20 Feb 2025 Culture & Heritage Ramadan is coming: a short guide for non-Muslims
- 13 Jan 2025 Practical Five Arabic greetings that open every door
2024
- 12 Dec 2024 Culture & Heritage Starting Arabic Your Way: my journey from Lebanon to private tuition
No older posts in this category.
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