Arabic Language Learning

In Arabic, the written form is substantially different from the spoken…to the point that it justifies learning it on its own. FusHa is the formal/written medium of Arabic, rarely spoken but commonly used in literature, historical manuscripts, government documentation, and religious or ceremonial contexts. The two types of FusHa are called Classical and Modern Standard (MSA). Modern Standard Arabic is the most commonly taught form of FusHa.

Colloquial Egyptian is the most widely understood Arabic dialect in the Middle East.Egypt's capital, Cairo, has long been the center of Arab media, films and television programs watched by millions of people across the Arab world. In terms of the number of films produced, Cairo would fall third in line of production after Bollywood (India) and Hollywood (USA). Regardless of the rather dramatic changes in dialect throughout the Arabic speaking countries, Egyptian media has made Egyptian Colloquial Arabic familiar to nearly every household.

Regardless of which Arabic speaking destinations you may find yourself in, Egyptian Arabic is a good dialect to begin learning because Arabic speakers around the world will be able to understand you. You may have difficulty understanding their dialect at first, but they will at least be able to understand you. You can adjust your new colloquial Arabic accordingly from that point.

In general, Arabic courses taught at universities focus on MSA so that are able to read but not communicate in the language very well. Kind of like, learning Latin and then trying to communicate to Italian speakers. You have the basis of the language, but obviously the language has evolved a lot since the days that Latin was spoken. It has similarities, but the language itself is just not spoken any more.

Why Egyptian Colloquial Arabic Arabic?
Egyptian Colloquial Arabic is considered a “lingua franca” – a language that is understood and used across borders” – within the Arab world. Egypt's capital, Cairo, has long been the center of Arab media, films and television programs watched by millions of people across the Arab world. In terms of the number of films produced, Cairo would fall third in line of production after Bollywood (India) and Hollywood (USA). Regardless of the rather dramatic changes in dialect throughout the Arabic speaking countries, Egyptian media has made Egyptian Colloquial Arabic familiar to nearly every household.

Regardless of which Arabic speaking destinations you may find yourself in, Egyptian Arabic is a good dialect to begin learning because Arabic speakers around the world will be able to understand you. You may have difficulty understanding their dialect at first, but they will at least be able to understand you. You can adjust your new colloquial Arabic accordingly from that point.