Arabic Lessons in Birmingham

” مع جريدة” (With a Newspaper)

Looking for a song in Arabic that is catchy, easy to understand and not too grammatically complex? “With a Newspaper” is the perfect choice for you. Based on the poems of Syrian writer Nizar Qabbani, it tells the emotional story of two refugees who flee their country looking for a better life. The lyrics are beautiful and use formal Arabic, so you can practise what you learn in your course with Listen & Learn. Furthermore, this song is well-known, so you won’t have any problems finding the lyrics online! Click here to listen to this song.

“حبيتك بالصيف” (I Loved You in the Summer)

“I Loved You in the Summer” is a romantic song by one of the most well-known Arab singers from Lebanon, Fayrouz. This song is great for beginners because it uses a lot of basic vocabulary, like the seasons (alsayf is summer, shata’ is winter, rbye is spring and alkharif is autumn). But the song is also useful for advanced levels who want to put their vocabulary to the test and challenge themselves to understand the gist of the song: unrequited love. The singer uses advanced words and expressions to describe her suffering, so keep the lyrics to hand! Click here to listen to this song.

“انت عمرى” (You Are My Life)

“You Are My Life” is, as you may have guessed, a romantic song by an Egyptian singer and songwriter, so it’s a great idea to listen to it to familiarise yourself with different Arabic accents. Some new terms you will hear include your eyes (euyunk), your light (nurik) and my heart (qalbi). In terms of grammar, the song is quite simple because it only includes verbs in the past and the imperative, like forgot (nasit) or gave (aetaa), so listening to the song is a great way to revise your course contents. Click here to listen to "You are my life".

Your First 100 Words in Arabic

Beginner-level students can take advantage of this book designed to help learners overcome the obstacles of reading and writing the Arabic script. It mainly focuses on calligraphy and how letters are joined to form words with clear explanations in English, so you don’t have any doubts. Each chapter represents the vocabulary category you will be learning, such as home, opposites, animals, parts of the body, and more. Plus, the book includes a set of flashcards with charming visuals to help you remember new terms and a workbook with hundreds of grammar and vocabulary exercises. Click here to buy the book.

The Night Mail – Hoda Barakat

The Night Mail will introduce you to the gripping story of four immigrants who have arrived in Lebanon. The novel depicts how their fates intertwine by chance and how the conflict and trauma affect them. In addition to learning more Arabic vocabulary and structures, you will discover the Lebanese culture and history (such as the Lebanese Civil War, 1975–1990). You will also read and learn more about how the characters celebrate Eid al-Fitr (Breaking the Fast), a religious festivity commemorated by Muslims all over the world. Click here and learn more about the novel.

Women Without Trace – Mohammed Abi Samra

If want to learn Arabic while getting to know more about the women of the MENA region, then Women Without Trace by Mohammed Abi Samra is the novel for you. The story follows four women, scattered across Lebanon, and the hardships they endure during the Lebanese Civil War. In addition to exploring themes like identity and diaspora, the novel shows how women’s lives compared to those of the men. The narrative is quite complex, so the book is best suited for advanced learners. Click here and learn more about the novel.