"We are having a great time. The teacher is well prepared and provides very good materials. We are very happy with the training we are receiving. Thank you!"
Anne James
Arabic course in Bristol.
Arabic Lessons in London
Although most of the Arab communities in London are condensed in Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, their influence on the local culture can be felt everywhere. As you walk down the streets, you’ll find Arab cafes, Halal restaurants and stores that sell their products. What’s more, you’ll probably hear many Londoners speak Arabic, as according to the 2011 census, it’s the ninth most used language in the city after English, with 70,602 estimated speakers. If Arab culture has always sparked your interest, learning their language is the best thing you can do to understand it more deeply. Additionally, you’ll get closer to the Arab communities, and expand your opportunities in the city.
Why Study Arabic in London?
Learn Arabic for Work and Travel
Whether you’re just beginning your career or you’re a seasoned professional, having Arabic as one of your language skills will open many chances to advance your career in London. In contrast with other languages like Spanish and French, which are some of the most common second languages among British people, Arabic is still one of the least chosen languages by students. This makes the demand for Arabic speakers much higher, especially among companies that are looking to expand internationally and want to build business relationships in the Middle East and North Africa. Furthermore, there are many excellent job positions in London that are exclusive for bilinguals like Knowledge Engineer for Amazon, Business Representative for Zendesk and Partner Operations Manager for Google.
Learn Arabic for Social
One of the most impressive festivals that celebrate Arab culture in the city is London’s Shubbak Festival. Held annually in June, the festival showcases the best contemporary visual artists, musicians, actors, writers, dancers and filmmakers from the Arab community. This festival is packed with many events across London, like live music performances, film screenings, plays and talks. In addition to having the unique chance to enjoy some of the most impressive local performers, you'll also get to join online live streams from other countries like Palestine, Iraq, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In short, if you’re curious about the impact of the Arab communities on the local and international art scene, you can’t miss this festival.
Another great way to get to know Arab culture is by tasting some of their traditional dishes. At Damascino House, located at Woodward Buildings 1 Victoria Road, you can try labneh, which is strained yoghurt served with olive oil and dried thyme, marinated chicken livers flambeed in lemon, and lamb bourak, a deep-fried pastry filled with minced lamb and onions. The restaurant also offers a great selection of Chef Specials that you simply can’t miss. They include Maroccan Tajine, Shawarma Arabi and Fattat. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a great place to eat delicious vegan-friendly versions of traditional Arab dishes, you should pay a visit to Round Falafel, located at 79B Parkway. They offer falafel wraps, hummus, and other plant-based dishes that you and your friends will love.
Learn Arabic for Culture
Whether you can only speak a little Arabic or you’re a fluent speaker, you probably want to use your skills in an actual conversation. If so, there are many places in London where you can go to meet people from all around the world who are as passionate about the language as you. London’s Arab Circle, for example, is a great group for anyone interested in learning about Arab culture and chatting with native speakers. They organise all sorts of events like picnics, language exchanges and free language classes taught by native speakers. If you want to know where their meetings are held, you have to become a member of the virtual group.
If in addition to boosting your Arabic skills you want to meet learners of all kinds of languages, you can attend one of the meetings organized by Mammoth London Language Exchange. It’s one of the biggest language communities in London where can find people speaking more than twenty languages, which include Arabic. They meet on Sundays at Be At One, located at 17 Greek Street, to have a fun language exchange where you can have drinks, play games, and most importantly, make friends.
Where to learn Arabic in and around London?
A great way to immerse yourself in Arab culture while improving your listening skills is to watch films in Arabic. Fortunately, London’s Public Library has a great collection of films you can check out like The Perfect Candidate, directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour, an inspiring story about a young doctor called Maryam who becomes the first female political candidate in her town, or Tel Aviv on Fire, a comedy in Arabic and Hebrew about a Palestinian man who becomes a Soap Opera writer.
However, if your goal is to be fluent in Arabic, watching films is not enough. The best choice to truly learn the language is Listen & Learn. All you have to do is send us a quick enquiry and one of our team members will pair you up with a native teacher who will create a completely personalised course based on your interests and skill level. On top of that, you can choose to have the lesson in the comfort of your home, your office in London or online using Skype or Zoom.
The type of courses we offer:
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General Arabic
These Arabic lessons fit a broader spectrum and can be useful for those who need different things from the language. Most beginner students will have a handle of survival Arabic by the end of their lesson, which will provide them with enough Arabic to communicate at least at a basic level during short trips to the country, but those who require more would benefit greatly from these sessions. Typical students have been those eager to travel all over the world, those buying overseas property, those with foreign spouses, aficionados of Arabic culture and those who just wish to pass a particular Arabic exam. Enquire now about our Arabic Courses or Take A Free Arabic Level Test
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) Business Arabic
The people who would benefit the most from these Arabic tutorials are those who feel they need to learn Arabic to help them out in their business lives. For starters, learning salutations and business etiquette is essential. Once these have been practised, then reading and writing lessons can begin. Typical studiers have been those involved in international imports/exports, negotiations and acquisitions, multinational companies requiring another language and those working in any way with international governments and relevant administration. Even our simplest lesson for beginners will have students finishing the lessons with basic telephone and e-mail Arabic as well as survival Arabic should a visit to the country be necessary. Enquire now about our Arabic Courses or Take A Free Arabic Level Test
Face-to-Face Closed (Private) Group General or Business Arabic
The Arabic lessons are also available for 2 or more people studying together (Two-to-One Arabic Lessons or Small Group In-Company Arabic Lessons). All participants must have the same level, the same business or general language needs and be able to study at the same time in the same location. The booking must be made for all participants at the same time. Listen & Learn does not recommend group classes of more than 6-8 people though In-Company Taster Arabic Lessons can be run with up to 12 people. Enquire now about our Arabic Courses or Take A Free Arabic Level Test
Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online 1-to-1 (Individual) General or Business Arabic
You and your colleagues can be trained by our native-speaking fully-qualified Arabic tutors at a time and location to suit you. Classes can take place any day, even weekends, and can happen in the morning, afternoon or evening. If the case may be that your home or office is not convenient, there is always the option to take your classes at the office of your teacher. Study books for the lesson are provided. Enquire now about our Arabic Courses or Take A Free Arabic Level Test
Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online Group (Closed or Open) General or Business Arabic
Lessons in Arabic are also accessible for two or more people studying in tandem (Two-to-One Arabic Lessons or Small Group In-Company Arabic Lessons). All those involved must have around the same experience of the language, similar needs of areas of proficiency and must be able to meet at the same time and place. Bookings must be made for all students at the same time. Listen & Learn does not advise classes of more than 6-8 people, though In-Company Taster Arabic sessions can be run with as many as 12 people. Enquire now about our Arabic Courses or Take A Free Arabic Level Test
Top Tips For…
arabic Songs
” 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.arabic Songs
“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".arabic Books
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.arabic Books
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.Testimonials
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Nick Sage
French in London
My Listen & Learn tutor, Yann, made a huge effort to help me understand how the grammar works, and how to say things properly – these aren’t things you can learn from a book
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20 Essex Street Barristers
Language learned: Swedish in London.
Varian Medical Systems UK Ltd.
Language learned: English in Crawley.
