Why learn Arabic? Arabic follows Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, Hindi, and French as one of the most commonly spoken languages globally. More than 300 million people across the world speak this ancient tongue, and its speakers are primarily located in the Middle East along the Arabian Peninsula.
It would be highly advisable to learn this language, as it holds significant importance in various industries, particularly oil and gas but also including infrastructure, fashion, and tourism. In addition, there are several cool reasons to learn Arabic, not to mention plenty of opportunities available for individuals looking to broaden their professional and linguistic horizons.
Arabic is a valuable language to learn as it enables professionals to expand into new markets and strengthen their international networks. Moreover, it can improve their capacity to communicate effectively with clients from diverse cultures, broaden their global reach, and cultivate long-lasting relationships in Arabic-speaking countries.
We hope by the end of this article that you’ll be able to answer for yourself—should you learn Arabic?
12 reasons to learn Arabic
Make the choice to learn Arabic and see the benefits for yourself.
You should absolutely learn Arabic if you want to grow academically, professionally, and personally. Here are our top reasons why learning Arabic is a great idea:
1. Inspire personal growth
Embarking on the journey to achieve fluency in Arabic involves overcoming challenging language barriers through consistency, dedication, and unwavering perseverance. Navigating through these challenges helps you develop strong mental resilience, emotional intelligence, and social skills that will help you adapt to new and uncertain communication situations. This, in turn, boosts confidence, determination, and patience.
2. Get immersed in multilingualism
Being able to speak multiple languages can be incredibly advantageous for those who enjoy conversing with others and maintaining a professional image. Arabic, in particular, has strong connections to other Semitic languages like Hebrew and Amharic. Learning Arabic can help polyglots expand their linguistic skills and improve their understanding of similar phonetics, word structures, sentence formations, and historical connections within this unique language family.
3. Explore opportunities for career growth
“The Arab World” offers a wide range of opportunities for international business partnerships, commercial exchange, and career advancement in various sectors such as finance, technology, energy, education, tourism, and diplomacy. Its abundant natural resources, growing economies, and growing geopolitical influence all contribute to this. Having a strong command of Arabic is crucial for individuals to succeed in today’s ever-changing and competitive job market.
4. Gain an academic advantage
One of the best reasons to learn Arabic is the benefit to academics. Proficiency in Arabic offers significant advantages to researchers, analysts, and publishers in various fields such as anthropology, comparative literature, history, Middle Eastern studies, religious studies, sociology, and translation.
It enables them to effectively acquire, interpret, evaluate, and share primary source materials. Having proficiency in the Arabic language distinguishes accomplished academics from their less versatile counterparts.
5. Take advantage of international networking opportunities
A person’s ability to successfully conduct business internationally can be greatly improved by being able to communicate in a business language such as Arabic. This language can open doors to new academic and business opportunities that can help learners improve communication and relationships with customers and partners across various geographies and sectors. Multilingualism can significantly increase your ability to succeed in international business.
6. Get a glimpse into geopolitics
If you’re interested in geopolitics, learning Arabic is a great idea.
Because of the Middle East’s strategic position, abundant resources, and rising tensions, having a great grasp of Arabic is extremely beneficial in sectors connected to international relations, national security, peacekeeping operations, and crisis management. Professional Arabists continue to play an important role in addressing vital global concerns, such as the fight against terrorism and the reduction of refugee crises.
7. Read Arabic texts in depth
There are tons of texts written in Arabic, and if you are an avid reader, then this is one of the best reasons to learn Arabic. Arabic poems and literature take you to a world where beautiful words tell wonderful stories and beautiful music soothes the soul.
Learning to read and write Arabic is the best way to fully enjoy the Arab world’s rich literary history, which includes both old classics and new masterpieces. If you want to grow spiritually, knowing Arabic will help you understand Islam better, and you can even access the Quran in its original language!
8. Travel with confidence to Arabic-speaking countries
Being able to converse with locals in their original language will definitely enhance your experience while traveling in Arab-speaking countries. Through the acquisition of Arabic language skills, you will be able to confidently navigate through the lively markets of Marrakech, breeze through the bustling streets of Cairo, or see the historical wonders of Jordan.
Take advantage of the genuine experiences that Arabic-speaking countries have to offer and immerse yourself deeply in them.
9. Expand your worldview
Learn Arabic as a means to bridge cultural divides and foster mutual understanding. With this new linguistic ability, you may join in on the global conversations happening in diplomatic and international venues.
Knowing Arabic helps you understand and explain Arab ideas, behaviors, and worldviews more clearly. Being fluent in Arabic can impact your views and ability to share ideas on global debates and discussions on pressing issues around the world.
10. Enhance your brainpower
Learning the complexities of the Arabic language will ensure that you embark on a mental journey like no other. Research has shown that learning a new language, particularly one with a complex alphabet like Arabic, might improve mental capacities including memory, reasoning, and multitasking. Challenge yourself to become fluent in this charming language and sharpen your mind as a result.
11. Diversify your language portfolio
Learn Arabic to expand your skills and build your cultural awareness.
Perhaps you’re already proficient in more than one language, or not. Either way, you can enhance your language skills by expanding your lexicon to include Arabic. The unique writing and phonetics of Arabic, a Semitic language, set it apart.
Learning Arabic and immersing yourself in its rich linguistic diversity is a great way to improve your language abilities and understand the complexities of human communication. So consider the impact this new skill could have on your career while answering, should you learn Arabic?
12. Discover endless cultural gems
Understanding Arabic opens up a vast array of cultural treasures waiting to be explored. Exploring the Arabic language gives you insight into a world of diverse Arab traditions, literature, art, music, and history. Indulge in the captivating allure of various cultures and expand your perspective by exploring an unmatched cultural legacy.
Our Online Advisor can match you with 5 Arabic language programs—it’s free!
3 Arabic programs to get you started
1. AUB Summer Arabic Programs
- Why? The American University of Beirut has been lauded for its strong academic programs and wide liberal arts education, offering over hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs. Join an intensive, competitive summer language program for seven weeks to hone your skills. Learn Arabic to communicate with local speakers while exploring Beirut.
- Where? Beirut, Lebanon
- Read American University of Beirut reviews
2. ISA Study Abroad in Meknes, Morocco
- Why? ISA’s mission is to help college students experience, understand, and appreciate many cultures and ways of life. Meknes, sometimes called the “Versailles of Morocco,” is a stunning example of the peaceful blend of Morocco’s Arab, Berber, and French heritages. Learn Arabic at your own pace with a choice of beginning, intermediate, or expert courses. On top of that, you’ll be able to pick up the Meknesia dialect, Darija.
- Where? Meknes, Morocco
- Read ISA (International Studies Abroad) reviews
3. Study Arabic in Germany (Colloquial Levantine & MSA Arabic)
- Why? While the sister community center in Hebron, Palestine debuted in 2011, the Excellence Center in Europe launched in Germany in 2018. Arabic language classes span one to 12 weeks and are provided year-round. These dialects include MSA, Classical Arabic, Palestinian Colloquial Arabic, Colloquial Levantine Arabic, and Ammiya Arabic. Halle, home to many refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers, has a unique Arabic-German culture, proving the Arabic language’s usefulness outside of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Where? Halle, Germany
- Read Excellence Center in Europe reviews
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Should you learn Arabic? We can’t think of a reason not to!
Why learn Arabic? For the cultural connections, academic and professional perks, and more!
Learning Arabic can lead to fulfilling careers in human rights, business, diplomacy, international relations, and countless other fields for individuals who are passionate about making a difference. Having proficiency in Arabic can help you connect with people from other cultural backgrounds, improve your understanding of their language and culture, and fill a growing need for language specialists. So it’s time to make a decision and consider which of the many reasons to learn Arabic you will subscribe to!
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