The Arabic Language course at Waraqa is for learners who want a real Arabic curriculum — not 100 phrases, not an app, but a path that takes you from the alphabet to reading classical texts. We teach one-to-one, with a curriculum that adapts to your goal: classical/Qur’anic Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), or both in sequence.
What you actually learn
Stage 1 covers reading mechanics — the 28 letters in all four positions, the short and long vowels, sukoon, shadda, tanwīn — until you can read any vocalised Arabic text. Stage 2 builds the grammatical foundations: the three-letter root system, the basic verb forms, the case system (nominative, accusative, genitive), the iḍāfa, the definite article, pronoun suffixes, and the difference between nominal and verbal sentences. Stage 3 takes you into reading short, real texts (short surahs, simple ḥadīth, graded articles) with vocabulary growing 50 words a week. Stage 4 introduces the ten classical verb forms and morphology, after which your vocabulary grows by generating from roots rather than memorising. Stage 5 is fluent reading of classical texts — Tafsīr, fiqh, and adab.
How the lessons work
Lessons are 45 or 60 minutes, twice a week, with 15 minutes of daily practice in between. We use a stable curriculum — typically Madinah Arabic for Qur’an-focused students or al-Kitāb fī Ta‘allum al-‘Arabīyya for MSA-focused students — and we hold to it for at least the first year. Switching textbooks mid-stream is the most common reason Arabic students stall.
Realistic timelines
For an adult studying 2 hours a week with daily practice: Stage 1 in 1–2 months, Stage 2 in 6–9 months, Stage 3 in 12–18 months, Stage 4 in 18–24 months, Stage 5 onward from year two. Children of 9+ progress at a similar pace, with stronger long-term retention. We will agree realistic milestones with you up front — not 90-day fluency promises.
Classical vs MSA — which path?
If your main goal is the Qur’an, we recommend the classical path with Qur’anic vocabulary built in from day one. If your main goal is reading newspapers, books, or living in an Arab country, we recommend MSA. If you want both, classical first usually carries you into MSA almost for free, while MSA-first requires extra classical reading later. Your teacher will help you decide during the free evaluation.
Why we differ
One teacher kept long-term. A real curriculum followed sequentially. Vocabulary taught by root families, not by random word lists. Reading taught from real Arabic texts — not invented sentences — from day one. And realistic milestones the whole way so you can measure real progress.
Begin this week
Book a free 20-minute evaluation. Your teacher will assess where you are, recommend a path (classical, MSA, or sequenced), agree a cadence, and send you a written learning plan within 24 hours.
What we focus on
The skills we sharpen most in this program
- Modern Standard Arabic foundations: alphabet, vowel signs, and reading without harakat
- Speaking practice every lesson — vocabulary built around real situations
- Grammar (nahw) and morphology (sarf) introduced gradually with examples first
- Reading short classical texts so students can engage with Quran and Sunnah Arabic
- Personalized pace — child, teen, adult, or revert tracks all available
How class time is used
Pick the class format that fits your week
You decide how the lesson time is spent. Tell us your preference when you book — your teacher will adapt accordingly and adjust as the student progresses.
Study at home, speak in class
Vocabulary lists, exercises, and reading drills are completed at home between lessons. Class time is spent speaking, asking questions, and pronunciation work — turning passive knowledge into real Arabic.
Full lesson taught in class
Everything happens during the live hour: explanation, practice, and review. No homework expected. Best for adults who need a teacher-led environment to stay consistent.
Balanced: explain in class, practice at home
Concepts are introduced with the teacher; drills and writing exercises are sent home. The most common choice — keeps progress steady without overloading either end.