Arabic Lessons in Chicago

“ألوان الرياح” (Colors of the Wind)

If you’re looking to sharpen your Arabic listening skills, there’s no better way than by enjoying music and songs. In fact, it’s even better if you’re already familiar with the lyrics and the tune from your own language, as you can decipher unknown words from the context. So, why not revisit your childhood and listen to the Arabic version of Pocahontas’ “Colors of the Wind”? Find out what her voice sounds with an Egyptian accent and pick up some new words, like shajara (tree), allawn (color), or rusim (paint), while listening to beautiful music. Listen to the song here!

“حوار الحجاب” (The Hijab Conversation)

This song not only has a beautiful melody and will help you fine-tune your listening comprehension skills, but it tells a story that will give you insights into the fascinating Arab culture. The song follows the story of a girl that announces to her father that she has decided to start wearing a hijab now that she’s a woman. The song is catchy, slow, and repetitive, making it a great option for beginner levels to develop their listening skills. Find the lyrics online and sing along to this beautiful piece to improve your pronunciation! Listen to the song here!

“The Sea Creatures Song”

Listening to songs made for children is a great idea for students who are just starting their language journey. One great example is ”The Sea Creatures Song,” a piece designed to teach children the letters, colors, and names of animals in Arabic. You’ll also learn how to form plurals and which animals are always referenced in the singular form. Another advantage is that it’s the song uses formal Arabic and not a dialect, so you won’t get confused with slang or conversational phrases if you are just beginning your Arabic course. Listen to the song here!

The Commandments- Adel Esmat

This amazing novel follows the story of an Egyptian family through many generations. It begins in the 1920s with the end of the First World War and concludes in 1952 with the Egyptian Revolution. Each chapter represents a year in the grandfather’s life until he dies and the son continues the story, sharing words of wisdom and passing on advice to the next generation. Due to its rich historical context, this novel is an opportunity to learn a lot about Egyptian history and culture in addition to picking up new Arabic vocabulary. Learn more about the book here.

The Second War of the Dog – Ibrahim Nasrallah

Reading books in Arabic is brilliant for intermediate and advanced students who wish to improve their reading skills and build up their lexicon while having fun. If you enjoy sci-fi, for example, The Second War of the Dog will get you hooked. This is a futuristic novel set in an imaginary country where religious groups take control of the government with the support of the people. It has elements of fiction and fantasy, so low-level students of Arabic may struggle to know which words are invented and which ones they do not know yet initially. Click here to know more about the book.

One Room Is Not Enough – Sultan Al Ameemi

If you love a good mystery, then One Room is not Enough is an exciting choice, as well as an opportunity to learn more about the Arabic language and the culture of Saudi Arabia. The novel follows a man who wakes up in a room without doors or windows. Not knowing how he got there, he explores the room, only to find out that there is another man who looks exactly like him in the cell next to his. The book is about him trying to escape this strange place while watching what his clone is doing through the keyhole of his room. Click here to know more about the book.