Job Discussion Forums

[Hemlock32]

Does anyone have any advice on where to take classes to learn Arabic?

Shukran!

[nomad soul]

You'll be in Qatar by the end of this month. Ask other expats about lessons once you get settled into work.

[Yorks Lad]

Hemlock,

They do have classes at the Fanar in Doha - a cultural centre near the souq that looks a bit like a helter-skelter. As I've said before though, you'll have difficulty finding anyone to practise with. If you were learning, say, Spanish, you'd practise by ordering your coffee in Spanish, speaking to a shopkeeper or telling the taxi driver where you wanted to go. In Qatar, all these jobs are done by expats, typically Indians, Sri Lankans and Filipinos (though many others as well). They hardly ever speak any Arabic.

On my last visit, I tried to pick up a teach yourself book in Arabic. Interestingly, they were very hard to find, though the local bookstore did have plenty of French school books and teach yourself Spanish, Italian etc. I did eventually get one but have never been able to use the bits that I've learned other than basic greetings.

Yorks.

[nomad soul]

[Yorks Lad]

Hemlock,

Coincidentally, there was something in the paper today about language courses in Doha:

https://tii.qa/en/tii-arabic-language-program-0

Might be worth a look,

Yorks Lad

[Hemlock32]