Arabic Links

salam 3alaikum ya banaat!!

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So now I am back with a little bit more casual posting. I am excited to talk about things that randomly pop into my mind for a while instead of trying to stick with a theme.

For my first post back I am doing a link dump. YAY!!

All of these links are great (FREE) ways to study Arabic. Personally I have no $$$ to spend on Arabic classes or tutoring or lessons so free coursework online is great for me. Many of these can also be opened on a smart phone if you have a pdf reader and internet connection!

1. Live Mocha: This site offers vocab lessons, review sessions, writing prompts, and speaking prompts. All submissions are reviewed by native speakers for you and they give you tips on improving your language. You can also chat with native speakers in order to practice and review other people's submissions in your native language and help them learn as well! You can move at your own pace and be as active or as absent as you feel necessary. They offer many more languages beyond Arabic as well.
Practices: Listening, Speaking, Writing, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar

2. Understand Qur'an: Understand Qur'an focuses on learning Arabic through Qur'anic vocabulary. They introduce vocabulary and grammar concepts using common Islamic phrases, du3a, and verses. They program they use to introduce grammar and conjugation is really easy to remember mashaAllah and is worth it, even if you don't finish the rest of the course. The course includes text book, workbook, instructional videos, power points, quizzes, tests, posters, vocab sheets, and audio.
Practices: Listening, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar

3. Foreign Service Institute:  FSI has put together many language texts that are now in the public domain. The Arabic courses include Written Arabic, Levantine Arabic, Saudi Arabic, and Comparative Arabic. They include student texts and audio files for listening. I haven't looked through all of the courses but the Saudi Arabic course has a good focus on conversation examples and dialect explanations which is really nice if you want to be able to actually talk to someone.
Practices: Listening, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Dialects

4. Islamic Online University/ Fanar Institute: They offer free online certificate/diploma courses in Islamic Studies. They are less intense than degree courses. They offer one introductory Arabic course for free in the diploma section that is for beginners called "Arabic reading and writing made easy." I assume it starts from the very beginning, but I haven't actually started it yet. I haven't started any of the other courses from this site either as I haven't confirmed if it is giving correct knowledge.
Practices: Will update when I start the course inshaAllah

5. Madinah Arabic: Offers free Arabic courses for learning to read and beyond. They have flashcards and a text that is pretty easy to navigate. You can read the text online or they also provide a .pdf file you can download and print. I think this is better for reading and writing since it is missing the listening/speaking sections.
Practices: Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar

6. Kalamullah: Kallamullah has many Arabic textbooks for free download. Many (but not all) come with downloadable video or audio content to accompany the book. This is great for those of us who really prefer independent study and having a lot of options or variety in study materials. This resource also includes many English/Arabic dictionaries and articles with advice on learning Arabic as a second language!
Practices: Listening, Writing, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar

7. Cartoons: Never underestimate media as a tool for learning a new language! I prefer watching kids shows since generally they don't have the sex or violence in adult movies and the language is usually at a lower level and easier to grasp. This site has a lot of Arabic cartoons posted and even movies that you will recognize that have been translated into Arabic from English. A really good one believe it or not is Dora the Explorer (search دورا on the website). They throw in some English words every once in a while to help get your bearings, they repeat phrases often so you can get the idea and the vocabulary is basic.
Practices: Listening, Vocabulary

You can add a speaking component to each of these courses by simply finding someone who will take it with you and practice together! Don't have someone willing to take the course? At least find someone to tell about what you learned even if they have no idea what you are talking about lol, just saying it out loud to someone will be very helpful.

If you know of any other good, free sources for learning Arabic, please let me know!!

L is for...

Line Dances:

ahhhh line dances. They remind me of summer camps and being a kid.

I was a camp councellor back in the day. Line dancing was a way of getting all the kiddos involved without having to touch anyone :-P. I loved showing the kids that they could have a good time without grinding on each other the way the "grown-ups" did on tv.

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I learned a lot of line dances and taught a lot and forgot a lot. The electric slide, the hustle, the cupid shuffle, the bunny hop...

As a muslim I try to avoid music when possible unless it is instrument-less. But that doesn't mean I don't dance... I still love to cut a rug, but mostly when no one is looking (or just some of my close friends :-).

Line dancing is one of those things that will always remind me of my "youth" and "back in the day." It makes me remember being a leader, and making stupid mistakes in my life, and growing up and being responsible. It reminds me of spending time with my mom and dad and friends from my childhood. It also reminds me of the effect of music on people and why it is something that is better avoided**.

Also did you know that line dances are cross cultural?? Once I watched a video of a Arab Gulf wedding and the men were doing a "traditional dance" which I swear was exactly the same as the electric slide. You see them everywhere! They are community dances that include everyone and allow you to keep your personal space a the same time. Awesome.

** Note: I'm not bringing this up so we can have a discussion on whether you think music is halal or haraam. I am of the opinion that it is something in a grey area that people argue about so it is better to avoid it because it leads to haram.

J is for...

Journey:

I had never lived away from my family until I got married. I had an apartment during college but it was about 5 minutes away from my parents house. When I lived in an apartment without a washer and dryer, I took my clothes to my parents house to clean them.

When I got married I moved away, about an 18 hour drive. I got on a plane with one day's notice and left my friends and family behind.

I moved to a place with more Muslims, but it is not any more "islamic" than my hometown. Maybe even less so, since the good manners that southern people have are mysteriously missing in this part of the world.

I consider this a trial-run for living in my husband's country.

Can I make it without being able to drive and have my own car? Can I make it without having my family around 24/7? Can I suffice with just phone calls and text messages with my friends? Can I adjust to a different culture (yes I maybe in the same country but the culture is still very different where we live)? Can I make it in a place where I don't go anywhere without my husband? Can I make it only getting to watch videos of my nieces growing up? Can I make it in a place where I don't know anyone and have no support system?

So far... yes alhamdulillah I've been able to make it.

I won't lie and say that I don't miss my old life. I really really do... but alhamdulillah I am happy and content with this life too. I feel fulfilled taking care of my tiny little family, I don't like driving anyway and my husband is my best friend so why should I complain having him around all the time?

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I feel that this is the beginning of our journey. InshaAllah it will be a grand adventure.

Compromise

Salam 3alaikum!

So I've heard that marriage is about compromise. I feel like this is especially true when  you come from two different cultures. Here are some ways that we have started compromising...

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Win for America:

• cold milk really is good with sweet stuff
• peanut butter is a completely acceptable sandwich filling
• every tv show doesn't need to be a soap opera
• biscuits can go with almost any meal (and are not cookies lol)

Win for Arabia:

• kibdeh (liver) is really delicious for breakfast
• qahwa is waaaay better than black coffee
• soccer > football
• looking nice in the house is not a waste of time and effort

How do you compromise? Are there things that you refuse to compromise about? Do you feel like you are always the one who has to give in?