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Tips for Arabic Speakers

العربية

Arabic speakers often have a strong feel for grammar. The main areas to work on are the verb "be", articles, some vowel and consonant sounds, and English sentence length.

Common Challenges

The Verb "be"

Arabic does not use a verb for "be" in present-tense sentences. English always needs it.

Example: "She is a doctor" not "She doctor". "They are happy" not "They happy".

Extra Pronouns in Relative Clauses

Arabic repeats the pronoun in relative clauses. English does not.

Example: "The book that I read was good" not "The book that I read it was good".

"The" for General Ideas

Arabic uses al- for general ideas. English uses no article.

Example: "Life is hard" not "The life is hard". "I like music" not "I like the music".

P and B

Arabic has no "p" sound, so "p" and "b" are easy to confuse.

Example: Practice: park/bark, pen/Ben, pill/bill.

Vowel Sounds

English has many more vowel sounds than Arabic.

Example: Practice: ship/sheep, full/fool, bed/bad.

Very Long Sentences

Arabic writing often joins many ideas with "and". English prefers shorter sentences.

Example: Split long chains of "and... and... and" into separate sentences.

Grammar Focus Areas

Present Tense "be"

Always include am, is or are: "The weather is hot today."

Relative Clauses

After "who", "which" or "that", do not repeat the object: "the man who I met" not "the man who I met him".

Articles

Use "the" for specific things only: "The music at the party was loud" but "Music helps me relax".

Present Simple vs Continuous

Use the present simple for habits and the continuous for now: "I work in a bank" vs "I am working now".

Capital Letters

Arabic has no capital letters. Use them for "I", names, places, days, months and the start of sentences.

Plural Nouns

Add -s after numbers above one: "three students", "many books".

Vocabulary Advice

  • Some English words come from Arabic, such as algebra, algorithm, coffee and sugar
  • Learn words with their prepositions: "interested in", "listen to", "arrive at"
  • Learn spelling carefully, including vowels. Arabic writing often leaves short vowels out
  • Practice words with "p" and "v" sounds
  • Learn uncountable nouns: information, advice, furniture, homework
  • Build vocabulary through extensive reading in English

Exam Strategies

  • In writing, check that every clause has a verb, especially a form of "be"
  • Keep sentences to one or two clauses. Use full stops more often
  • Check spelling of vowels in key words ("recieve" vs "receive")
  • In speaking, work on p/b and on vowel length
  • Practice reading speed with left-to-right texts under time limits
  • Use linking words like "however" and "therefore" instead of repeating "and"

ثابر على الاجتهاد! Your analytical approach to language will serve you well in mastering English.

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English Exam Tips for Arabic Speakers

Arabic speakers often have a strong feel for grammar. The main areas to work on are the verb "be", articles, some vowel and consonant sounds, and English sentence length.

Common Challenges for Arabic Speakers

  • The Verb "be": Arabic does not use a verb for "be" in present-tense sentences. English always needs it. Example: "She is a doctor" not "She doctor". "They are happy" not "They happy".
  • Extra Pronouns in Relative Clauses: Arabic repeats the pronoun in relative clauses. English does not. Example: "The book that I read was good" not "The book that I read it was good".
  • "The" for General Ideas: Arabic uses al- for general ideas. English uses no article. Example: "Life is hard" not "The life is hard". "I like music" not "I like the music".
  • P and B: Arabic has no "p" sound, so "p" and "b" are easy to confuse. Example: Practice: park/bark, pen/Ben, pill/bill.
  • Vowel Sounds: English has many more vowel sounds than Arabic. Example: Practice: ship/sheep, full/fool, bed/bad.
  • Very Long Sentences: Arabic writing often joins many ideas with "and". English prefers shorter sentences. Example: Split long chains of "and... and... and" into separate sentences.

Grammar Tips for Arabic Speakers

  • Present Tense "be": Always include am, is or are: "The weather is hot today."
  • Relative Clauses: After "who", "which" or "that", do not repeat the object: "the man who I met" not "the man who I met him".
  • Articles: Use "the" for specific things only: "The music at the party was loud" but "Music helps me relax".
  • Present Simple vs Continuous: Use the present simple for habits and the continuous for now: "I work in a bank" vs "I am working now".
  • Capital Letters: Arabic has no capital letters. Use them for "I", names, places, days, months and the start of sentences.
  • Plural Nouns: Add -s after numbers above one: "three students", "many books".

Vocabulary Advice

  • Some English words come from Arabic, such as algebra, algorithm, coffee and sugar
  • Learn words with their prepositions: "interested in", "listen to", "arrive at"
  • Learn spelling carefully, including vowels. Arabic writing often leaves short vowels out
  • Practice words with "p" and "v" sounds
  • Learn uncountable nouns: information, advice, furniture, homework
  • Build vocabulary through extensive reading in English

Exam Strategies

  • In writing, check that every clause has a verb, especially a form of "be"
  • Keep sentences to one or two clauses. Use full stops more often
  • Check spelling of vowels in key words ("recieve" vs "receive")
  • In speaking, work on p/b and on vowel length
  • Practice reading speed with left-to-right texts under time limits
  • Use linking words like "however" and "therefore" instead of repeating "and"

ثابر على الاجتهاد! Your analytical approach to language will serve you well in mastering English.