Learn Arabic Online for Free: 33 Resources and Online Arabic Classes

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There are some amazing resources out there so you can learn Arabic online, free!

In fact, there are so many Arabic courses online, it can be difficult to know where to start. How do you know which of the Arabic resources are right for you?

That’s where this article comes in. I’ve explored countless free Arabic learning tools to find the very best. What’s great is that there’s something for every level, whether you are just learning how to say hi in Arabic or if you are ready to read full articles in Arabic script

Let’s take a look at these free Arabic language resources and classes.

5 Free Online Audio & Podcasts to Help You Learn Arabic

Audio is a great way to learn Arabic. You can take it with you wherever you go, like on your commute or when you’re running out to the corner shop. You can also listen while you do chores around the house.

In this list, I’ve opted for Arabic podcasts and audio that provide a step-by-step Arabic class, or that teach Arabic as it’s spoken in the real world.

Here’s where to start with Arabic language audio:

1. ArabicPod101

The Innovative Language podcasts are a favorite resource of the Fluent in 3 Months team. That’s why I advise you to try out ArabicPod101.

It’s free to sign up for and has an impressive amount of Arabic content available at every level, from complete beginner to advanced. You get a one-week free trial to test out lessons at all skill levels. After that, you do have to pay for the more advanced lessons and premium material, but it’s very much worth it.

2. Language Transfer

Language Transfer is a popular Arabic language course that’s designed for intensive learning. It’s similar to the Michel Thomas method.

3. TuneIn

You can listen to radio from many Arabic speaking countries on TuneIn. Test out a few stations based on the dialect you’d like to learn, see what catches your attention.

4. Forvo

Forvo is a great place to listen to Arabic words spoken by a native speaker. It has a large database and is a good reference for pronunciation.

5. LanguageGuide.org

LanguageGuide.org is a well-curated collection of Arabic vocabulary with audio accompaniment.

YouTube: Free Video Arabic Lessons

YouTube is an excellent place to learn Arabic online. Video has the added benefits of letting you see facial expressions, body language and other non-verbal aspects of the Arabic language.

The following channels will give you many hours of free Arabic lessons:

1. ArabicPod101

In addition to their free podcast lessons, ArabicPod101 also has an excellent YouTube channel with hours of free content.

2. Easy Arabic

I love the Easy Languages channel because it offers you a lot of local culture and context.

In the Easy Arabic series, the hosts go out onto the streets of Cairo, Egypt and interview the people they meet there.

It’s a great way to hear the way people speak real Arabic. You’ll pick up conversational Arabic expressions, and improve your listening comprehension.

3. Learn Arabic with Maha

Maha is a popular Arabic language teacher on YouTube. Her channel has dozens of short, fun videos.

4. Learn Arabic with Zakaria

The bite-sized, animated cartoons on Learn Arabic with Zakaria are a cute way to learn the language. The channel is aimed at kids, but is ideal for any beginner learner.

5. Learn Lebanese with Hiba Najem

If you’re interested in learning the Lebanese dialect of Arabic, the channel Learn Lebanese Arabic with Hiba Najem will be of particular interest. It currently has more than 75 lessons.

3 Free Online Arabic Courses and Systems

When you’re just starting out with Arabic, it can be helpful to follow a structured Arabic course. Here are three of my favorite free Arabic courses:

1. Live Lingua

Choose from more than 54 free courses in various dialects on Live Lingua. It’s a database of Peace Corps and FSI coursebooks and audio materials.

2. Madinah Arabic

Madinah Arabic has two free online courses for Arabic language learners. One course is for those who don’t yet read the script and another for those who can.

It teaches MSA (Modern Standard Arabic).

3. BBC Languages

BBC Languages is a fantastic introduction to the Arabic language with video and tons of accompanying material.

Free Arabic Language Apps

Apps are a handy way to learn a new language, especially for those who like to study on the go.

1. Memrise

Memrise and Anki are flashcard systems that you can use to create your own Arabic vocabulary decks. You can also download decks already created by other users.

The desktop version of Anki is free, as is the basic version of Memrise.

2. Duolingo

Duolingo is a popular language learning app that introduces you to both Arabic vocabulary and grammar. It’s a gamified platform, so it’s fun to learn and easy to maintain your daily streaks.

3. Drops

Drops helps you build your Arabic vocabulary.

With the free version of the app, you just get five minutes of study time per day. But you can get a lot done in those five minutes.

4. Clozemaster

Clozemaster uses cloze (fill in the blank) to help you master new vocabulary in Arabic.

Free Online Arabic Language Resources for Advanced Arabic Learners

Take a Free Online Course in Arabic

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) not only offer Arabic language courses, but they also offer courses on other subjects in Arabic.

If you’d like to use Arabic to learn more about something you’re passionate in, taking an online course in Arabic can be a useful way to do two things at once.

1. Coursera

There are currently four courses in Arabic on Coursera, and more than 40 subtitled in the language.

2. EdX

Much like Coursera, EdX also offers courses where Arabic is the language of instruction. Currently, they have one course on Human Rights, but more courses being added in the future is always a possibility.

Watch Arabic Vloggers on YouTube

Arabic vloggers cover everything from comedy to fashion to food, so you’re sure to find a YouTube personality who covers a topic that you’re interested in.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Noor Stars is one of the most well known Arabic-speaking vloggers on YouTube. She covers lifestyle themes, fashion, and makeup.
• Shady Srour is known for his comedic and relatable videos, Shady is a popular Arabic language Youtuber.
• EyshElly’s host speaks Peninsular Arabic (Saudi Arabia). It features reviews of viral videos, comedy skits and more.
• Njoud features videos that cover everything from Youtube challenges to comedy.
• Laila Mourad is a channel for those interested in fitness or travel. Laila documents her daily life, travel and workout routines.
• MjrmGames features a mix of videos including pranks, gameplay and music videos.
• The Saudi Reporters are twin brothers from Saudi Arabia. On their channel, they host challenges, share comedic skits, do food tasting and science experiments.

Free Arabic Language Reading Materials

There’s a decent selection of Arabic reading resources available to you as a learner online for free. These include:

1. Wikipedia

Use Wikipedia to read short articles in Arabic. You can switch back to your native language to check your comprehension.

2. LingQ

LingQ is a popular online learning system that helps you acquire new vocabulary through its reading interface. It’s free to sign up, though if you want to use it long-term you’ll need to opt for a paid plan.

Want More? Check the favorite Arabic Arabic resources of Benny Lewis, founder of Fluent in 3 Months.