Popular Arabic Textbooks for Students Worldwide | Learn&Co

Textbooks are some of the most traditional and efficient tools for learning foreign languages.

They support you with fundamental mechanics of a new language as well as explanations in your native language. This gives you the solid framework you will need for the rest of your language learning journey.

If you take a formal foreign language class at a school or other institution, undeniably the teacher will be arranging their lesson plans to a certain degree around the structure of the textbook they are utilising. Unless the teacher is exceptionally committed to organising all their lesson plans completely from scratch, they will most likely be dependent on a textbook to provide tasks and homework assignments.

Besides, the use of textbooks are not necessarily restricted to the classroom. They can also be exceptional resources for the solo learner of a foreign language. Using a textbook helps to give you that classic classroom experience. Making use of textbooks on your own may be more practical than using them in a classroom. This is because you have the say when determining which textbook is best for you. This is better than being pushed to go along with a particular textbook that is set for class curriculum.

In this article, I’ve gathered 6 widely used Arabic textbooks that are primarily created to help master Modern Standard Arabic. These Arabic textbooks vary from all levels from beginners to advanced.

And remember, if you need support whilst learning from a textbook, then our 1 to 1 experienced tutors at Learn&Co are always on hand ready to help you at your level and pace!

Alif Baa
Al-Kitaab Series
Ahlan wa Sahlan Series
Arabic Verbs and Essentials of Grammar
Media Arabic
Advanced Media Arabic

Alif Baa

“Alif Baa” is an entry-level Arabic textbook that teaches beginners how to read and write the Arabic alphabet. While learners practice writing the Arabic letters with this book, they also learn basic words and greetings. An interesting aspect is that the writing lessons use arrows to help visualise how to correctly write the curvilinear script.

This textbook strongly emphasises transcription exercises and practice sessions for connecting letters. This is to familiarise students with Arabic script and sounds, especially those that have no English counterparts. This is perfect for beginner learners to start understanding how to write and read the Modern Standard Arabic alphabet.

Al-Kitaab Series

The “Al-Kitaab” series is unquestionably the most widely used series of Arabic textbooks. Its impact also extends to many study-abroad programs for English speakers in the Arab world. This makes the transition between locations much easier as the learner continues their Arabic studies. The goal of the series is to provide students with competence in the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition to reading and writing exercises in the printed textbooks, the series also includes video and audio recordings.

“Al-Kitaab,” is outstanding for learning how to talk about deeper, more abstract cultural and political issues in Arabic-speaking regions. However, the one critique of this book, often mentioned by both teachers and learners, is the seemingly illogical vocabulary lists. For example, the book first teaches you the word for ‘Caravan’ before you’re taught the simple word for ‘Bad’.

Ahlan wa Sahlan Series

The “Ahlan wa Sahlan” Series is the second most widely used Arabic textbook after the “Al-Kitaab” Series. There is a general consensus that “Al-Kitaab,” for a Modern Standard Arabic textbook, has somewhat more emphasis on conversations whereas “Ahlan wa Sahlan” is more concentrated on mastering the grammar.

So, if your future emphasis is on reading Arabic literature, “Ahlan wa Sahlan” is the book to go with. If not, then you may want to go with “Al-Kitaab.” Despite this focus on reading and grammar, it has been complimented for having more realistic vocabulary lists than “Al-Kitaab.” The key is to consider your requirements, interests, objectives, and preferred learning style when deciding between these textbook series.

This series teaches students to read, speak, and write Arabic, with a heavy focus on grammar. All while presenting an engaging story that involves Adnan, a Syrian student studying in the United States, and Michael, an American student studying in Cairo.

Arabic Verbs and Essentials of Grammar

Many people who have used Arabic verbs and Essentials of Grammar believe that this syntax devoted textbook has all that a person needs to communicate confidently in a new language. It offers a solid foundation of major verbal and grammatical concepts of the language. From pronouns to idioms and expressions and from irregular verbs to expressions of time, this book has it all! Arabic follows a sophisticated structure of consonantal roots and vowel patterns, making nearly every word derivable.

Each unit is one theme, so you can find what you need right away, each with dedicated instructions. Brief yet thorough, each of the explanations has several examples to help you learn the different concepts. As for those tricky verbs, Arabic Verbs & Essentials of Grammar includes a Verb Index of the most common verbs. This is cross-referenced with the abundant verb tables appearing all through the book. This book will give you an exceptional introduction to the basics of Arabic. Perfect for if you’re a beginner, or a quick thorough reference if you already have some familiarity in the language.

Media Arabic

This intermediate Arabic textbook, for those who have learnt the fundamentals of grammar and are ready to take on longer Arabic texts, is a great option. Naturally, since the book follows a newspaper arrangement, it serves as a great facilitator in connecting learners with the social and political issues in the Arab world through the Arabic language itself.

Using this textbook, students will be able to master core vocabulary and structures typical of front-page news. They will be able to acknowledge various modes of coverage, differentiate fact from opinion, detect bias, and read critically in Arabic.

In addition, the book offers three self-assessment units and a glossary arranged by theme. The book empowers students to read lengthy texts with greater accuracy and pace. This is by concentrating on the relationships among meaning, language form, and markers of cohesive discourse. The activities include pre-reading discussions, and extensive practice on vocabulary in context, organising information, skimming, scanning, critical reading, and analysis.

Advanced Media Arabic

This textbook for advanced learners is next on our list. For those who are ready for true authentic texts, the book consists of Arabic language articles from Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic, and more acclaimed news sources. A unit in this textbook consists of one main article followed by comprehension questions, tasks on specific grammatical concepts, an English-Arabic translation exercise and a writing task. It covers all the crucial areas of journalism in the Arab world from elections to economy. This book will set you on the right course for immersing yourself in authentic Arabic materials.

Advanced Media Arabic provides students and teachers with a variety of media texts and audio materials. They are designed to allow learners to develop, enhance and refine their media language skills, as well as their translation and analytical skills. The textbook offers learners a wide range of exercises on reading comprehension, speaking, writing, and listening. It also presents them with the chance to equip themselves with journalistic skills such as giving presentations and writing articles.

So to wrap things up, I would recommend that you keep the following in mind

No matter your starting point, there are a number of books that can help you on your journey to learn Arabic. These learning books provided will both teach and test you and provide you a greater understanding of the intricacies of what is a fascinating and sought after language. With these textbooks and Learn&Co by your side, you can become one of the 466 million Arabic speakers worldwide and truly realise your full potential.