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Dubai: Duolingo, an online language learning portal with over 300 million users, recently added Arabic to its courses. Carnegie Mellon University professor Louis von Ahn launched the app with Severin Hacker in 2012 with the goal of creating a free language learning platform.
But while Arabic is classified as one of the “super-difficult” languages by the U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs due to its complex grammar, diverse dialects, and rich vocabulary, the app’s “game-like lessons” help you learn. Is it enough or useful for people?
In an essay published on June 26, 2019 on Duolingo’s official website, Hope Wilson, a learning scientist at Duolingo, argues that just because a language is difficult to learn doesn’t mean it’s “unlearnable.” It states that it will not become. “You can speak any language on earth, and with enough time and effort, adults can do the same,” he said. In theory, Wilson seems right.
However, as Muhamed Al Khalil, chair of Arabic studies and associate professor of Arabic practice at New York University Abu Dhabi, points out, Arabic has a more complex system than many other languages.
But Russian, for example, shares certain characteristics with Arabic that make it relatively easy for Russian speakers to learn Arabic, al-Khalil told Arab News. However, the same cannot be said for native English speakers.
Similarly, May Zaki, associate professor in the Department of Arabic Language and Translation at the American University of Sharjah, said learning Arabic is not that difficult for native speakers of Persian or Urdu. “Arabic is also easier for Spanish speakers to learn than English speakers because the grammar and some vocabulary are similar,” she told Arab News.
Zaki said Arabic has more complexity than most European languages in terms of its script, roots and pattern system. As a result, she said, it takes more time for learners to become proficient in Arabic than in French or Spanish.
She praised Duolingo for adding Arabic to its language menu. “I personally tried it out to see what it felt like from a teacher’s perspective,” she said. “It would be a great addition at a later stage if Duolingo offered the option to learn one colloquial expression. Egyptian Arabic and Shami (Syrian) Arabic being the most popular choices. It could be,” Zaki said.
Duolingo’s Arabic courses take learners step-by-step through the teaching process. Introducing the Arabic alphabet with audio exercises. “The challenging level of these exercises ensures that learners engage their brains to master new alphabets,” Wilson said in his essay.
Yomna Taha, a native Arabic speaker, tried some Arabic lessons on Duolingo and was impressed. “I was curious and checked it out, and from my experience it was pretty good,” she told Arab News. “There aren’t many language teaching apps that work that well.”
Mariam Hamad, another native Arabic speaker who tried Duolingo, had mixed verdicts. “The app is easy to use, but I don’t think it will have a big impact on Arabic language teaching,” she says.
She said she only uses the app in emergencies or when she needs a quick translation while abroad. “Arabic is so nuanced that you probably need an actual tutor, preferably one from an Arab background,” she says.
Al Khalil from New York University Abu Dhabi said Duolingo created the possibility of practice and provided an opportunity not only to learn Arabic vocabulary but also to construct sentences.
At the same time, he pointed out one of Duolingo’s limitations. That is, while language is a social activity, apps lack human interaction such as body language and facial expressions. Therefore, platforms alone may not be enough for learners to master Arabic.
Lynette Schoeman, who is trying to learn Arabic, found Duolingo lessons useless. She said she would like to learn the language through YouTube videos or take one-on-one classes. “Also, Arabic lessons don’t have visuals, unlike Spanish lessons, which are provided out of the box,” Schoeman said.
Baris Dur, who completed the Duolingo Arabic course, found the lessons helpful and the app easy to use. But the problems he faces are all too common in the Middle East. None of his friends speak Standard Arabic. “It’s difficult for me to understand their different dialects,” he told Arab News.
Zaki said there is no doubt that the difference between formal and colloquial forms adds to the challenges for Arabic language learners. The solution in this situation is that “Learners who want to fully master Arabic should learn both languages and acquire the skills to use the appropriate language in the appropriate situation,” she says. said.
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