Arabic is an increasingly popular language in today's society. Most people, however, do not begin to study the language until they are adults. Arabic is only rarely offered as a standard language in public schools and even more rarely to young children. Despite this, experts such as Mary Lynn Redmond, the executive secretary of the National Network for Early Language Learning, say that language learning early in life is far more effective. If you want your kids to learn Arabic, one of the best ways to do so is online.

Steps for Learning Arabic Online

Talk to your child about learning Arabic. Both you and your kid need to know why studying the language is important and how it is going to work.

Start at the beginning. Except with very young children, it is best to learn the Arabic alphabet as early as possible. If your kid knows the alphabet, he or she will be able to read Arabic websites and books quickly. Check out the Arabic alphabet lesson and pronunciations at www.arabic2000.com/arabic/alphabet.html.

Seek out Arabic websites specifically designed for children. While there are many Arabic learning sites out there, some, like www.funwitharabic.com/, are more kid friendly than others. Look for websites that incorporate images, games and music as part of their lessons.

Relate the Arabic lessons to world cultures. Kids are more likely to enjoy their language learning if they can see how the language is actually used. Look for websites about how children live in Arabic-speaking countries. The National Peace Corps Association has a collection of stories, including some about the Middle East, at www.katw.org/index.cfm.

Find stories and music in Arabic. There are many websites offering short stories, comics and music in the Arabic language. These will provide practice for your kids' language skills while making the process more fun. You can find a good selection of comics at www.arabcomics.net/phpbb3/portal.php.

Look for real-life situations in which to practice Arabic. You can learn the basics on the Internet, but your kid will have more fun with the language if he or she can actually use it. Arabic cultural events, travel and Arabic-speaking friends can enhance the online learning experience.