Arabic script may seem beautiful yet very strange to the Western eye at first sight. It’s a non-Roman script that reads from left to right with letters joining together, and no capitals. Because it is so different to English and other Roman texts, it can be quite a challenge to learn how to write it.
The best way to start writing Arabic is to start off with learning how to draw the basic letters of the alphabet, then moving up to two and three letter words before progressing up to longer words and eventually sentences. Trying to learn writing in full words and sentences from time go can be very confusing if you don’t have basic knowledge of the Arabic alphabet. Once you know how to sound out letters, you’ll be able to spell words.
Books for Learning to Write in Arabic
I’ve put together this list of books available at Amazon that are easy to understand and take you through learning to write in Arabic script, step by step. Great for first time learners or if you just want to polish up your Arabic writing skills.
The Arabic Alphabet: How to Read & Write It by Putros Samano. A simple guide that shows you how to write each letter, stroke by stroke. This book contains very good pronunciation tips, and helps the reader become well acquainted with the Arabic alphabet and how to read and write it. After finishing this book, you will have a good understanding of the Arabic alphabet.
Easy Arabic Script by Mahmoud Gaafar. Goes briefly over the history of the Arabic language, then shows you each letter and exactly how to write it. It also features a pronunciation guide, and Arabic numerals one to ten. There are small spaces where you can practice writing, I recommend you get a notebook to accompany this book and keep practicing after you’ve filled in the spaces.
Write It in Arabic, Second Edition: A Workbook and Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Arabic Alphabet by Naglaa Ghali. You can find it here. The revised second edition, this workbook makes reading and writing Arabic very simple. There are no complicated explanations or grammar lessons which are beyond the beginning Arabic reader. It takes you easily through becoming familiar with the shapes and sounds of each letter, then practicing learning to write them. From there you learn how to join letters, forming small words.
Teach Yourself Beginner’s Arabic Script by John Mace. You can buy it here . Introduces the alphabet in easy stages, and incorporates a little grammar into each one. There are plenty of exercises and tests for practicing at the end of each unit. The print is small and there are no directions on how to write the letters, but nevertheless a very good introductory book.
Tip
It’s a good idea to go over the pronunciation of each letter with an Arabic speaker, or to get some audio materials with a native speaker slowly reading each one. There are some letters in Arabic that are not found in the English language, and you may need some help with sounding them out. With these books, writing in Arabic script will definitely be made easier, and not so strange and daunting after all.