Here is your chance to learn Arabic

Dubai: So you've been in the UAE for years but your knowledge of Arabic does not go beyond "Assalamu Alaikom" (Peace Be With You). For a majority of expatriates in multicultural Dubai, Arabic remains a foreign language.Many blame themselves for not doing enough, but all is not lost.

Two local institutions — Eton Institute in Dubai Knowledge Village and Assahaba Centre on Abu Hail Road — offer free Arabic classes and students rave about their new-found preoccupation.

"Arabic is the second most popular foreign language among learners in the US after Spanish," said Emily, a US teacher of English in Dubai. "I started learning Arabic back home, but I soon forgot it. In Dubai, it's easier to learn."

Emily is part of a 15-member class at Eton.

Egyptian Mahmood Yacoub, 32, who has been teaching Arabic for three years here, said: "The best way to learn Arabic is to think Arabic." How difficult is it to teach Arabic to non-Arabs? "It's a challenge. But I love it. It's a joy to hear when a non-Arab starts to string Arabic words together."

Miranda, an Italian, said: "I'm ashamed that I haven't learnt Arabic in my four years in Dubai. The only way to master a language is practice, so I signed up."

Abdul Majid G. Danagal, Arabic teacher at Assahaba Centre, said: "Repetition and practice — these are the keys." Devani Pascual, a 40-year-old Filipina secretary in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, is one of several students of Friday classes at the Assahaba Centre. "I'm forcing myself to learn as I need it at my workplace. We're in an Arab country and I have an Egyptian husband. Now I can talk to my son in Arabic." Victoria Mortensen, a Danish mother of two, said she finds learning Arabic "refreshing".

As the free classes are limited to 15 seats, others pay for the lessons. Martha, a US vet, said: "I thought Arabic was beyond me. But I realised it is possible if you start with the basics. It's a joy to learn."