Five Reasons to Learn Arabic
Arabic Speakers Are In Demand
1. Arabic is the fifth most commonly spoken language in the world. There are over 300 million people who speak Arabic. Arabic is the official language of over 20 countries. Most Arabic speakers live in the Middle East, but there are Arabic speakers throughout the world. Arabic is also an official language of the United Nations, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference, and the African Union.
2. There aren’t many Arabic speakers in the West. There is a high demand for Arabic speakers in the West, but relatively few people learn Arabic. The Middle East and Islam are both growing in importance in international politics and business. Jobs for Arabic speakers are available in government, business, consulting, journalism, education, and translation. In 2006, the Iraq Study Group reported that the lack of Arabic speakers has hurt U.S. intelligence collection and analysis. At U.S. embassy in Iraq at that time only 33 of 1,000 staff members spoke Arabic! The Washington Post reported that just 33 of the F.B.I.’s 12,000 agents speak Arabic.
3. There are scholarships and grants available to people learning Arabic. The US government has designated Arabic as a language of strategic importance. The National Strategic Language Initiative instituted in 2006 promotes the learning of Arabic among Americans through numerous scholarships and supported learning opportunities. These include support for language courses from beginning to advanced levels, study abroad programs, intensive instruction opportunities, teacher exchanges, and professional development.
4. You can make money if you speak Arabic. Initiatives to integrate the Arab world into the global economy are opening up numerous potential new business opportunities in the Middle East. The Arab region with its rapidly growing population provides a huge export market for goods and services. With a GDP of over 600 billion dollars annually, the region also has much to offer the world market. Companies are looking for English/Arabic speakers for positions at home and abroad. In order to do business effectively, you must understand the language and culture of the people you are working with.
5. Arabic is the language of Islam. Millions of people speak Arabic as their native language. Millions more learn Arabic as a foreign language because they are Muslims, and Arabic is the language of the Qu’ran. Arabic is understood by millions of Muslims all around the world. As more people learn to speak Arabic and understand the people and culture of the Middle East, more cross-cultural communication can happen. Remember that companies are not only looking for those who speak Arabic, but those who understand the culture.
Where in the world do Arabic speakers live?
Most Arabic speakers live in the Middle East and North Africa, as shown on the map on the left. The green areas are countries where Arabic is the official language. The blue areas are countries where Arabic is one of several languages spoken. Arab speakers also live in other areas of the world. Indonesia, for example, has many Muslims, many of whom speak Arabic.
Learning Arabic is Learning Culture
As you learn Arabic, you will be exposed to the culture, music, art, religion, and worldview of the people who speak Arabic. Remember to have an open mind and look for things you can enjoy and appreciate about this new culture. Arabs are warm, affectionate people with a gift for poetry and music. Try finding a link for Arabic music in our sponsor list on the right. Listen and see what you think!
Give your mind a chance to travel through foreign languages.
- Neil Simon