The sum of funding going to the EdTech sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has significantly increased, notably since the COVID-19 pandemic; this is clear from the number of resulting announcements of the establishment of startups with a focus on this area or the growth of businesses and platforms that have led the way in providing people with educational technology services as investors devote more of their investments and venture capital to the adoption and support of educational technologies throughout the region.
Concepts like self-directed learning and online learning have emerged as some of the most crucial elements of the educational process; this emphasizes the tools used by these educational models, which primarily rely on e-learning platforms, whether they are open source or closed source, and which have become a crucial requirement if you want to improve your skills and your life.
self-learning platforms offer many benefits to users, including flexibility of time and location, cost savings from avoiding expensive travel expenses or tuition fees, and the ability to keep up with changes in the fields of study. However, for many people in the region who do not speak English, the absence of Arabic content on these platforms continues to be a barrier.
This article lists some of the top online learning and self-learning platforms supporting the Arabic language to help you obtain the necessary information, science, and skills and set yourself apart on the market.
1. Edraak
Edraak is one of the essential free Arab self-learning platforms and was established in 2014 by the Queen Rania Foundation in Jordan in partnership with the leading EDX platform. Edraak offers free educational courses for all Arabic speakers in many areas through distinguished Arab professors and experts in their fields. Also, it grants a certificate upon completion of training courses completely free of charge.
2. Yanfaa
The platform contains over 250 high-quality courses in several necessary fields such as design, entrepreneurship, photography, content creation, technology, languages, marketing, and other areas required in the market. The platform is characterized by the ability to watch any course with only one subscription, and the subscription price is low compared to the value of the content provided.
3. Mahara Tech
Maharah Tech is one of the most important initiatives undertaken by the Egyptian Ministry of Communications in cooperation with its Information Technology Institute (ITI). The Maharah Tech platform provides high-quality technological courses and complete educational courses in the most demanded technical skills in the market. These courses are free of charge, making Maharah Tech one of the best free Arab self-learning sites in technology.
4. Almentor
One of the wonderful Arab self-learning websites that are characterized by providing high-quality courses, whether for professional life or personal life and these courses are offered by experts specialized in many fields such as languages, business administration, arts, design, sales management, marketing, science and technology, education, relationships, health, and other fields. The subscription cost is low, and the Almentor platform also provides some free courses you can watch once you log in to the website.
5. Rwaq
One of the best Arab educational platforms that are interested in providing free courses in Arabic in many disciplines which are offered by distinguished academics from various Arab countries. You can benefit from these courses, whether you are a university student, by increasing your knowledge in your field of specialisation or even if you want to learn about other vocations, as the platform contains courses, visual lectures, interactive exercises, an interactive community, in addition to the possibility of obtaining certificates when completing the studies you attended on the website.
6. Academy Hsoub
One of the Arabic self-learning platforms that provide high-quality articles and free lectures in many fields, such as freelancing, programming, entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, and design. Hsoub Academy offers paid coding courses, one of the best sources for learning programming in Arabic.
7. Benaa Academy
Benaa Academy is a platform that aims to build a successful family capable of facing the risks and challenges of our time, as the platform is mainly concerned with developing children’s skills by providing specialized courses in developing children’s mental and creative abilities and developing educational skills for parents to make them more able to improve the behavior of their children. The content of the Benaa platform is characterized by its high quality and low cost.
8. Abwaab
One of the best educational study platforms and contains chapters on a simplified explanation of the curricula in many Arab countries, including all academic levels, starting from the first grade of primary school to the third grade of secondary school. The platform is characterized by simplifying curriculum concepts through short videos presented by distinguished teachers. Abwaab also contains question and exercise banks after each lesson and some challenge games and competitions on the platform.
9. Little Thinking Minds
A leading award-winning educational technology company that aims to improve Arabic language learning for children at all school levels. The company is committed to improving learning outcomes, upgrading language skills, and strengthening cultural and social ties. Jordan is the headquarters of Little Thinking Minds, with offices in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. There are more than 200,000 students in more than 500 schools, including public schools, using Little Thinking Minds’ learning platforms across the Arab world and the world. These platforms aim to help support the educational needs of schools with few educational resources and communities supporting refugee children.
10. Classera
A platform that aims to enable each individual to reach their maximum potential in the simplest possible way by using the best innovative and inspiring learning solutions. Classera was established in 2012 to form an advanced and integrated educational system and platforms and formed a coalition of global strategic partnerships to provide the finest educational services to its partners until it became one of the pioneers of educational technology globally after it started from Silicon Valley in America to the heart of the Middle East to the far east of Asia, where Classera reached in its journey to more than 30 countries around the world.
FAQs to Learn the Arabic Language
How much does it cost to learn Arabic online?
The cost of learning Arabic online can vary depending on the platform or course you choose. However, most online Arabic courses cost between $50 and $200.
How long does it take to learn Arabic online?
The time needed to learn Arabic online varies based on factors like your learning style, motivation, and study commitment. Generally, experts suggest that it takes around 600-700 hours of study to reach the beginner level in Arabic.
What are the benefits of learning Arabic online?
There are many benefits to learning Arabic online. Some of the benefits include:
- Flexibility: You can learn Arabic at your own pace and time, which is perfect for busy people.
- Affordability: There are many affordable online courses available, so you don’t have to break the bank to learn Arabic.
- Convenience: You can learn Arabic from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection.
- Access to a variety of resources: There are a wealth of online resources available to help you learn Arabic, including lessons, practice exercises, and cultural information.
