In this episode Jennifer shares insights from her 15 years of experience as a language advisor and program director in Amman, Jordan. With over 1,800 students coached, Jennifer discusses common language errors that are often made while learning spoken Levantine Arabic.

This episode focuses on two key categories of errors:

1. Verbs with Different Functions: You'll gain awareness of how Arabic verbs can differ significantly from their English counterparts. For instance, while English uses one verb for "to spread," Arabic employs two distinct verbs depending on the context—one for spreading news and another for spreading tangible items like butter. Jennifer highlights the nuances in verb usage and encourages learners to observe these differences in order to improve their communication.

2. Overuse of Delexicalized Verbs: Learn about the pitfalls of relying on delexicalized verbs and helping verbs in Arabic, such as "got" or "made." Jennifer emphasizes that Arabic verbs often carry more meaning on their own, urging learners to adopt more precise language instead of defaulting to simpler expressions that they may use in their first language.

Throughout the episode, listeners will gain practical examples in Levantine Arabic and tips for navigating these common challenges learners face with this dialect. This is the beginning of a series aimed at improving your language skills by becoming aware of common mistakes Arabic learners make—stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll cover additional errors and provide further insights into effective communication in Levantine Arabic.

Don't forget to like and share this episode with anyone interested in learning Arabic!

Shababeek center: https://shababeekcenter.com

Shababeek YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@shababeek-learnspokenlevan8982