Learn Moroccan Arabic Online or In Fez, Morocco

In order to interact with Moroccans from all levels of society, Moroccan Arabic (Darija) is the most helpful language. For some people, it may be sufficient to only know French, especially for those who live in Casablanca or Rabat. For those who work in higher education or interact with people who have a high level of education, Modern Standard Arabic (Fossha) will be used most often. Additionally, for those who live in more rural areas, it may be more beneficial to study the Amazigh dialect of that region.

The local dialect of Arabic in Morocco is called Darija (الدارجة), which means “everyday, colloquial language.” Each country where Arabic is the primary language has developed its own local language. Arabs often refer to this local language as a “dialect” of Arabic, but Moroccan Arabic is a mixture of numerous different languages and was especially influenced by Amazigh/Berber. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA/Fossha), which is the international Arabic language, is used in writing and in official communication, but often feels somewhat artificial, or stuffy, because people don’t actually speak MSA. Because the Arabic language is so closely connected to religion, the language has not been able to freely develop the way other languages do; however, the Darija of each country is the language of the people that changes and adapts over time.

Arabic dialects live, change, and evolve, and can be properly understood as a continuum of Arabic. Speakers of Darija with geographic proximity will tend to understand each other, whereas Arabic speakers from distant places will have a harder time understanding each other. As a result, speakers of Moroccan Arabic will often not be understood by Arabic speakers from the East. Interestingly, Moroccans will understand Arabic from the Middle East (these dialects being closer to Classical Arabic), and because countries like Egypt have a great reach in the Arab world through movies and music. It has been estimated that Moroccan Darija shares over 70-75% of its vocabulary with Fossha, and is, therefore, a good starting point to learn any type of Arabic.

Moroccan Darija is not 100% Arabic because it contains a mixture of words taken from Modern Standard Arabic, Amazigh/Berber language, French, and to a lesser extent words from Spanish and English. Moroccan Darija speakers frequently borrow words from French and Spanish (in northern Morocco) and conjugate them according to the rules of the dialect, which makes for some interesting-sounding words. Additionally, it continues to evolve by integrating new French or English words, especially in technical fields. 

Learning Modern Standard Arabic (Fossha) is worthwhile for those who wish to live, work, or interact in the Arabic-speaking world. Knowing Fossha is necessary for the purpose of taking in information, such as reading signs and documents, and listening to the news and other media. If your goal is to work in media, diplomacy, interpretation, or to have the broadest Arabic opportunities available, then Modern Standard Arabic will be the best route for you.

TL:DR The answer to this question depends on your goal for studying a language. A local dialect of Arabic, such as Moroccan Darija, is useful for communicating in everyday life. Modern Standard Arabic is a literary language used in official settings and media. However, Darija is a useful starting point to continue Arabic studies.

Arabic is usually considered one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn, especially for native-English (or other Romance language) speakers. However, this doesn’t mean that it is impossible to learn Arabic! Moroccan Arabic is easier to learn than Modern Standard Arabic because the vocabulary and grammar have been greatly simplified for ease of communication.

Pronunciation is a major area of difficulty when learning Arabic. The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters, and their pronunciation is definitely different than the letters known from Romance languages. Arabic sounds come from the mouth and throat, and there are around seven sounds that don’t exist in English at all.

Learning the Arabic alphabet may seem complex at first, but with enough practice, it becomes natural. The first thing that is different is that Arabic is read from left to right. Arabic is also always written in cursive, never in individual “printed” characters. The letters are always attached on the left or the right or on both sides, taking a different form according to their position. This means that letters actually change shape based on whether they’re in the beginning, the middle, or the end of a word. This feature of the language can be difficult at first but comes with practice.

When it comes to grammar, verb conjugation takes into account not only whether the subject is singular or plural, but also the gender; the conjugation is different when talking to/about a man than for a woman.

Moroccan Arabic may not be easy to learn, but when you find a method that works for you and dedicate yourself to studying, you can learn it.

How long it takes someone to learn Arabic will depend on a number of factors. If someone is immersed and able to practice often in everyday life, then progress will likely be faster. If someone has the ability to focus on language learning, committing at least fifteen hours per week to studies (in class, homework, and practice), then progress will likely be swift. In order to study Moroccan Arabic and speak it confidently, students should plan on spending a year or two in language learning, or even longer if they are able.

Learning Arabic is possible, and people need to find an approach that works for them. For most people who are used to traditional language learning methods that focus on reading and writing in addition to speaking and listening, a communicative approach that focuses on combining the core learning styles (auditory, visual, reading and writing) will yield results for everyone.

Because Arabic dialects are not literary languages, they are not often written down, leading many to believe that language learners only need to practice speaking and listening. However, we believe in a communicative approach that combines speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural understanding, where students begin speaking from the very first day. This works for people to effectively learn Arabic, regardless of whether their learning style is visual, auditory, or reading and writing.

Our experienced teachers take you through not only the rules of the language (grammar, structure, syntax) but also communicative habits (e.g. how to greet someone). We combine our structured in-class learning with written materials, audio recordings, and printed and electronic flashcards so that you can learn in the way that works for you. With flexible scheduling available, we will help you develop your Darija communication abilities as well as Moroccan cultural awareness.