How to Use Arabic by Roots
Arabic by Roots is a free program that helps children and beginners read Arabic through connected root families.
Each lesson focuses on one root. The child meets that root many times inside words, sentences, a story, and different forms of practice. This repeated contact helps vocabulary accumulate and makes words easier to recognize.
The program is available through the website and Android app, and the interface and word meanings are available in 14 languages.
Before beginning
The child should know the Arabic letters and basic vowel marks.
Perfect speed is not required. Once the child recognizes the letters and can attempt a fully vowelled word, begin the lessons.
Do not delay reading because the child has not mastered every alphabet exercise. Knowledge of the letters becomes stronger when the child sees them repeatedly inside real words.
What happens inside a lesson?
Lessons move from simpler language toward connected reading and active practice.
The exact sections may vary between lessons, so it is better to follow the lesson in order than to memorize a fixed number of steps.
Meet the words
The child sees the main vocabulary and its meaning.
Listen and repeat
The child hears real recordings by the male teacher and repeats the words or sentences.
Break down difficult words
Words are divided into readable parts and then put back together.
Read sentences
The vocabulary appears inside short sentences instead of remaining as isolated words.
Read connected text
A paragraph or story brings the lesson vocabulary together. This is where fluency and understanding begin to grow.
Practice in different ways
Depending on the lesson, the child may find comprehension questions, learning games, verb forms, dictation, writing, and a reading check.
The lesson also connects the root to a Qur’anic verse.
The purpose is not to complete sections as quickly as possible. The purpose is to meet the same useful vocabulary in several forms.
How long should a child study?
Fifteen minutes is a useful minimum. A focused session of 20 to 30 minutes is suitable for many children.
The time can include:
- Reviewing older vocabulary.
- Continuing a new part of the lesson.
- Reading sentences or the story.
- Answering questions or playing a learning game.
- Practicing dictation or copying a sentence.
- Returning to a difficult section.
A lesson does not need to be completed in one sitting. It can be spread across several days and reviewed again later.
The more meaningful time the child spends reading and using the words, the more securely the vocabulary is remembered.
Do not always move to a new lesson
A common mistake is to complete a lesson once and never open it again.
Review is essential.
On the second reading, the child spends less effort decoding each letter and can pay more attention to the whole word and sentence.
A simple routine could be:
- Study a new lesson across several days.
- Reread the story near the end of the week.
- Review the lesson again the following week.
- Return to an older completed lesson after several weeks.
This repeated practice is how vocabulary and reading speed accumulate.
Should we begin with grammar?
No. Begin with words, correct audio, and sentences.
As the child repeatedly sees examples, they start noticing how verbs and word forms change. A teacher or parent can then give a short explanation, such as:
“This form tells us about something that happened before. This form tells us about something happening now.”
Grammar should support the reading experience. It should not replace the time needed to read and use vocabulary.
How should the audio be used?
The program uses real recordings by the male teacher rather than synthetic text-to-speech.
A useful sequence is:
- Listen to the word.
- Look carefully at its letters and harakat.
- Repeat it.
- Read it without the recording.
- Meet it again inside a sentence and story.
Combining sound, written form, reading, and repetition makes vocabulary more memorable.
Which lesson should we choose first?
Choose a topic that interests the child.
Each lesson introduces a root family and a complete set of connected practice. The main goal is not to finish the largest possible number of lessons. It is to read each lesson carefully and return to it until the words become familiar.
What is the parent’s role?
Parents do not need to be fluent in Arabic.
They can help by:
- Setting a regular practice time.
- Playing the correct audio.
- Encouraging the child to attempt the words.
- Revisiting vocabulary and stories.
- Allowing slow reading.
- Avoiding pressure over mistakes.
- Checking that old lessons are reviewed, not only completed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arabic by Roots an alphabet course?
No. Knowledge of the letters and harakat is a prerequisite. The program begins where the child starts practicing real words and sentences.
Must a child finish one lesson every day?
No. It is better to give enough time for practice, even when one lesson takes several days.
Is the app different from the website?
The app provides easy access to the same learning program and lessons.
Does the child need an account?
No account is required to open the lessons and begin.
What produces the best results?
Consistency and repetition. A word rarely becomes permanent after one encounter, and a language is not acquired by memorizing grammar rules alone. Learning grows as the child listens, reads, repeats, and uses the language.