How to Greet Moms on Mother’s Day in Arabic

by nynasma | May 11, 2024 | BLOG

Hey folks! So, today I unleashed a brand-spankin’-new reel giving my mom the Mother’s Day greeting she deserves! Brace yourselves, it’s sarcastic, but hey, truth is stranger than fiction, am I right? 😄 I suggest you hit play on the reel first, then dive into the script. Trust me, it’s like a secret sauce for learning: visual reinforcement, vocab boost, and it even helps you decipher pronunciation and grammar! 📽️📚

As usual, I’ve provided you the script in both phonetics, Arabic script, and the translation of course! Below you will also find some useful notes & vocabulary list to add to your flashcards!

Enjoy the show and let the linguistic adventures begin! 🎉

Phonetic Script:  

Yin3ad 3ala kil el-emeyet b dene w khasatan eme yale b7eba w bmut fiha.

Bade elek merci ktir 3ala kil kaf ra7 w kil kaf eja. Fazi3ah shu saweebeh! Kif ma kabayte el-mesheye btseab! W ma badna ninsa ma3la2et el-khashab, hayde kenit rfe2it eme el-intime. Ya wayle shu kenit tiz3al lama titkasar!

Wala shad el-sha3er, wala el-arsah. “Shu bade etzakar la etzakar”. La2 la2 bus 3anjad b7ebek ktir. W Allah ykhalile yeke’.

Arabic script: 

ينعاد على كل الامّيات بالدني وخاصتاً امي يلي بحبها وبموت فيها،

بدي قلك ميرسي (شكراً)، على كل كف راح وكل كف اجى، فظيعة شو صييبة، كيف ما كبيتي المشايه بتصيب. وما بدنا ننسى معلقة الخشب هيدي كانت رفيقة امي الأنتيم، ( المقربة) يا ويلي شو كانت تزعل لم تتكسّر. ولا شد الشعر ولا القرصة شو بدي اتذكر لا أتذكر.

لا لا بس عنجد بحبك كتير والله يخليلي ياكي.

English Translation:

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in the world, particularly my mom whom I love and “I die in her”.

I want to tell you thank’s a lot for every slap that went and every slap that came. Unbelievable how accurate! No matter how you throw the slipper it hits! And we don’t want to forget the wooden spoon, it was my mom’s best friend. Oh dear, how she got sad when it breaks. Or the hair pulling, or the pinch. What can I remember to remember?

No no but really I love you so much and may God keep you near me.

Notes: 

The following words are also helpful to study:

Below are my 3 favorite ways to greet Moms on mother’s day! Grab your phone and let’s text her!

Checkout or textbooks HERE

Join our group classes HERE

Schedule a private class with ME or one of our wonderful teachers!

Join our free Levantine Masterclass HERE

We offer kids classes & kids stories Too!

Listen to our Levantine Arabic, made easier podcast with scripts available!

 

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Want to Sign up for 30 day Arabic Challenge? Think Again!

by nynasma | Dec 6, 2023 | BLOG

While 30-day language challenges can be a fun and motivating way to kickstart your language learning journey, they may not be sufficient on their own to achieve fluency or deep proficiency in a language. Here are some reasons why:

1. Lack of Consistency:

Language learning requires consistent and sustained effort over time because a 30-day challenge may not provide enough time for the brain to form strong neural connections needed for language retention. Here are some tips to help you stay consistent with your language.

2. Limited Exposure:

Learning a language involves exposure to various aspects, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural nuances. Generally a short challenge may not cover all these aspects comprehensively.

3. Surface-Level Learning:

A 30-day challenge often focuses on basic phrases and vocabulary, providing a superficial understanding of the language. Besides achieving fluency requires a deeper understanding of grammar, syntax, and context.

4. No Time for Practice:

Language learning is not just about memorizing words; it’s also about using them in context through speaking, writing, and listening. A 30-day challenge may not allow sufficient time for practical application and practice.

5. Lack of Customization:

Different learners have different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. A one-size-fits-all 30-day challenge may not cater to individual needs, making it less effective for some learners. At Nasma we offer customized lesson plans for each student’s needs. Therefore, our Levantine Arabic private classes are great for that!

6. Unrealistic Expectations:

Learning a language is a gradual process, and expecting significant progress in just 30 days can set unrealistic expectations. Further this might lead to frustration and disappointment.

7. Long-Term Commitment:

Language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Long-term commitment and consistent practice are crucial for success. Furthermore, a short challenge may not instill the habits needed for sustained learning.

8. Limited Cultural Understanding:

Lastly, accordingly language and culture are often intertwined. Learning a language involves understanding cultural nuances, idioms, and social norms, which may be neglected in a brief challenge.

While a 30-day language challenge can serve as a helpful introduction or a way to jumpstart your learning, it should be seen as just one part of a broader language-learning strategy. To become proficient in a language, consider setting realistic goals, incorporating diverse learning methods, and maintaining a long-term commitment to regular practice. Check out this article by Jin Wu for more language tips!

7 Fun Ways to Teach Kids Arabic

by nynasma | May 19, 2023 | BLOG

How to teach kids Arabic in a fun way using music, story telling, games, art, crafts, interactive apps, and fun activities! Below are 7 interesting ways!

Teaching Arabic to kids in a fun way involves a variety of methods and tools, just like teaching any other language. Here are some methods that can help make the learning process enjoyable and engaging:

Games and Activities:

Games are a great way to help kids learn. You can use traditional board games and modify them to include Arabic vocabulary or phrases. Flashcards, memory games, word search puzzles, and picture matching activities can also be very helpful. We love this Lebanese bored game 7Zar Shou? Lebanese Charades is a card game that is your traditional charades with a Lebanese twist.
2 or more teams compete trying to act out & guess as many cards as possible. The team with the most points wins.
We are so excited to announce the new edition of 7zar Shou Lebanese Charades (135 cards):
more famous sayings, more categories & now with English Translation for non-Lebanese to join in on the fun!.

Storytelling:

Use Arabic children’s books or fairy tales to tell stories. This method can be both fun and educational, helping to build vocabulary, comprehension, and listening skills. Check out our children stories written in the Levantine dialect.

Songs and Music:

Songs are an effective way to teach a new language because they make learning enjoyable. Arabic nursery rhymes, songs, and even children’s music videos can be great resources. Our students enjoy watching and listening to Lila TV.

Crafts and Drawing:

Children love to draw and do crafts, and you can incorporate Arabic into these activities. For example, you can have them draw a picture and then label it with the corresponding Arabic words.

Interactive Apps:

There are several educational apps available that are designed to teach kids Arabic in a fun, interactive way. These can be particularly useful for learning vocabulary and basic phrases.

Dramas and Role Play:

Children learn effectively when they are actively engaged. Setting up dramas or role-play scenarios where they have to use Arabic can be an entertaining and practical way for them to learn.

Cultural Activities:

Introducing kids to Arabic culture can make learning the language more interesting and meaningful. This could include cooking Arabic food together, celebrating Arabic holidays, or exploring Arabic art and history.

Remember, children learn at their own pace, and what works best will depend on the child’s individual learning style, interests, and abilities. The goal is to make the learning experience enjoyable so that they will stay interested and motivated