Learn Modern Standard Arabic A1 from zero, in English
You don't need to read a single Arabic letter yet. From the alphabet and how letters connect, to greetings, introducing yourself, and your first full sentences — explained in a language you actually understand.
Try the first unit freeHow long does this level take? 4-6 weeks
What does A1 actually mean?
A1 is Lerniyo's own starting level for Modern Standard Arabic, referenced against the CEFR framework other languages use. It means you can read and write the Arabic alphabet, understand simple everyday expressions, and introduce yourself in short sentences.
What you'll be able to do after A1
- Read and write all 28 Arabic letters, in their different shapes
- Introduce yourself: your name, where you're from, your age
- Greet people and answer simple questions
- Count and read numbers 1-10
- Recognize and read short, fully-voweled sentences
What you'll do every day
Vocabulary
Everyday words: greetings, family, numbers, simple objects
Grammar
The alphabet, how letters connect, and simple sentence patterns
Listening
Short, clearly-spoken phrases at a beginner-friendly pace
Speaking
Record your voice from lesson one and get instant feedback
Sample sentences you'll learn in A1
اسمي أمينة، وأنا من المغرب.
How you introduce yourself: your name + your country.
مِن أين أنتَ؟
مِن أين = from where — how you ask where someone is from.
هذا كتاب، وهذه سيارة.
هذا (masculine) and هذه (feminine) — Arabic's two words for 'this'.
أنا بخير، شكراً.
A simple, polite reply to 'how are you'.
A first introduction
السلام عليكم! ما اسمك؟
Peace be upon you! What's your name?
اسمي يوسف. وأنتِ؟
My name is Youssef. And you?
اسمي فاطمة. من أين أنتَ؟
My name is Fatima. Where are you from?
أنا من الدار البيضاء.
I'm from Casablanca.
The A1 progress check
At the end of the level, a short progress check built around what you actually learned — the alphabet, simple vocabulary, short sentences. Not an official exam, just Lerniyo's own way of confirming you're ready for A2.
Unlike German, French, Spanish, or Italian, there's no single official diploma body for Modern Standard Arabic equivalent to Goethe or DELF. CEFR levels here describe Lerniyo's own curriculum, referenced against the same framework other languages use. The closest real proficiency assessments are things like the ALPT or the Hamza Test — neither is CEFR-native or directly comparable. Lerniyo's own progress checks follow our curriculum; they're not a substitute for any institution's test.
What will you learn in Arabic A1?
- The Arabic alphabet and how letters connect
- Greetings and introductions
- Numbers 1-10
- Family words
- Simple nouns and 'this/that'
- Masculine and feminine, the basics
- Reading short, fully-voweled sentences
- Everyday questions: what, who, where
Learn Modern Standard Arabic A1 in English with Lerniyo
Most resources explain Arabic grammar with dense terminology or assume you already read the script. Lerniyo explains everything in plain English, step by step, so you focus on Arabic — not on decoding the explanation.
After A1 comes A2
See A2