Learning Arabic - how hard?
Discussion
I am currently training for a new career one which could see me have contact with Arabic speakers here in the UK.
Having a bit of conversational Arabic could be an advantage.
So how hard is it?
The thing is, I have no idea if it's going to be for me or not, and what I'd like is a good cheap taster course so I can see if it is for me. I don't want to commit £500 or whatever on something that may be way beyond my capabilities which are very basic schoolboy French and a tiny bit of Spanish I picked up as a little kid.
From what I gather, writing is not that important and there are so many dialects that few people speak "Queen's Arabic" for want of a better term, well.
I am training to become a counsellor and I have a feeling a lot of the people I will come into contact with will be from Arabic speaking nations. Much as I'd love to be able to conduct a therapy session in Arabic, I was thinking more realistically that a decent conversational grasp of the language, even just to introduce myself might help put someone at ease a bit more.
Having a bit of conversational Arabic could be an advantage.
So how hard is it?
The thing is, I have no idea if it's going to be for me or not, and what I'd like is a good cheap taster course so I can see if it is for me. I don't want to commit £500 or whatever on something that may be way beyond my capabilities which are very basic schoolboy French and a tiny bit of Spanish I picked up as a little kid.
From what I gather, writing is not that important and there are so many dialects that few people speak "Queen's Arabic" for want of a better term, well.
I am training to become a counsellor and I have a feeling a lot of the people I will come into contact with will be from Arabic speaking nations. Much as I'd love to be able to conduct a therapy session in Arabic, I was thinking more realistically that a decent conversational grasp of the language, even just to introduce myself might help put someone at ease a bit more.
wildcat45 said:
I am training to become a counsellor and I have a feeling a lot of the people I will come into contact with will be from Arabic speaking nations. Much as I'd love to be able to conduct a therapy session in Arabic, I was thinking more realistically that a decent conversational grasp of the language, even just to introduce myself might help put someone at ease a bit more.
Crazy notion but - is it even something they'd do? For many minority groups established in the UK, things like talking about cancer is still taboo, so the idea of someone who communicates better in Arabic than English seeking out therapy/counselling and thinking it's a great idea may not be a winner in terms of business.Hoofy said:
Crazy notion but - is it even something they'd do? For many minority groups established in the UK, things like talking about cancer is still taboo, so the idea of someone who communicates better in Arabic than English seeking out therapy/counselling and thinking it's a great idea may not be a winner in terms of business.
My interest comes from a conversation with my tutor. Reading the lay of the land he reckons a lot of talking therapies in the future will centre om post traumatic stress and people from the Middle East (Refugees) who are suffering.That's really where I'm coming from. Putting myself in someone else's shoes. If I was troubled and living in a foreign country meeting someone who could at least say "Hi my name is....." And then perhaps a basic introduction it my language may make a difference. Or f I was lost for a word and someone had a basic understanding if my language.
I'll check those links out. Thanks.
wildcat45 said:
Hoofy said:
Crazy notion but - is it even something they'd do? For many minority groups established in the UK, things like talking about cancer is still taboo, so the idea of someone who communicates better in Arabic than English seeking out therapy/counselling and thinking it's a great idea may not be a winner in terms of business.
My interest comes from a conversation with my tutor. Reading the lay of the land he reckons a lot of talking therapies in the future will centre om post traumatic stress and people from the Middle East (Refugees) who are suffering.That's really where I'm coming from. Putting myself in someone else's shoes. If I was troubled and living in a foreign country meeting someone who could at least say "Hi my name is....." And then perhaps a basic introduction it my language may make a difference. Or f I was lost for a word and someone had a basic understanding if my language.
Yes I know where you are coming from. This week we were talking about the berries certain groups have to counselling. We were also talking about less formal counselling, drop-in type stuff or embedded counselling.
I really don't know if Arabic would help. Maybe not, but it at the very least would be an interesting language to learn.
I really don't know if Arabic would help. Maybe not, but it at the very least would be an interesting language to learn.
Orchid1 said:
Apparently it's easier for Scottish people to learn it as they can pick up the pronunciations alot faster. No idea if it's true though.
And vice versa. Goerge MacDonald Fraser commented that the best imitator of a Scottish accent was the Arab.I would imagine the Welsh would have a headstart, too - all those gutturals, see?
wildcat45 said:
I am currently training for a new career one which could see me have contact with Arabic speakers here in the UK.
Having a bit of conversational Arabic could be an advantage.
So how hard is it?
The thing is, I have no idea if it's going to be for me or not, and what I'd like is a good cheap taster course so I can see if it is for me. I don't want to commit £500 or whatever on something that may be way beyond my capabilities which are very basic schoolboy French and a tiny bit of Spanish I picked up as a little kid.
From what I gather, writing is not that important and there are so many dialects that few people speak "Queen's Arabic" for want of a better term, well.
I am training to become a counsellor and I have a feeling a lot of the people I will come into contact with will be from Arabic speaking nations. Much as I'd love to be able to conduct a therapy session in Arabic, I was thinking more realistically that a decent conversational grasp of the language, even just to introduce myself might help put someone at ease a bit more.
I think in all walks of life, demonstrating that you are putting some effort in when meeting someone, in any language, is appreciated. Having a bit of conversational Arabic could be an advantage.
So how hard is it?
The thing is, I have no idea if it's going to be for me or not, and what I'd like is a good cheap taster course so I can see if it is for me. I don't want to commit £500 or whatever on something that may be way beyond my capabilities which are very basic schoolboy French and a tiny bit of Spanish I picked up as a little kid.
From what I gather, writing is not that important and there are so many dialects that few people speak "Queen's Arabic" for want of a better term, well.
I am training to become a counsellor and I have a feeling a lot of the people I will come into contact with will be from Arabic speaking nations. Much as I'd love to be able to conduct a therapy session in Arabic, I was thinking more realistically that a decent conversational grasp of the language, even just to introduce myself might help put someone at ease a bit more.
However poor you might sound initially, your patients would welcome it. It's a good idea.
clockworks said:
Are there any minorities on your course?
I'm in my third year of training, doing a diploma in therapeutic counselling. The only "minority group" on my courses so far have been men, but that may be because Cornwall is not very racially diverse.
Same here. We did have an Iranian woman but she dropped out. Maybe my part of the North East isn't very diverse either.I'm in my third year of training, doing a diploma in therapeutic counselling. The only "minority group" on my courses so far have been men, but that may be because Cornwall is not very racially diverse.
clockworks said:
Are there any minorities on your course?
I'm in my third year of training, doing a diploma in therapeutic counselling. The only "minority group" on my courses so far have been men, but that may be because Cornwall is not very racially diverse.
My experience working with cancer patients is in West London where there are lots of "minorities". The cancer centre I was based with had two outreach workers to do things such as inform such groups about cancer support and even letting them know that it's ok to talk about cancer.I'm in my third year of training, doing a diploma in therapeutic counselling. The only "minority group" on my courses so far have been men, but that may be because Cornwall is not very racially diverse.
Having thought about this, I feel that learning a new language to speak to a new group of potential clients could well be a very good first step towards greater inclusion.
Most of the people that I have met so far on courses had had some experience of counselling as a client, for mental health issues. After it had worked for them, they decided to learn more, and possibly become counsellors themselves.
If there is a shortage of counsellors from minority groups, is that because these minorities are less likely to seek counselling, and therefore not go on to become counsellors themselves? And are they less likely to seek counselling because they feel that they will not be "understood" by the existing counsellors?
Pure speculation on my part - like I said, I live in a very "white" County.
It was a bit odd discussing diversity issues in an exclusively white, mostly female, group, where I was the only minority. Quite a few of the women couldn't get their heads around that one when I pointed it out.
Most of the people that I have met so far on courses had had some experience of counselling as a client, for mental health issues. After it had worked for them, they decided to learn more, and possibly become counsellors themselves.
If there is a shortage of counsellors from minority groups, is that because these minorities are less likely to seek counselling, and therefore not go on to become counsellors themselves? And are they less likely to seek counselling because they feel that they will not be "understood" by the existing counsellors?
Pure speculation on my part - like I said, I live in a very "white" County.
It was a bit odd discussing diversity issues in an exclusively white, mostly female, group, where I was the only minority. Quite a few of the women couldn't get their heads around that one when I pointed it out.
15 students started my current course. 12 women, 3 men.
Same mix on the previous two courses. Last year, I was the only male to stick with it and pass.
The dropout rate on these courses is crazy. Over 50% on levels 2 and 3, 40% so far on level 4, and we are only half way through the first year.
We have a married couple as tutors on this course. A very interesting dynamic.
Same mix on the previous two courses. Last year, I was the only male to stick with it and pass.
The dropout rate on these courses is crazy. Over 50% on levels 2 and 3, 40% so far on level 4, and we are only half way through the first year.
We have a married couple as tutors on this course. A very interesting dynamic.
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