Is it Necessary for Expats to Learn Basic Arabic to live in Qatar?

Qatar and its capital Doha are fast emerging as the most popular locations for the expats in the Middle East. People across the globe are coming to Doha to find a job and settle in there. They work in the oil industry or in the IT there.Probably you are preparing to go to one of the most popular and promising cities of the Middle East. Or your loved one is staying there and you want to find out what will help him/her to settle and mingle in the unknown country.You may have a conception that it is easy to mingle if you at least know English. But you are settling in a country where you need to go to grocery shopping or working in a company where your boss and most of the colleagues are native. So yes, you need to learn the basics of their language, even if not be an expert in it.Suppose you go to some grocery store. But you cannot figure out what you should ask for, as you have come to realize that the shopkeeper does not understand anything apart from Arabic. Angry? Frustrated? But is it really their fault? When you are residing in their country, you need to communicate with them. And your limitation will break the bridge of communication.Living in a locality where mostly people speak Arabic or mingle with the colleagues who hardly know English can become tough. They will understand English, alright. But they will not be able to interact with you freely. But what if you talk in their own language? They will feel that you are respecting their language as well as their culture. And, as a result, you will earn their respect too.But no matter how much it sounds awesome, the problem is often we don't really learn the language. What is it that stops us from learning the language of the country where we are residing?

Reasons

• Excuses play the vital part in our lack of enthusiasm in learning a foreign language. We feel that we won't be able to remember and will embarrass ourselves in front of others. Sometimes we feel like we don't have time to learn. Or worse, we procrastinate. We keep on postponing and ultimately never try to learn it by heart.
• We have an idea that only the knowledge in English will do. In most of the cases, it is nothing but a misconception. In every country, people will not necessarily know English. And in the case of Qatar, though the country is developing radically from an Arabian port of pearl to a fast developing one, yet lion’s share of the native people still needs to go a long way to be comfortable enough to communicate in English.

Such issues prevent you from learning the language. But let's face it, you definitely need to talk to people, even if you are living there for a short while. By learning the language, you will not only get a chance to interact, but will also be able to get acquainted with their culture too. After living in a country even for a short while, you will be able to learn and appreciate their lifestyle too.

But now the question is where to start.

There is no specific way to learn a language. A method that works for others may not work for you. Or while trying, you may come across a new method for yourself. But here are some common methods that people find helpful.

• Learning becomes easier when you practice it. You can practice it by talking to the local people, your colleagues, or your neighbors. In Qatar, people love to interact with the expats who themselves are willing to break the barrier. So, initiate the conversation with common greetings and then learn from them.
• You don't need to read all the literary pieces written in Arabic, but you can try to read the signs and the newspaper headings. They will help you a lot.
• In today's world, technology is creating a verbal revolution. Be a part of it. Wondering whether you are pronouncing the word right? Log in to YouTube. You will find numerous videos that will help you learn a perfect pronunciation.
• Some people find it easier to learn a language by listening to music of that language.

Figure out your own method, something that will work for you.People who get a chance to go to a new country and stay there for a while are often lucky, as they get a chance to know their culture and their lifestyle that the tourists never get. So, when you are getting a chance to go to an exotic country like Qatar and staying there for a while, make the most of it. May be, knowing English will help you to survive. But if you know their language, then your experience in this new country will be something to cherish.

Share this post:

MyPrivateTutor Qatar

MyPrivateTutor is an online marketplace for all kinds of tutoring and learning services. We provide a platform to help learners find home tutors, online tutors, expert trainers,tutorial centers, training institutes and online tutoring schools. Learners can also find local classes, workshops, online courses and tutorials on a huge variety of topics. We operate in 12 countries worldwide and our community of learners, teachers and training businesses numbers over 200,000. We provide an opportunity for individual tutors and tutoring businesses to promote and grow their business.