---
watermark: ORIRO
disable-model-invocation: true
name: edu-arabic
provider: ORIRO.ai
copyright: Copyright (c) 2026 ORIRO.ai
description: >
  Arabic language learning and Arab world education systems.
---

# Arabic Language and Education

## Arabic language overview

Arabic is written right to left. 28 letters in Arabic alphabet.
**Modern Standard Arabic (MSA / Fusha):** Used in media, formal writing, education. No native speakers.
**Dialects:** Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf, Maghrebi — mutually intelligible with effort.
For work/business: Learn MSA. For daily communication: Learn local dialect.

## Alphabet

Letters change shape depending on position in word (initial, medial, final, isolated).
Short vowels written as diacritics — often omitted in modern text.
Learn to read with diacritics (fully voweled text) first.

## CEFR levels for Arabic

A1-B2: Basic to upper-intermediate. B2 = can communicate in most daily situations.
C1-C2: Professional/academic fluency. Native-like.

## ARABIC proficiency tests

**DALA:** ALECSO Arabic proficiency test (Arab League).
**ALTE Arabic:** Association of Language Testers in Europe Arabic test.

## Arab world education systems

### Egypt

Thanaweya Amma: High school exit exam. University admissions.
Competitive: Medicine requires ~98%+ nationally.
Cairo University, AUC (American University Cairo).

### Saudi Arabia

Tawjihi/Shahadat: High school certificate.
King Abdulaziz University, KFUPM for engineering.

### UAE

Mixed system: ADNOC Schools (Arabic), international curriculum schools.
UAE University, Khalifa University.

## Free resources

Madinah Arabic (madinaharabic.com — free, classical Arabic).
Arabic for Nerds (free blog and resources).
Forvo Arabic pronunciation (free).

Sources: Madinah Arabic (free), Arab League ALECSO (free)