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Friday, February 14th
Founded by Ed Cooke, Ben Whately, and Greg Detre, three friends who crossed paths while studying neuroscience and psychology at Oxford, Memrise was born out of their shared fascination with human learning and their determination to harness technology for more effective learning. Ed delved into memory techniques, eventually becoming a Grandmaster of Memory. Greg pursued a PhD in neuroscience at Princeton, while Ben experimented with his language acquisition theories in Qiqihar, a city on the Sino-Siberian border. Memrise is a platform that combines memory techniques, a profound understanding of neuroscience, and innovative approaches to second language acquisition, aiming to make the language learning process significantly easier and faster for your Arabic lessons online.
No preview lessons before signing up
To get started at Memrise, you just need to click the Start Learning button which takes you to a page where you select your starting language (which includes more than just English) and the language you want to learn (in our case, Arabic) from a list. From there, you're asked to make an account with your email or social media. While you can't preview full lessons on the Memrise site until you've put in your info and made an account, you can preview visuals from the lessons. For example, you can find audio/visual multiple-choice questions in still photos across the site. You can also preview the entire Arabic Phrasebook (all 252 pages of it) on the website before you start. However, to look into the actual lessons themselves, you'll have to do outside research or sign up with your personal details and try out the program for free.
100+ lessons with audio and video methods
With over 100 lessons covering topics such as Travel, Work, Abjad, Activities, and Basics, the Arabic course offers phrases commonly used by locals to help you prepare for real conversations. You'll learn 4,000+ words, and native speakers will pronounce them to help you achieve natural pronunciation. The Arabic Phrasebook provides additional support so you can review common phrases at any time. You can expect lessons to include videos, AI conversations, and step-by-step lessons crafted by linguists and backed by years of scientific research. Topics cover a wide range, from introductions and greetings to understanding song lyrics, discussing actors and celebrities, sharing favorite books, narrating film plots, exploring dos and don'ts, talking about meals, learning recipes, expressing feelings, and engaging in news discussions, with hundreds more included.
Monthly, yearly, or lifetime access
Memrise offers a 100% free learning model, where you can get most of the features right away. However, there is also a Premium option if you want an elevated experience. Ideal for swift progress, this subscription unlocks features including extra vocabulary lessons, native speaker videos, and conversation practice. You'll also be able to enjoy an ad-free experience (while the free version will have regular ads). You can choose between three prices: $27.99 per month, $130.99 per year, or an $80 lifetime membership (depending on what promotions are in place at the time you subscribe).
Missing grammar and practical application
In terms of how you'll progress on this platform, Memrise allows you to choose your level upon registration, and Memrise promises that all videos align with the words you've learned, creating a cohesive learning experience. Memrise encourages you to challenge yourself. However, according to language experts in third-party reviews, Memrise primarily functions as an app for memorization and vocabulary drilling. It's not ideal if you're looking for a program that provides extensive grammar explanations or opportunities to apply language in practical contexts. There is no mention that Memrise will offer you fluency, but according to linguists, you might need to bundle Memrise with another language program to get a deep understanding of Arabic grammar and syntax.
Somewhat unclear refund policy
To qualify for a refund, you need to reach out to the company within 30 days of activating your subscription plan. We noted that Memrise didn't specifically promise a refund, but promised that they'd contact you about one if you reached out within that 30-day window. If you're past the initial 30 days, the service is billed in advance and becomes non-refundable no matter what.
Mixed reviews depending on where you look
Third-party reviews for Memrise aren't particularly exciting, that's for sure. According to customers on Trustpilot, Memrise has just 2.3 stars out of 5. Customers note that while the site was better in previous years it has recently started to decline. The ads on the free version are particularly frustrating. However, on the mobile app reviews, Memrise does much better. On the Apple Store, Memrise has a 4.8-star average while on the Google Play Store, Memrise holds a 4.5. Customers who loved the program praised the quality of the language videos. They felt that the immersion in the language and native speaking was top-notch. Based on the features, the high-rated reviews may be for the Premium version rather than the free one.
Mid-tier but with lifetime access
While the lifetime access option is a huge bonus, the mixed reviews raise a few red flags. The mobile app stores show that Memrise is pretty popular, but with some extremely low ratings from third-party sites (and no rating from the Better Business Bureau to rely on), Memrise falls behind some of the other sites that have much more impressive feedback. For this reason and the fact that there's some question on whether Memrise can deliver advanced content and fluency, Memrise gets a mid-tier rating rather than something higher. But if you want something you can buy and own forever, you should still look into Memrise's lifetime membership for Arabic lessons.
Are you interested in learning Arabic? You may find yourself contemplating a relocation to one of the many countries where Arabic is the national language, or maybe you're just planning a trip to see Egypt. Whether you're looking to reconnect with your culture, learn more about a new one, or brush up on some courses you took in school, learning Arabic can be a truly worthwhile experience.
However, finding Arabic lessons that fit your busy life, include your preferred learning methods, and don't break the bank can be hard. For most people, in-person lessons aren't an option either for cost reasons or time commitments. Fortunately, the realm of online courses continues to grow, offering new Arabic learning opportunities that were previously unavailable.
Whether you prefer hearing, writing, or speaking, various Arabic programs are designed to offer a range of skill-building exercises. Modern audio materials cover syllables, words, phrases, and sentences for effective repetition.
Alternatively, for visual learners, there are Arabic language platforms that cleverly gamify the entire learning process. These platforms not only cover grammar and writing exercises but also often integrate speech recognition software, allowing you to compare your pronunciation directly with that of a native speaker.
Nearly every Arabic platform offers cultural and historical aspects in their programs. Given the rich historical background and symbolic importance of the Arabic language, a thorough grasp of it requires exploring its historical origins and understanding its contemporary applications. Many of today's language-learning options also emphasize Modern Standard Arabic, mirroring the language you would encounter in general conversations. And, some companies focus on local dialects too.
As you navigate the wide array of online Arabic lessons, it might seem a little daunting to pick the best fit. To help you find the best Arabic lessons for you, we've put together some helpful criteria:
To make sure you have the best possible experience learning Arabic, Top Consumer Reviews has assessed and rated the top options for Arabic lessons. We hope our reviews help you achieve your desired level of fluency, whether your goal is travel, cultural understanding, or simply enjoyment of a new language. Enjoy your continuing education in the beautiful language of Arabic!
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