by Olly RichardsLooking for a fun way to start learning Arabic in your free time?
Well guess what? You’re just in luck! Listening to Arabic podcasts is one of the best ways to learn Arabic.
If you’re trying to work on your listening and speaking skills in Arabic or one of its dialects, then congratulations! You’ve come to the right place.
I’ve compiled a list of 20 exciting podcasts here that will help you start speaking Arabic like a pro!
Pro Tip
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Learning Arabic With Podcasts
I’ve been listening to Arabic podcasts for some time now – while driving, on the train, while cleaning up around the house, and occasionally even when I’m taking a shower!
They've kept me feeling like my brain is active and learning new things, even when I’m in the middle of a boring or routine task.
Also, since I’ve been listening to a variety of podcasts in Arabic from different Arabic-speaking countries, the podcasts have been great for learning the different nuances in each of the different Arabic dialects, including the vocabulary as well as the pronunciation.
It goes without saying that listening to Arabic podcasts has been great for improving my listening comprehension.
There’s a lot more that I’ve been able to pick up in conversations with Arabic speakers thanks to the podcasts I’ve been listening to in my free time.
So in short, learning Arabic with podcasts is great because they:
- Keep the brain active
- Aid in pronunciation and vocabulary
- Help with listening comprehension
But most importantly, they’re fun!
So with that said, here’s a list of 20 Arabic podcasts grouped together based on difficulty.
Arabic Podcasts For All Levels
1. ArabicPod101
If you’re looking for a standard run-of-the-mill Arabic language learning podcast, then you can try out ArabicPod101!
It advertises itself as the best resource for learning Arabic.
Since the podcast is mostly focused on teaching Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), it’s great for building a foundation for learning one of the other spoken dialects down the line.
Episodes are generally about 10 minutes, and ArabicPod101 runs its own Arabic language learning platform through ArabicPod101.com. There’s also an ArabicPod101 YouTube channel where you can access lots of language learning content.
Check out ArabicPod101!
2. Talk In Arabic
Talk In Arabic is another well-known Arabic language learning platform that works based on membership. And while it’s not a podcast in the exact sense, they have listening lessons that almost feel like you’re listening to a podcast.
If you start digging around the internet for Arabic learning material, you might have noticed that there’s a lot of lessons and resources for if you’re learning one of the more commonly-taught dialects, like MSA or Egyptian.
That’s not the case with Talk in Arabic. With Talk In Arabic, you can access language learning materials for multiple Arabic dialects, including MSA, Egyptian, Iraqi, Moroccan, Tunisian, Algerian, Saudi, Levantine, and Sudanese.
That’s what makes Talk In Arabic a great potential podcast for you to listen to, especially if you’re trying to learn one of the less commonly-taught dialects.
Check out Talk In Arabic!
3. Arabic In 60 Steps
With this special podcast, you can learn Arabic in 60 steps or modules. At least, that’s what its host Sam claims.
Sam, the podcast producer, breaks down different Arabic short stories and religious texts in this podcast.
The podcast is useful especially if you’re trying to get the fundamentals of Arabic grammar across all levels so that you can read and write, as well as understand the Qur’an.
There’s also a separate Arabic In 60 Steps language course that you can sign up for on their website if you like the teaching style.
Check out Arabic In 60 Steps!
4. ArabicPod
ArabicPod (not to be mistaken with ArabicPod101, mind you) is the perfect podcast if you’re trying to digest a lot of new useful standard Arabic phrases in a short period of time.
The podcast presents short dialogues that you can rely on for everyday situations. All of the episodes are fairly short, making it perfect for getting bite-sized lessons on a short walk outside or during a quick coffee break at work.
The lessons are so practical that you’ll be able to learn simple phrases for adding friends on Facebook, getting out of parties when you’re feeling tired, or how to get a good deal on a taxi ride.
Check out ArabicPod!
5. The Arabic We Speak
Looking for very short snippets of conversation to listen to in the middle of the day?
Dalal and Amani, the hosts of The Arabic We Speak, have got you covered.
The pair recorded simple conversations in Levantine Arabic for all levels for practicing listening comprehension in short spurts.
The best part is that they’ve recorded lots of unique conversations about culture and daily life in Jordan.
The best way to tune into The Arabic We Speak is to subscribe to the podcast on Google Podcasts. That’s because they provide worksheets that go with the recorded conversations in the description section of each episode.
Check out The Arabic We Speak!
Beginner Arabic Podcasts
6. Simple & Easy Arabic Podcast
Here’s a simple and easy podcast you can listen to: Simple & Easy Arabic!
The podcast is aimed at people trying to learn the Levantine dialect.
The best part about the Simple & Easy Arabic podcast is that it teaches using short stories that are told simply and slowly so that you can catch new vocabulary and learn how to use them in context.
You can easily access the podcast through Spotify, so try turning it on the next time you drive to work.
Check out Simple & Easy Arabic: The Podcast!
7. Salis – Learn Egyptian Arabic
Salis – Learn Egyptian Arabic is pretty self-explanatory – it’s a go-to podcast if you’re trying to get a hang of the basics of the Egyptian dialect!
Sondos, the host of the podcast, posts regular episodes to teach simple phrases in Egyptian Arabic that will help you get around town without any issues.
All of the episodes are short, making it easy to listen to if you’re trying to make the most of a short walk.
Plus, it’s free and easy to stream through Spotify!
Check out Salis – Learn Egyptian Arabic!
Intermediate Arabic Podcasts
8. Bilmasri
If you’ve advanced to being an intermediate Arabic learner, then you’ll probably already have guessed what “Bilmasri” means.
Bilmasri, or “in Egyptian”, is a podcast all about learning the Egyptian dialect.
It takes some standard text in MSA and adapts it to Egyptian Arabic so that you’re able to quickly convert the MSA you already know into spoken Egyptian Arabic.
If you already have a foundation in MSA through lessons and classes you’ve attended, but haven’t had a chance to learn an Arabic dialect, then Bilmasri can be the perfect podcast for you to start speaking fluently.
Check out Bilmasri!
9. Real Arabic
Real Arabic is where learning Arabic gets real. Get it?
But really, Real Arabic is an awesome podcast to follow especially if you’re trying to learn how to speak fluently in the Levantine dialect.
Most language podcasts are focused on breaking down grammar, or telling existing short stories for you to follow along.
But with Real Arabic, you get a chance to listen to the stories of real-life people telling stories from their own lives.
Plus, you get a blog with the transcript of the podcast and its English translation to help you advance your comprehension.
Because the podcast is centred around real-life stories, you also get a chance to learn a lot about the culture of the Levantine region, like in Syria and Lebanon.
Check out Real Arabic!
10. Learn Levantine Arabic With Livi
Here’s another useful podcast if you’re trying to learn the Levantine Arabic.
Livi, the host, interviews her friends and acquaintances in Arabic to learn more about their lives, passions, and worldviews.
The most interesting part is that Livi herself is not a native Arabic speaker.
So the podcast can be great motivation for you to learn the Levantine dialect yourself!
While it’s been some time since the podcast has been updated, there are signs that the podcast might come back in full force for a second season, so be sure to tune in.
Check out Learn Levantine Arabic With Livi!
11. Levantine Arabic: Bayni w Baynak
Like Levantine Arabic With Livi, Bayni w Baynak involves a non-native speaking host and a native Arabic speaker from the Levantine region.
But this time, the podcast is set in Jordan.
The host speaks in half-hour episodes with Razan, a Jordanian national, about a whole range of topics, including (but not limited to) the challenges of learning Arabic, stereotypes, and social media.
Every episode on Spotify comes with a cheat sheet that contains a vocabulary list for the episode, and short explanations about how to use the words from the podcast in daily life.
Check out Levantine Arabic: Bayni w Baynak!
12. El Bulbul
El Bulbul is a 30-part podcast series in Levantine Arabic, in particular in Jordanian Arabic.
Ashraf and Enas are the hosts, and they delve into topics like marriage, discrimination, technology, and more.
The podcast is specifically designed for practicing listening in Jordanian Arabic so that you can speak fluently.
In fact, they say that the podcast will help you speak like a bulbul / بلبل, which means “nightingale” in Arabic.
Because it’s designed for language learning, you can also access a transcription and English translation of each episode, albeit in exchange for a small fee.
Check out El Bulbul!
Advanced Arabic Podcasts
13. Fanajeen / فناجين
Ever wanted to listen to a book in 20 minutes, especially non-fiction books? Fanajeen has got you covered.
Fanajeen means “coffee cups” and is the perfect podcast to listen to over a cup of coffee.
It sells itself as the perfect podcast to listen to while walking through a crowd, sitting in a waiting room, or during your next walk so that you can discover new ideas and acquire new skills.
Because Fanajeen is completely in MSA, you’ll without a doubt acquire the skill of understanding MSA Arabic.
There’s plenty of choices in books that you can choose from, whether that be on leadership and management, religion, health, philosophy, science, or more.
Check out Fanajeen!
14. Podcast Abjora / أبجورة
This special podcast is hosted by Lubna Al Khamis, and has received tons of awards over the years for the personal and relatable experiences that she shares regarding life and culture.
The podcast has become essential listening among Arabic speakers all over with its themes about self-empowerment, especially for women in the region.
Lubna uses simple language to explain her everyday life experiences, so it’s great for practicing your listening skills even if you don’t have a transcript or vocabulary list on hand.
Check out Podcast Abjora!
15. Juha / جحا
If you’re a fan of short stories and learning languages through stories (and I imagine you are if you're here!) then Juha might be the perfect advanced podcast for you.
Juha is produced by Sowt (صوت), a leading media and podcast producer in the region.
Each episode tells a short story in MSA in 20 minutes, making it perfect for the daily commute.
And unlike other podcasts that do short stories, the production for Juha includes lots of voice actors and music that make the stories a lot more engaging.
Check out Juha!
16. Dom Tak / دم تك
Ever listened to Arabic music before?
If so, chances are that you’ll probably be familiar with the phrase “dom tak”, the sound that comes from hitting the Darboukeh, an Arabic drum.
Dom Tak the podcast is also produced by Sowt (صوت), and it’s all about music from the Arabic-speaking world.
Sure, you’ve probably heard of classic Arabic singers like Fairuz, Umm Kulsum, and Abdel Halim Hafez. But Dom Tak helps you stay up to date with the most recent music trends in the region.
With Dom Tak, you can listen to episodes detailing the life stories of up and coming artists like Omar Souleyman or recommendations of artists to listen to by country in the region.
Check out Dom Tak!
17. Rumooz / رموز
Rumooz means “symbols”, and is a podcast run by the Aljazeera network that explores the life stories of famous icons in our lives.
All of the episodes of Rumooz are in MSA, making it great for practicing your listening comprehension for reading and writing fluency.
Even though the content in Rumooz isn’t always easy, I found that it was easy to follow along especially when I was listening to the life stories of famous people that I’m already familiar with, meaning that I was able to listen along to and learn new words in context.
Check out Rumooz!
18. Ba’ad Ams / بعد أمس
Here’s another podcast hosted by the Aljazeera network.
Ba’ad Ams is a podcast that publishes episodes on a daily basis about current events and trends, making it perfect for acquiring more sophisticated vocabulary.
Each episode involves a conversation between the host with different experts in their respective fields, whether that be political analysts, academics, or philosophers.
Since all of the episodes are available on Spotify, you can sift through to pick the current events that you’re more familiar with to get the most out of listening practice.
Check out Ba’ad Ams!
19. CutheCrap With Lamaan
Many of the advanced podcasts I’ve shared in this list are in MSA.
But if you’re trying to listen to real-life Arabic podcasts in a specific dialect, then you can try listening to CutheCrap With Lamaan.
Lamaan, the host, is from Egypt, and her podcast involves having real conversations with real-life people.
In every episode, Lamaan invites different individuals from academia, the health sector, and more to share their advice about life and health.
One thing to note about listening to CutheCrap With Lamaan is that the host and guests all fluidly switch back and forth between English and Egyptian Arabic.
While that might sound weird at first, I found that the code-switching meant that I was better able to keep up with the conversation and retain new vocabulary.
Check out CutheCrap With Lamaan!
20. Khalini Khabarak / خليني خبرك
It’s only right that I also share a link to an advanced podcast that helps for learning Levantine Arabic.
Khalini Khabarak means “let me inform you”.
The podcast explores the different origins of words that you might hear in Syrian Arabic.
And let me tell you, there are a lot of interesting phrases and words, to say the least.
You can tune in to listen to the 45-part podcast series. And while it might be a bit more challenging for listening, you can think of them like short and intense sprints for listening comprehension practice.
Check out Khalini Khabarak!
Learn Arabic Through Podcasts: Get Started Today!
Well, that’s a wrap! That’s my list of 20 Arabic podcasts that you can listen to so that you can start mastering Arabic today.
I’ve tried to include a wide variety of podcasts so that there’s something for everyone. But if you’re still looking to find the perfect Arabic podcast for you, you can always start from here and see what the streaming platforms recommend next.
Also, the podcasting world in the Middle East is rapidly growing, so it’s always worth checking periodically to see if new podcasts in Arabic pique your interest.
Still looking for more ways to practice Arabic in your own time? Try signing up for my beginner course, Arabic Uncovered. The course will use the StoryLearning® approach to make learning Arabic fun, easy, and effective!
