"I have been doing Arabic Uncovered beginner for 4 days now, and I am at Chapter 1. The audio and the text are a big junk at first, but day by day they get clearer. At the 4th day I am getting quite comfortable about Chapter 1, it works."
What Your First Lesson Actually Looks Like
Not features. Not bullet points. This is what happens when you sit down and press play.
1
Arabic reads right to left, and that's about as hard as it gets
Before the story begins, you get an Arabic script crash course. And here's the secret: the alphabet is surprisingly logical. Letters like ب (ba), ت (ta), and ث (tha) share the same base shape, only the dots change. Once you see that pattern, you've already learned three letters.
Letters change shape depending on their position in a word (beginning, middle, end), but the changes follow clear rules. Most students are reading Arabic script within a few days.
And once you can read the letters, you'll start recognising words from the story, مقهى (café), صغير (small), سارة (Sara).
2
0:000:00
You press play and the story begins...
"دخلت سارة المقهى الصغير..."
A native Arabic speaker begins reading the opening of الرحلة (The Journey) in Modern Standard Arabic. You follow along in Arabic script, and because you've just learned the alphabet, you can actually sound out the words on the page.
You won't understand the meaning, not yet. But you can read it. You can hear the rhythm and melody of real Arabic. And something about the story makes you curious.
That's exactly where you're supposed to be. Over the coming lessons, Diane will uncover the meaning of everything you just heard.
3
Then Diane breaks down how the language actually works
You've already heard introductions in the story. Diane shows you the pattern: إسمي (ismī), my name. إسمُكَ (ismuka), your name. إسمُهُ (ismuhu), his name. Same root word, different suffix.
One pattern, and you can express possession for anything, not just names. Arabic grammar is logical and pattern-based, and you're discovering it from words you've already met in the story.
No grammar tables. No abstract rules. Just real sentences from the story you just read, pulled apart so you can see how they fit together. You learn grammar naturally, using words you've already met in the story, not by memorising rules.
4
Then you hear how Arabic is really spoken
Here's what makes Arabic Uncovered different from every other Arabic course. MSA is the foundation, but nobody speaks MSA on the street. So every chapter also includes the same story recorded in 4 spoken dialects: Egyptian, Levantine (Jordanian/Palestinian), Gulf (Saudi), and North African (Moroccan).
A dedicated Communication & Dialects video lesson breaks down how each dialect differs from MSA, the vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar shifts. You choose the dialect that fits your goals, and by the end of the course, you won't just read formal Arabic, you'll understand real conversations with real people, in their own everyday language.
5
You learn the world the language lives in
The Arabic-speaking world, its poetry and calligraphy traditions, its hospitality customs, the rich history spanning from ancient civilisations to vibrant modern cities, and the warmth of Arabic-speaking communities worldwide. Because you can't truly speak a language without understanding the people who speak it.
6
Then you go back to the story
You listen again. And this time, sentences that were opaque twenty minutes ago suddenly make sense.
You can hear where one word ends and another begins. You understand why the characters said what they said. You're not translating, you're understanding.
That's one chapter. Vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, dialects, culture, speaking practice, and a story that pulls you through all of it.
You've already started reading Arabic, understanding grammar, and hearing how the language really sounds, in MSA and in the dialect of your choice.
There are 20 chapters. Each one goes deeper. Each one builds on the last.
Everything I just described is in the free trial. Full access to the entire course: story, videos, exercises, everything, for 7 days.
Want to see inside the course?
Watch Olly give you a personal tour of Arabic Uncovered:
Experience This Yourself7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Can I be honest with you?
I've learned 8 languages. And I've failed at most of them, spectacularly, before figuring out what works.
So I know exactly what you're going through right now.
You downloaded the app. You did the daily streak. You memorised مرحبا (marḥaba), شكراً (shukran), نعم (naʿam). You even took a class or two.
And for a while, it felt like progress.
But then you tried to actually use your Arabic, with a real person, at real speed, and the whole thing fell apart.
- You know the words, but you can't string them into sentences fast enough
- You can read simple phrases, but native speakers sound like a blur
- You've spent months studying, but you still feel like a permanent beginner
I've been there. Staring at someone, nodding politely, pretending I understood. It's not fun.
But here's the thing I wish someone had told me years ago:
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. Textbooks teach you to
conjugate verbs on paper.
Neither of them teaches you to actually speak and understand
Arabic.
There's a reason you're still stuck. And it has nothing to do with talent, age, or how many hours you've studied.
It has everything to do with how you've been learning.
Let me show you what I discovered instead.
Why Stories Work (When Grammar Drills Don't)
Think about how traditional courses work. They teach you a language the way you learned algebra: rules first, practice second, application... maybe someday.
But that's not how you learned your native language. Nobody handed you a grammar table when you were two years old. You learned through immersion. Through context. Through stories that made you care about what happened next.
That's exactly what StoryLearning does. And here's why it works so well:
The StoryLearning Method
Your Brain Is Wired for Story
Stories aren't just entertainment, they're how humans have transmitted knowledge for 100,000 years. When you learn through narrative, your brain engages differently: deeper encoding, stronger memory formation, better recall.
Context Creates Memory
You don't remember random words. You remember the moment the detective discovered the note. The look on Maria's face when she heard the news. Words attached to story stick because they mean something.
Guided Discovery Beats Memorisation
Instead of giving you a rule and asking you to apply it, StoryLearning lets you encounter patterns naturally, then explains what you just discovered. You figure it out, so you own it. That's why you never forget it.
It's Not Just Our Opinion
The StoryLearning method is grounded in decades of language acquisition research.
Dr. Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus at USC and one of the most cited linguists in history, proved that language is acquired through comprehensible input, not grammar study.
When you understand messages in the target language, acquisition happens naturally. StoryLearning is built on this principle.
Dual Coding Theory shows that memory is strongest when you encode information both verbally and through imagery.
Stories create vivid mental pictures that make vocabulary stick, which is why you remember story words but forget flashcard words.
Contextual Learning Research consistently shows that words learned in meaningful context are retained 2-3x longer than words learned in isolation.
Every word in StoryLearning arrives with a scene, a character, and a reason to care.
"Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work, and you will too!"
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Meet Your Guides
I'm Olly Richards. I'm the creator of StoryLearning and author of the bestselling Short Stories series (over 2 million books sold). I'm fluent in 8 languages, and my YouTube channel has racked up more than 70 million views on language learning.
Collaborated with:
Featured in:
I designed Arabic Uncovered using the same StoryLearning method that's helped over 100,000 people learn languages. But for Arabic, I brought in someone special...
Your Arabic Teacher: Diane Sbihi
Diane is the person you'll spend 60+ video lessons with, and she's the kind of teacher who makes you forget you're studying. Certified by the Alliance Française with over 12 years of experience, Diane has taught Arabic and French to everyone from complete beginners to CEOs and professional athletes.
A passionate language learner herself, Diane brings warmth and encouragement to every lesson, you'll feel it from day one.
🌍Certified by the Alliance Française
🎓12+ years teaching Arabic & French
💼Students from beginners to CEOs & athletes
📚Multilingual, speaks multiple languages herself
Is Arabic Uncovered Right For You?
StoryLearning isn't for everyone, and that's by design. Here's how to know if it's right for you.
This IS For You If...
- You've tried Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone, but nothing stuck
- You want to understand real spoken Arabic, not just the formal MSA you find in textbooks
- You want to understand native speakers, not just pass quizzes
- You'd rather read an interesting story than memorise vocabulary lists
- You can commit to 20-30 minutes a day of focused practice
This is NOT For You If...
- You need travel phrases for a trip next week (this is comprehensive, not a phrasebook)
- You prefer structured grammar drills and memorisation exercises
- You want live classes with a teacher (this is self-paced)
- You're already at conversational level (check out our Intermediate courses instead)
- You're looking for a passive "learn while you sleep" solution
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
What Happens When Arabic Finally Clicks
"I really enjoyed the 10-day challenge in Arabic. It was challenging, but fun! A different approach to language learning. It worked for me. I learned a lot in those 10 days."
"I have tried a few other online learning services in my efforts to learn to the Arabic language. So far, StoryLearning has been the most effective. The instructor is great."
"Arabic Uncovered provides a multifaceted learning pathway for people wishing to learn Arabic. It uses short stories to get inside the language, covering both Modern Standard Arabic and 4 different regional dialects."
"Arabic Uncovered is a wonderful and unique way to learn both MSA and up to four Arabic dialects. I can't recommend it enough!"
"I am impressed. The skill, planning and tech work involved in bringing Story Learning to life is to me unimaginable. I was an ESL teacher, and get by in Mandarin and Arabic, so I know language teaching. I'm excited to study every day."
"I believe the StoryLearning course is equivalent to two semesters at a university. The quality of the material is at a university level. The lessons are a lot more fun than sitting in a lecture hall."
"I love the way we can learn things that are in the context of a story, and remember it because of the story. This is beyond my expectations."
"I've tried a lot of courses and methods over the years. This is the first course that really helped me to comprehend the language. The story pulls you in, and the grammar suddenly makes sense in context."
"Very impressed so far! Olly explains and breaks down the rules so well, with lots to learn right from the start. I have learnt more in 1 module than in months of free apps!"
"If you tell me a good story, I'll follow you anywhere. What better way to learn a language than through asking what happens next? This is a challenging, well-designed course that never bored me."
"The best language course I have ever purchased! I have tried everything to better my speaking skills but nothing sticks like StoryLearning. Simple to understand, fun, motivating, and encouraging!"
Your Journey Through Arabic Uncovered
At the heart of Arabic Uncovered is an original story called الرحلة (Al-Riḥla / The Journey).
Sara, a young architect, receives a mysterious letter that sends her on a journey from the bustling streets of Amman to the ancient ruins of Petra, through the souks of Marrakech, and finally to a quiet courtyard in Fez.Along the way, she pieces together the story of her great-grandmother, a poet whose words were lost for decades, and discovers that some journeys lead you not to new places, but back to yourself. The answers unfold across 20 chapters, and as the story pulls you forward, the Arabic comes with you. Every chapter includes audio in MSA plus 4 spoken dialects: Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf & Moroccan.
Watch Your Arabic Grow
Here's actual text from the course. See how much more you'll understand as the story unfolds:
Chapter 1
"دخلت سارة المقهى الصغير. نظرت حولها..."
Sara entered the small café. She looked around... You understand this almost immediately, the context and patterns do the work for you.
Chapter 5
"الرسالة كانت مكتوبة بخط قديم..."
The letter was written in old handwriting... You didn't study that sentence. You just... understand it.
Chapter 10
"وقفت سارة في الفناء الهادئ..."
Sara stood in the quiet courtyard... Complex syntax, multiple clauses, but you follow it, because the story carried you there.
Everything You Get
20 chapters. 60+ video lessons. A complete path from beginner to confident.
✓
20 story chapters in MSAPlus audio & transcripts in 4 spoken dialects, Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf & Moroccan
✓
60+ video lessons with DianeGrammar, vocabulary, script
& culture, all in context
✓
Pronunciation trainingArabic pronunciation
& accent guidance
✓
Speaking activity packsStructured exercises for solo
or tutor practice
✓
100% downloadableStudy offline, anywhere, on
any device
✓
Private communityAsk questions, get support,
connect with learners
✓
Comprehension quizzesCheck your progress at every
stage
✓
Lifetime accessIncluding all future updates,
forever
Try Arabic Uncovered Risk-Free
365-Day Money-Back Guarantee
I'm confident Arabic Uncovered will work for you. But I also know that confidence comes from experience, not promises.
So here's my guarantee: Try the course. Work through the chapters. If at any point in the next 365 days you decide it's not for you, email us and we'll refund every penny. No questions. No awkwardness. No hassle.
You have a full year to decide. That's how confident I am that you'll love learning this way.
Olly Richards
$397 $297
Less than $1 a day over a year • Equivalent to two university semesters
Start with a 7-day free trial. Full access. Cancel anytime.
Start Your 7-Day Free TrialYou won't be charged until your trial ends
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not a complete beginner. Is this course for me?
If you're still building your foundation and don't feel
confident holding conversations yet, yes, Arabic Uncovered
will fill in the gaps and give you the fluency you're missing.
If you can already hold comfortable conversations with native
speakers, you might be better suited for our Intermediate
courses. Not sure? Start the free trial and see where you land.
What if I don't have time to study every day?
The course is entirely self-paced. There are no live sessions,
no deadlines, no pressure. You have lifetime access, so you can
start when you're ready, take breaks when life gets busy, and
come back whenever you want. Most students find that 20-30
minutes a day works well, but you can adjust to your schedule.
What variety of Arabic do you teach?
Arabic Uncovered teaches both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA / الفصحى) and 4 spoken dialects: Egyptian, Levantine (Jordanian/Palestinian), Gulf (Saudi), and North African (Moroccan). Every chapter includes the story in MSA plus full audio and transcripts in all four dialects, along with a dedicated Communication & Dialects video lesson that breaks down the differences. You choose the dialect that fits your goals, whether that's following Egyptian TV, chatting with Levantine friends, or working in the Gulf. By the end of the course, you'll understand both the formal written language and real everyday conversation.
How is this different from Duolingo or Babbel?
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. You get good at
matching words and completing exercises, but when you encounter
real Arabic, a news broadcast, a conversation with a local, a piece of literature, you're lost. StoryLearning teaches you to read
and understand actual Arabic through immersion in a compelling
story. You're not learning to pass quizzes; you're learning
to communicate in the real world.
What if it doesn't work for me?
You have 365 days to decide. If Arabic Uncovered isn't right
for you, for any reason, email us and we'll refund your
purchase in full. No questions asked, no forms to fill out.
We've processed thousands of refunds without hassle, though we
rarely need to.
Can I try before I pay?
Yes. The 7-day free trial gives you full access to the course.
Explore the lessons, experience the story, try the method. You
won't be charged until the trial ends, and you can cancel
anytime with one click.
What happens after the free trial?
After 7 days, your card is charged $297 for lifetime access to
the full course. There are no recurring fees, it's a single
payment. If you cancel during the trial, you won't be charged at
all. And remember, even after paying, you still have the 365-day
money-back guarantee.
How long will it take to complete the course?
Most students complete Arabic Uncovered in 3-6 months, studying
20-30 minutes per day. But there's no clock ticking. Some move
faster, some take their time. The course is designed for
sustainable progress, not a sprint.
Will I be able to speak fluently after this course?
Arabic Uncovered will give you a solid conversational
foundation, the ability to understand native speakers, hold
real conversations, and express yourself confidently. "Fluency"
is a lifelong journey, but this course will get you further than
years of apps and classes combined. Many students report
achieving more in 10 weeks than in years of previous study.
