Whether you should learn to speak or write in Arabic first depends on your purpose and use of the language. There are a few considerations that need to be regarded:

1. Communication Needs: In case you are studying Arabic only for oral communication, it would be more practical to learn to speak first.

This is most especially true when intending to engage speakers of Arabic in everyday conversations or business settings.

2. Career or Academic Requirements: Where the goal is related to the academic study or professional requirements of reading and writing in Arabic, for instance, research or literature or legal documents, it is advisable to start with writing.
3. Personal Preference: Others prefer to start with the spoken dialect first. Starting with the Spoken language is quite easier because one gets familiarity with pronunciation, vocabulary, and basic grammar before getting into the complexities of Arabic script.
4. Balanced Approach: Many learners feel that a balanced approach is useful where they would learn the basics of the conversation together with the reading and writing at a beginner’s level.

Ultimately, consider your specific goals and how you will use Arabic in practice. If possible, starting with basic conversational Arabic can provide a good foundation before advancing to writing.

What Should You Learn First in Arabic?

When you start learning Arabic, there are considered as the two most important elements that you should first focus on:

1. Arabic Script (Alphabet): An introduction to the Arabic alphabet, how to write a letter, and how to pronounce it. This is a significant approach when learning to read and write the Arabic language.
2. Basic Vocabulary: Learn some core vocabulary words and phrases that will be used in daily speaking. This helps build a foundation for speaking Arabic from day one.
3. Grammar Foundation: Get the groundwork for sentence composition, verb conjugation, as well as noun/adjective agreement. This will be basic building block information for meaningful sentences in Arabic.
4. Listening and Speaking: Listen to the speech of a moderate-speed Arabic interlocutor and begin to speak some easy sentences yourself. This helps develop conversational skills and pronunciation.
5. Cultural Setting: Get an idea of Arabic culture, customs, and traditions; this will not only add to your store of the language but also help you communicate more effectively by using suitable cultural terminology.
6. Reading Comprehension: Having a good command over the basics, one can easily proceed with reading Arabic, which will systematically build your reading skills and enhance your vocabulary.

The balance of your learning with these will provide a strong foundation in Arabic that will support you in moving on to more complex aspects of the language.

Can You Learn Arabic Without Writing?

It is quite possible to learn to speak Arabic without learning to write initially. Many language learners start with spoken communication first, especially if their immediate purpose is to be able to interact with Arabic speakers in everyday conversations or in specific travel or business contexts.

Here are some such ways forward:

1. Oral Communication: Learn Arabic on the basis of listening and speaking. This involves learning vocabulary, practicing pronunciation, and engaging in conversational exercises.
2. Listening Skills: Enhance listening to spoken Arabic by playing audio material, such as podcasts, videos, or using a language learning app with spoken practice.
3. Conversational Practice: Practice conversation with a native speaker or a language partner.

This strengthens what you have learned and helps to be effective in communicating real-life situations.

4. Transliteration: transliteration tools or materials which give the Arabic words in Latin script are very useful in helping with pronunciation and recognition, but transfer to the Arabic script as soon as possible to deepen knowledge.

Although it is possible and effective to learn without writing for spoken ability, including Arabic writing—like script and basic literacy—will be very helpful to build a better understanding of the language.

It’s often useful to add writing into the mix when you have some idea of spoken Arabic.

How Long Does It Take to Speak Arabic?

The period one can become fluent in speaking Arabic varies tremendously according to a number of factors:

1. Goals: Do you want to achieve basic conversational fluency, dialect proficiency, or high fluency in Modern Standard Arabic?
2. Previous Language Study: If you have studied other languages before, it helps in learning and acquiring the language structures.
3. Amount of study: How much time and effort can one make to study Arabic daily or weekly? The more regular the practice and immersion, the faster the learning.
4. Environment: Are you studying self-directed, enrolled in a class, or living in an Arabic-speaking environment? Immersion generally accelerates language acquisition.
5. Motivation and consistency: How much you are motivated to learn and how consistent you are in speaking, listening, practicing, and studying will greatly affect your speed.

Speaking subjectively, basic conversational fluency in Arabic could be achieved within several months to a year of constant study and practice.

In respect of this, mastery of advanced proficiency/fluent levels in MSA or any dialect would be within a few years of highly intensive efforts, especially for intricate features of grammar and subtle cultural senses and idiomatic expressions.

How Long Does It Take to Write Arabic?

Learning to write Arabic can also vary in duration depending on several factors:

1. Arabic Script Familiarity: If you’re starting from scratch with no prior exposure to Arabic script, it may take a few weeks to a couple of months to become comfortable with basic letter forms and writing directions.
2. Practice and Repetition: Like any script, mastering Arabic writing requires regular practice. Daily practice sessions focused on writing letters, words, and eventually, sentences can expedite your progress.
3. Grammar and Vocabulary Integration: As you progress, integrating grammar rules and vocabulary into your writing practice helps reinforce your learning and improve fluency in written Arabic.
4. Writing System Complexity: Arabic script has specific rules for initial, medial, final, and isolated forms of letters, as well as ligatures. Mastery of these nuances takes time and practice.
5. Feedback and Correction: Getting feedback on your writing from teachers, language exchange partners, or tutors can help you identify and correct mistakes, accelerating your learning.

Typically, with consistent practice and structured learning, learners can achieve basic proficiency in writing Arabic within a few months. 

Mastery and fluency in writing, especially in formal contexts like Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), may take a year or more of dedicated study and practice. 

As with speaking, motivation, regular practice, and immersion in Arabic language environments can significantly impact your progress.

If you like this article and find it helpful; you can share it with your friends and family; you can also check out our other articles; you may find them useful as well.

If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us; we are always here to help.