Mama Teaches Me
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Resources
    • Homeschool Travels
  • Free Resources
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Reflections
    • Privacy Policy
  • Log In
0
Mama Teaches Me
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Resources
    • Homeschool Travels
  • Free Resources
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Reflections
    • Privacy Policy
  • Log In
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Arabic Seeds Review & Interview
arabic seeds, mamateachesme, interview
January 15, 2020

Arabic Seeds Review & Interview

Are you looking to teach your children Arabic at home as non-native Arabic speakers and not sure what to purchase or where to start? I’ve had the same trouble myself. That’s when I discovered Arabic Seeds!
Now luckily for me I WON a year’s subscription to Arabic Seeds membership in an online giveaway – it was the best prize ever! It was only then that I got to see first hand what Arabic Seeds is all about. The membership gave me access to so many Arabic Resources perfect for my children! With unit studies, fun activities and even videos to hear the language, I could feel this business started with a real sense of passion and love for the Arabic Language. But rather than just  hearing my thoughts on the membership, I wanted the founder herself to show you her passion for the Arabic Language which encouraged her to start her journey to creating Arabic Seeds, so I interviewed her! Here’s what she had to say:
arabic seeds, mamateachesme, interview

Tell us about yourself and how you got started with Arabic Seeds. 

Assalamu 3alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu! 

I am Emilie, founder of Arabic Seeds, a French mom currently homeschooling and living in British Columbia, Canada. 

I started to learn Arabic by myself at home around 2010, starting with reading, writing, and then grammar with the first Madina book. Since I was not practicing the language in my daily life, I started to feel the difficulties coming more and more, forgetting my lists of vocabulary, not really acquiring the grammar rules… 
But then two experiences boosted my learning and moved me towards more fluency alhamdulillah: I discovered the Arabic teaching book “Arabic between your hands” (“al arabiyyatu bayna yadayk”) using audios and real-life dialogues and I started to raise my baby in Arabic (along with French). Her father was speaking to her in Arabic but since he was away at work during the day and we were in a French-speaking environment, I decided to emphasize on Arabic with her: reading aloud to her everyday, talking to her in Arabic as much as I could (I started with words and simple sentences, and then was able to use more complex sentences and speak more fluently as I was practicing), playing in Arabic. 
She could understand it and then speak it from toddler age like any other children can do with their native language. She had acquired Arabic grammar rules without us having to teach her, but by just being exposed to the whole language in her daily life. 
When she was 5/6 years old she was able to read and write in Arabic and I truly believe that the fact that she was already used to the sounds of the language and what she was reading/writing was making sense to her eased her learning. She also can read Qur’an and basically understand various verses and ahadeeth (of course a more advanced knowledge is necessary when reading religious sources). We now homeschool in order to better balance her 3 languages (Arabic, French, English) and protect her Arabic in particular (and it’s not without challenges but we don’t give up, with the permission of Allah)
I would like to add that at the beginning, I particularly struggled to find quality, suitable Arabic children resources adapted to non-native speaking parents, like books with harakat and easy-to-read clear Arabic fonts, and no mistakes in the harakat (now even my daughter can spot them but at the beginning as a non native parent I needed more quality!) These experiences inspired me to start Arabic Seeds in order to help other families.

Tell me more about Arabic Seeds. What does it feature? What makes it so unique?

The goal of Arabic Seeds is to provide adapted Arabic resources to non-native speakers so that they can use the language in real life and really acquire it, and to promote the use of Arabic as a living language (not a dead-language that is only written and read and kept in textbooks. I studied some Latin and Ancient Greek during my Education in France and I don’t want Arabic to get classified in this category in the future). I strongly believe that the struggles experienced by a large part for Arabic learners in the West comes from the approach used to learn/teach it and by the lack of daily life exposure and practice. I don’t like to say that Arabic is a difficult language because that idea actually holds back learners instead of having them persevering and looking for the right approach to learn it.

 
The uniqueness of our resources may also come from how we create our resources. Based on my experience as a non native speaker, we create them following our own criteria to ensure the best/right quality for our customers:
  • carefully proofread resources (my husband is my trustworthy Arabic proofreader, and my daughter now also helps me spot the first typos)
  • English translation included. 
  • We purposely don’t provide transliterations as it can hold back and mislead learners, instead we now provide read aloud videos and audios to help non native speakers (members advantage)
  • vowels (“harakaat”) in the Arabic text, more space between letters to ease beginning readers, clear Arabic font for beginners.
  • meaningful topics inspired by kids & daily life and resources including full sentences so that learners can re-use what they learn in their own life and acquire the language! What you read or listen from our resources can be re-used when speaking.
  • resources designed with a professional software, illustrated with our own hand-drawn illustrations.
Arabic Seeds, Mamateachesme

What’s on offer at Arabic Seeds? Can you tell me more about the membership?

Arabic Seeds started in 2015 with an online digital shop and a blog to share tips with parents and teachers. Since 2018, I have started a new exciting adventure by offering an affordable membership subscription that give members access to all our resources as well as exclusive perks: read-aloud and “listen and repeat” videos of our stories and flashcards, tutorial videos and short texts with audios written by our daughter, exclusive printables, and resources organized into themed units. We are currently at 100+ resources alhamdulillah, adding more every month and planning to add online educational games in the future (I plan to outsource some content creation as soon as I can afford it in order to provide more and more to our members inshaaAllah).
The goal of Arabic Seeds‘ Membership is to offer a “feast” (to use a concept I discovered through the Charlotte Mason approach while homeschooling) of Arabic resources in order to expose learners to the whole language and make them listen, speak, read, write and connect with Arabic. Seeing the great response our membership has received alhamdulillah, it seems that this is what parents, teachers and homeschoolers were looking for. As a homeschooler myself, I absolutely love the convenience of being able to choose resources from a wide range of topics and formats in order to integrate them in my weekly plans and daily routines.   

What are your most popular resources and why?

I think that one of our most popular content are our themed units (offered in our membership). The themes we currently offer are: “Greetings and Introducing myself”, “Daily actions and routines”, “Fall’s treasures”, “Animals and little stories”, “At the park”, “Five senses at the beach”, “Winter joy’s”, Space, “I love Spring”, “Around the house”. 
Each unit is deliberately based on a printable book/story to give learners a meaningful context and engage them into learning. We then create the other unit’s resources (worksheets, flashcards, crosswords and colouring pages, rhymes, read-aloud videos etc.) to make the learners practice vocabulary/structures/sentences introduced by the book, and make them practice the 4 language skills (listen, speak, read and write).
We also recently started to release an engaging Arabic Alphabet series for preschoolers featuring our 2 kittens (Nashoot and Bannoon who are the main characters of several of our stories) and we have already received good feedback about these resources.
 
Our Seasons & Weather wall display includes full sentences to avoid a dry list of vocabulary.
The Arabic commands freebie and free Spring bundle are also very popular.

What advice would you give to parents teaching their children Arabic as a second language?

First, I would say that it is never too early or to late to start alhamdulillah! 
 
Then, my experience in raising my child in Arabic, as well as recommendations from bi/multilingualism experts (I particularly love to read the website multilingualparenting.com to debunk myths and concerns and to learn about strategies and tips) show that the best way to pass on Arabic to our kids is to regularly expose them to the fluent language (avoiding dry lists of vocabulary or grammar rules and cookie-cut language) and to integrate it into our life as much as we can.
 
I know this approach sounds overwhelming for non-native speakers so I recommend to start small but with regularity (10 minutes of “Arabic time” per day and then increase as much as you can). You can read more practical tips by age range in our Parents Guide. And if you have Arabic speakers around you, ask them to speak Arabic to your children even though they might feel it’s “weird” to speak in Arabic and not in a dialect, and they might have to search some words in the dictionary and refresh their memory and speaking fluency at the beginning. All the common efforts are so worth it! Make it a family/community affair! (By the way, our daughter uses Arabic when we visit her father’s family in North Africa – which delights them – and she also quickly picked up their local dialect. I am glad that we chose to put Arabic first alhamdulillah!)
 
Also, know that you won’t probably see results quickly, this is a long term journey, brain mechanisms are developing and making connections, don’t give up! With the appropriate resources, regular exposure, commitment, patience and perseverance, it is possible to acquire Arabic and to make it a language we use in our families bi’idhnillAh.

If you want to check out Arabic Seeds Resources before hopping on to sign up to the membership programme – check out the FREE RESOURCES on offer!

 

Arabic Seeds are also offering 10% OFF for our readers on a monthly or annual membership. Use code mamateachesarabic at checkout!

by hafsah
  • Resources, Reviews
  • 0
  • 6 Comments

6 Comments

Image Not Fount
by Eva Georgieva on January 15, 2020

What an incredible interview . Emilie is such an inspiration Masha Allah . We have used her resources in the past and my eldest two have loved it . Need to get back . Lovely review ….xxx

Reply
Image Not Fount
by hafsah on January 15, 2020

Yes mA I love the ideas that stem from her resources and unit studies too 🙂

Image Not Fount
by Nichole on January 16, 2020

What a thorough review! Very inspiring. I’m excited to see what Emilie and her family provides in the future with Arabic Seeds for those seriously seeking to learn Arabic.

Reply
Image Not Fount
by hafsah on January 16, 2020

Yes me too! Thank you!

Image Not Fount
by Islam - The Ultimate Truth on January 17, 2020

Jazak Allah Khayr for the review! There is also a website called duolingo that you may like!

Reply
Image Not Fount
by hafsah on January 18, 2020

Thank you! Will have a look

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

 

Click on the image above to subscribe!

Disclaimer

www.mamateachesme.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Recent Posts

  • How to plan your Umrah Trip with kids
  • OUR TOP 10 FAVOURITE ISLAMIC BOOKS FOR CHILDREN (2020)
  • Homeschool Tips To keep You Going!
  • Quran Treasure Island App Review
  • Ramadan Baskets for Children this Ramadan!

Recent Comments

  • surah muzammil on How to start teaching your child to read Arabic at home!
  • Sanaa on OUR TOP 10 FAVOURITE ISLAMIC BOOKS FOR CHILDREN (2020)
  • Ann Marie on 15 effective letter formation techniques for 3-4 year olds!
  • zeenia on My top 10 tips for an Umrah Trip with Kids!
  • Mariam Abid on My top 10 tips for an Umrah Trip with Kids!

Categories

  • Apps
  • Arabic
  • Books
  • Hajj
  • Homeschool Travels
  • Homeschooling
  • Homeschooling Theme
  • Islamic Studies
  • Literacy
  • Makkah
  • Motherhood
  • Muslim Homeschool
  • Nature School
  • Prep & Planning
  • Quran
  • Ramadan
  • Reflections
  • Resources
  • Reviews
  • Teaching Tips
  • Uncategorized
  • Year 1 Homeschool
  • Year 1 Homeschool Units
  • Year 2 Homeschool Units

Daily updates on Instagram

mamateachesme

mamateachesme
If you’re blessed to perform Umrah this winter w If you’re blessed to perform Umrah this winter with your children - cherish the moments and I pray Allah accepts it. It’ll also be a reminder that truly in the worship and remembrance of Allah will our hearts find ease and rest. 

It’s also a reminder for those of us who cannot go that our greatest connection to Allah is through prayer and dua - so whatever your feeling right now, pour your hearts out to Allah. 

We are saddened by the atrocities that are happening in Gaza and Palestine and Sudan and Yemen and Lebanon and other parts of the world too.

I have about 12 copies of My First Guide to Umrah that I can post out to UK address for £15 (including p&p) with all profits to Palestine via charity @humanappeal - please DM me to place your order.

Tag anyone who going for Umrah this year or early next year with their kids! 

#mamateachesme #umrahguide #standwithpalestine #freepalestine #prayer#dua #faith
Alhamdulillah the girls have been working hard ove Alhamdulillah the girls have been working hard over this past month on their project on Palestine for our Homeed Community Project Showcase Event today. It was a wonderful way to showcase all their learning and display their posters and the Al Aqsa model for all to see. 

We showcased our Al Quds History Unit work as well and the girls shared their resistance artwork and poems too. Will be sharing more on our community event soon. Whilst the genocide continues, please continue to make dua and don’t stop talking about Palestine 🇵🇸 if you need help with teaching resources for your kids please check out our website www.mamateachesme.com 

Save and share to encourage others to start learning and teaching their children about Palestine 🇵🇸 

#istandwithpalestine #freepalestine #savegaza #ceasfirenow #palestineproject #kidsproject #unitstudy #rightaideofhistory #stateofpalestine #watermelon
This little boy’s Yaqeen and faith in His Lord w This little boy’s Yaqeen and faith in His Lord will forever be etched in our hearts. Ya Allah we trust in your plans - You are the best of planners!

#istandwithpalestine #freepalestine #savegaza #ceasefirenow🇵🇸
3D Model of Al Aqsa Compound #diy #craft With Pa 3D Model of Al Aqsa Compound #diy #craft 

With Palestine still on our minds and in our prayers, here’s something we’ve been working on with the kids last month - it took a few weeks to get through as we had some pauses in between. It led to a lot of discussion on the first Qibla, learning when the dome of the rock was built and so much more. It certainly was a labour of love and hard work which we look forward to sharing with our homeed community in our upcoming Project Showcase iA. 

SAVE and SHARE to benefit and encourage others! 

Oh how we pray for a liberated Palestine in sha Allah so we can all visit the 3rd Holiest Masjid in Islam and our first Qiblah! May Allah send his mercy and justice to Palestine 🇵🇸 Ameen

#istandwithpalestine #alaqsa #freepalestine #gaza #ceasfirenow #homeeducation #mamateachesme #3dmodel
Do not think ˹O Prophet˺ that Allah is unaware o Do not think ˹O Prophet˺ that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them until a Day when ˹their˺ eyes will stare in horror— (Quran 14:42)

Video via @motaz_azaiza Gaza 

#istandwithpalestine #ceasefirenow #quran #freepalestine
The 100 years of war on Palestine - the same msg r The 100 years of war on Palestine - the same msg repeated in every generation. Listen to watch Malcolm X said about the Palestinian struggle. Stand on the right side of history! 

#freepalestine #istandwithpalestine #malcolmx #ceasefirenow🇵🇸
Today is International Day of Solidarity with Pale Today is International Day of Solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸 

I covered a similar lesson with my girls on key phrases such as Naqba, Apartheid and Seige to get a better understanding of what’s happening in Palestine - this is your cue to start educating yourself.

I’ll be sharing some books for adults soon but do check out the hashtag #readpalestine for more.

#istandwithpalestine #gaza #freepalestine
The Soul of my Soul 💔 Allah strengthen our Im The Soul of my Soul 💔 

Allah strengthen our Imaan, Oh Allah bless and preserve our brothers and sisters in Palestine 🇵🇸 as we await your victory! Ameen 

#istandwithpalestine #freepalestine #soulofmysoul
As the hostages on both sides get released, I’m As the hostages on both sides get released, I’m thinking about Ahmad 😔 May Allah bring justice and free all the Palestinian hostages too. Ameen 

#istandwithpalestine #freepalestine #ceasefirenow🇵🇸 #freeahmadmanasra
“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
Nelson Mandela

#istandwithpalestine #freepalestine #savegaza
Our final session on our Al Quds - The Holy Land U Our final session on our Al Quds - The Holy Land Unit Study, we looked into the beautiful cities and towns of Palestine 🇵🇸 through this wonderful book We are Palestinian by @reem.kassis - go buy it and support Palestinian Authors! 

We pray you are enjoying or have enjoyed the unit study as much as we did - remember this was just the start- you might find you want to research an area some more: read more on Recent Palestinian History or during the time of the Prophets or maybe even the time of Salahuddin Ayubi and the Crusaders. 

Remember this is a history that’s trying to be erased or distorted so take it upon yourself to read and educate yourself so you can teach your own children too! 

Where do you go next from here? What aspect of the history of Al Quds will you teach next? We’ve started reading Elizabeth Liard’s A Little Piece of Ground in our English study (more on that soon iA)

JzkAllah khayr to all those who supported and purchased this unit study - 100% profits will be donated to @humanappeal for Palestine 🇵🇸 May Allah accept it from us and May Allah bring peace and liberate Palestine once more! Ameen 

#istandwithpalestine #freepalestine #mamateachesme #unitstudy #palestinehistory
Wake up. Wake up to what’s happening in the worl Wake up. Wake up to what’s happening in the world. Stand on the right side of history. Educate yourself and connect to God.

Thank you @rollaselbak for this beautiful video ❤️

#istandwithpalestine #freepalestine #savegaza
Session 7 - the girls learnt all about Palestinian Session 7 - the girls learnt all about Palestinian Resistance. Despite the unfortunate history of Palestine, Allah has made them one of the bravest and resilient of people. We spoke about the symbols of resistance such as the watermelon 🍉- the girls thought it was clever of the Palestinians to hold the watermelon (as it has the same colours as their flag) when they weren’t allowed to wave their flag 🇵🇸 

In this session the girls created posters and flags to support the Palestinians and of course because they too stand with Palestine 🇵🇸 🍉 

#istandwithpalestine #freepalestine #savegaza #mamateachesme #resistance #palestine #🍉
When the State of Palestine addresses Isr*ael at t When the State of Palestine addresses Isr*ael at the UN - really worth the watch! 

#istandwithpalestine #freegaza #freepalestine #ceasefirenow
In this session we went back to @muslimchildrensbo In this session we went back to @muslimchildrensbooks Eliyas Explains What’s going on in Palestine 🇵🇸 and this time focussed in on many of the new vocabulary that was introduced including: The Nakba, Apartheid, illegal occupation, settlers, siege and more. We had lots of discussion as each word was defined with some dictionary work. I’ve also included a matching definitions to word activity here for ease. 

Buy your copy of the unit study at www.mamateachesme.com as we donate 100% profits to Charities supporting Palestine 🇵🇸 

#istandwithpalestine #mamateachesme #freepalestine #savegaza #unitstudy #historyunit
Load More... Follow on Instagram
© COPYRIGHT 2020 All Rights Reserved.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT