Dear Mazad and Fatima and patience,
hmmm for me i find that both reading and understanding people talking is the most difficult part in learning a new language ... so if you can read and write arabic then you are at least a BIG step closer
What I would suggest and it's what I do with other languages such as German and French is to practice practice practice... try to immerse yourself somewhere where you have to speak the language... if it's an arabic playgroup with ther moms and kids or even just a friend who is better in arabic than you who you agree with to ONLY talk in arabic....i think that's the best solution... also try writing down the words you can't express and those you can't understand and look them up everyday ... that way you are learning (just have a small pen and paper in your purse)... you could look up a tandem arrangement where you talk to someone in your language in return for them talking to you in arabic for say 1 hour every week or something....
I believe that it's best if you speak with your child in arabic and that's why you should learn to speak in arabic - it's not that hard
meanwhile, as you make your arabic better, make your children listen to LOTS of arabic songs and watch LOTS of stuff in arabic (as long as its educational and appropriate of course - because we don't want to teach them bad stuff along with the language!) - there are tons of stuff on youtube
Listen to english music and watching TV programs in english as a kid was one of the most influential things on my english - i used to look up words i didnt understand in the dictionary just so I got what that sentence in that song meant - so this is from experience!
try to find an arabic playgroup so your child has to play with kids who speak Arabic - it will do wonders
And most of all DONT GIVE UP - the reason you are struggling with Arabic now is because you didn't learn it while you are young so don't let that happen to your baby too ;D as much as in your power of course - no stress here!!
and as for the signs on my files - i'll get to that in the future i promise fatima but i just can't seem to find the time for that now
but as soon as i can i will !!
i hope this helps !
Digg
