Saudi dialect and learning English
Published
Children learn English faster when they start in their own dialect, because they understand what is being asked and feel safe. Saudi Arabic at the start doesn't hold English back; it is the bridge to it. What matters is that the Arabic fades gradually as the child learns more words, until English becomes the language of the conversation.
A child needs to understand first
When a child hears a whole sentence in a language they don't know, they don't know what to say or what is expected. When they hear “هذا cat — say it with me: cat!”, they understand the task and can focus on the one new word.
Why dialect, not formal Arabic?
A three- or five-year-old speaks the dialect of their home. When the tutor answers with the same words they use, the child feels they are talking with a friend, not a strange teacher, so they try more and talk more.
When does the Arabic fade?
Jammul has four levels. The first is almost all Arabic with one English word. Then short phrases, then short English sentences, then mostly English with Arabic only if the child gets stuck. Moving up depends on how many words the child has actually learned.
What about mixing Arabic and English?
Mixing (“أبي red”) is a good sign: the child has started using the word in their own speech. Jammul's tutor understands mixing, answers it, and gently says the sentence back in English.
Frequently asked questions
Does Jammul understand Saudi dialect?
Yes, the tutor is designed to understand children speaking Saudi dialect and mixing Arabic with English, and answers in simple Saudi Arabic.
Won't my child get used to Arabic and never speak English?
No, because the share of Arabic drops automatically as the child progresses, until English dominates at level four.
Can my child start directly in English?
If your child already understands some English, Jammul starts at a higher level. Parents can choose the level from their dashboard.