The first course of Arabic for Beginners provides a useful introduction, but unfortunately, I found the learning experience quite unstructured.
The first module focuses on the Arabic alphabet and phonology, but from the start, you are essentially dropped into the course without enough preparation. In the first test, for example, you are already expected to answer questions in Arabic even though you haven't had enough time to master the alphabet. For a complete beginner, this makes the learning curve unnecessarily difficult.
I also noticed some discrepancies between the vocabulary lists provided and what is presented in the videos. Some words or transliterations are not written in the same way, which can be particularly confusing when you are still learning to recognise Arabic letters and sounds. In addition, vocabulary is often introduced without much context or a clear progression, making some words feel as though they come out of nowhere.
The videos themselves could also benefit from a clearer structure. A more logical progression—alphabet and sounds first, followed by reading practice, basic vocabulary, and then simple sentences—would make the material much easier to absorb.
Overall, I would consider this course a useful starting point rather than a complete learning resource. It gives you a base and introduces important concepts, but I don't think the course alone is sufficient to make significant progress in Arabic. To really learn from it, you need to be proactive and supplement the material with books, pronunciation practice, exercises, or other learning platforms.
There is valuable content here, but with better organisation, consistency, and a more beginner-friendly progression, the course could be much more effective.