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When you decide to learn Arabic for whatever reason, you may choose to start at home. Study a few basic words to see how you manage with pronunciation before you decide to learn Arabic in depth. This introduction will give you a base to work on if you do decide to take a course. Furthermore, you will be more confident going in.
You must first decide if you wish to learn Arabic in its classical or colloquial form. If your interest is to learn Arabic for one specific country then you need the dialect from that particular region. Otherwise, it is ideal to master Modern Standard Arabic, a classical version. This language is used in the media, books and politics.
Once you learn to speak Arabic in one way, it is easier to adapt then to local dialects. Lebanese, Jordanians, Syrians and Palestinians use the Egyptian and Levantine dialects, which are the most generally understood outside these areas also. However, the local dialect in Morocco is not understood very much outside Maghreb.
When you choose to learn Arabic in the Modern Standard form, you may sound formal to educated Arabs from the Middle East, however at least you will be understood. On the other hand, you may find it a little difficult to understand them when they speak to you in local dialects.
If your interest in Islam is what causes you to desire to learn Arabic, then again classical Arabic is better to learn than colloquial.
If you plan to travel to the Middle East, even if only a short trip, then you should at least try to learn Arabic script. Understanding script you can read signs on roads and buses. Even though it may seem very difficult to read Arabic script, script is better to learn and recognize than transliterations. Transliterations may be easier for you to master, but will not help at all when reading signs in Arabic script.
Do not attempt to learn Arabic alphabet all at once. Setting aside one hour every day and taking just three letters, you will learn them all within two weeks. Each letter has three forms, initial, middle and final.You should practice writing every letter in its three forms, reciting aloud while you write to practice pronunciation.
Once you master a few letters, you should practice writing them alphabetically in sets of three. Every time you print a set you drop one letter at the beginning plus put one at the end. Continue this process through the alphabet. As soon as you remember the entire series, you will be prepared to learn Arabic.
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You may find this exercise difficult and wearing, but definitely worth the effort. You will become proficient in all forms of all letters, as well as which will not join to the next letter. In addition, you will memorize letters in their alphabetical order. When you start to learn Arabic in depth, knowing the alphabetical order will help when you need to consult a dictionary.