Your notbook is your friend

In a world full of apps and digital tools, the humble notebook still holds a special power — especially when it comes to learning a language like Arabic.

Writing by hand strengthens memory, focuses your attention, and helps you build your own personal map of the language.

But it’s not just about taking notes randomly. It’s about building a tool you can return to, review, and grow with. Here’s how.

Keep Your Notebook Simple — But Powerful

Don’t overcomplicate it. The goal of your Arabic notebook is not perfection — it’s clarity and usefulness.

Here’s a solid method that works:

For Every New Verb:

• Write it in Present + Past tense

• Add a short note about pronunciation or irregularities

• Add a brief meaning

• If available, include a quick fact (ex: related word, root meaning, cultural tip)

• Write 2–3 short example sentences using you or I to keep it practical

That’s it. No fancy color codes or systems needed.
Just stay consistent and clean.

The Only Real Rule: Make It Readable so you can read it again and remember it!

A notebook that’s messy or disorganized is useless.
So here’s how to make sure it stays clear:

• Use the same structure every time

• Keep it neat and spaced (leave some space between entries!)

• Stick to one topic — this is your Spoken Arabic notebook, not a place to mix in grammar from school or physics notes

• Date your entries so you can easily come back and review

If you are a note taking master, make an index!

I find this very useful for me to prepare for my C2 DELE Spanish exam!

I keep very simple notebook for words I really want to learn!

I keep it personal, it is not about the exam itself, it is about me being able to do the exam! I don't keep an index because I am not yet a Note taking Master, maybe someday! I do the simplest thing I can do: keeping it readable (at least for me, I know I have a weird hand writing in Arabic!).

Final Reminder

A good notebook is not about how it looks, not about having other functions, not about adding AI or some plugin ..this will make you lose your time!
It’s about whether it helps you remember! noting more, nothing less!

Keep it simple. Keep it yours. Keep going, it is just a tool!