In this article
GCSE Arabic tests four skills equally: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students who grow up hearing Arabic at home often speak well but lose marks in writing and grammar, while students who learned Arabic only at school may read well but struggle with listening and speaking. A term-by-term plan, with one-to-one practice on the weakest skill, makes the biggest difference.
How the Exam Is Structured
The Pearson Edexcel GCSE in Arabic (1AA0) has four papers, each worth 25%: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students sit all four papers at the same tier, Foundation (grades 1 to 5) or Higher (grades 4 to 9). See this GCSE Arabic exam paper guide for timings and marks, and always check the latest specification with your school or exam centre.
Typical Strengths and Gaps
| Student background | Usual strength | Usual gap |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic spoken at home | Listening and speaking | Spelling, grammar, formal writing |
| Learned Arabic at school or madrasa | Reading and vocabulary lists | Listening speed and spontaneous speaking |
| Reads Quran well, little Arabic | Reading the script | Vocabulary, grammar, understanding |
A Term-by-Term Plan for Year 10 and Year 11
- Year 10, autumn term: diagnose strengths and gaps; build core vocabulary for the main topic areas; revise verb forms in past, present and future.
- Year 10, spring term: regular listening practice with short recordings; reading comprehension; short written paragraphs with feedback.
- Year 10, summer term: speaking practice on the topics: describing photos, role plays and conversation; start longer writing tasks.
- Year 11, autumn term: exam-style questions for each paper; building opinions and justifications into speaking and writing.
- Year 11, spring term: full speaking rehearsals; timed writing; translation practice; targeted grammar.
- Year 11, summer term: past papers under timed conditions and focused revision of weak areas.
What One-to-One Online Support Adds
- Speaking rehearsal: the student speaks for most of the 30 minutes, with immediate correction.
- Writing feedback: errors in spelling, gender agreement and verb forms are corrected line by line.
- Listening at the right speed: the teacher can slow down, repeat, then speed up.
- Topic vocabulary: built and tested each week.
- A fixed routine: classes at the same times, around school and homework.
Our teachers have experience with the GCSE Arabic curriculum. Elbayan Academy is not an exam centre and does not enter students for exams; your school or a registered exam centre handles entries.
Weekly Plans
- Steady support (Year 10): 8 classes a month ($40), for example Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00 PM UK time.
- Exam year (Year 11): 16 classes a month ($80), Monday to Thursday, with one session a week focused on speaking.
Cairo is usually 2 hours ahead of the UK, and 1 hour ahead from late March to late April. Classes run 24/7. See our UK timing guide.
Preparing for the Speaking Paper
The speaking paper is where one-to-one practice helps most. It includes tasks such as a role play, describing a picture and a conversation across two themes. Students can prepare by:
- Building a short answer bank for each topic: opinions, reasons, examples, and a past and future tense in each answer.
- Practising answering unexpected follow-up questions, not only memorized answers.
- Rehearsing under timed conditions, with feedback on pronunciation and accuracy.
- Recording mock conversations and listening back to spot repeated mistakes.
Tips for Students
- Learn ten new words a day, with their plural or gender.
- Speak for two minutes a day on one topic, and record yourself.
- Read one short Arabic text a week and summarize it in English.
- Keep an error log of your common writing mistakes and check it before every essay.
- Practise past papers under timed conditions from Year 11 spring term.
Beyond GCSE
Many students who prepare for GCSE Arabic also want to read the Quran with better understanding. Arabic grammar and vocabulary make that much easier. See our Arabic for adults and Arabic for kids courses, and our guide for UK families.
Prices
- $5 per 30-minute one-to-one class.
- $40 a month for 8 classes, or $80 for 16.
- 20% off annual plans; a 10% family discount.
- A free trial class with no payment.
Payment is by PayPal, Visa, Mastercard or bank transfer. All teachers are certified from Al-Azhar University. Classes are taught in English, Arabic and French.
Start with a Free Trial Class
Elbayan Academy teaches one-to-one, 30-minute online classes with certified teachers from Al-Azhar University, each holding an Ijazah with a connected Sanad. Female teachers are available, classes run 24/7, and you receive a monthly progress report. Plans are $40 a month for 8 classes or $80 for 16. Book a free trial class on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GCSE Arabic assessed?
The Pearson Edexcel GCSE Arabic has four papers, listening, speaking, reading and writing, each worth 25%, taken at Foundation or Higher tier.
Can online tutoring help with GCSE Arabic?
Yes. One-to-one classes give extra speaking practice, writing feedback and listening work, focused on each student's weakest skill.
Do your teachers know the GCSE Arabic curriculum?
Yes. Our teachers have experience with the GCSE Arabic curriculum. We are not an exam centre; your school handles exam entries.
How many classes a week are needed for GCSE Arabic?
Two classes a week suit Year 10; many Year 11 students take four a week, with one focused on speaking.
How much does GCSE Arabic tutoring cost?
A 30-minute one-to-one class is $5. Plans are $40 a month for 8 classes or $80 for 16.
