How to learn to type in Arabic
How I did it: I started by typing small homework assignments instead of writing them out by hand. Then when I got to the point where I had to start turning in essays, I didn't have to waste precious time searching for the hamza on the keyboard. I can't type as fast in Arabic as I can in English, but I type at a steady pace faster than I can write.
Lessons & tips: I cheated because I have a mac and I'm using Arabic-QWERTY instead of
the Arabic keyboard they actually use in Arab countries. Not a huge
problem, but slightly inconvenient when you're trying to search for a
book in Arabic at a library in Jordan. Just something to keep in mind if you plan on typing on computers other than yours if you go abroad.
Resources: It's not possible to write in Arabic in Word on a Mac so I downloaded Mellel, a great word processing program that supports Arabic script. The student price is only $30.
Some people use little stickers on their keyboards so they know where the Arabic letters are - I didn't, but I'm sure they would be helpful, especially if you're not using QWERTY.
