Is it possible to give a definite time-frame for learning Urdu?  Frankly speaking, it’s quite difficult to specify exactly how long it will take someone to learn the language. There are multiple variables that affect one’s second-language acquisition, such as necessity, motivation, level of education, culture, and previous experience with languages. Keeping this in view, it’s also imperative for an aspiring Urdu learner to decide what level of fluency they hope to attain. For example, picking up basic survival phrases for travel will take far less time than trying to become fluent. In this article, we’ll answer questions such as, "How long does it take to learn Urdu?" and give you some tips on how to learn Urdu fast! Table... Show more

You may have come across this well-known saying: "Communication works for those who work at it." Well, let us add a word—business—to the beginning of that saying.  If you plan on doing business in an unfamiliar land, you must prepare yourself accordingly in order to enjoy tangible results. Failing to prepare yourself, on the other hand, can be detrimental to your business venture!  With this in view, if you intend to set up a business in Pakistan or plan to visit the territory for the sake of a business commitment, you must learn some commonly used Urdu business phrases. Even a basic understanding of the business language of Pakistan can make your time there more productive. In this article, UrduPod101.com will introduce you to... Show more

Nobody can deny the significance of YouTube in today’s era of digitalization.  But did you know that this video-streaming platform can also have a significant impact on your language learning? By supplementing your normal studies with a healthy dose of videos, you can improve your Urdu on YouTube while having fun. That said, watching Urdu YouTube videos may or may not be the best learning approach for you. Every learner is different, and how effective this strategy is for you depends on a couple of factors: How many hours you spend on YouTube. Don’t watch just to kill time; be systematic and attentive for the best results.The quality of the channels you’re watching. Not all Urdu language YouTube channels are equal in terms of the... Show more

Some people say that Urdu is easy to learn, while others claim that Urdu is difficult.  Who are these people, and why should you believe them? Is it hard to learn Urdu, or easy?  Ask yourself these fundamental questions, and you may discover that the answers aren’t so straightforward.  At this stage, say goodbye to assumptions and taking others at their word. Instead, figure out the answers to these questions yourself as you begin your Urdu language-learning journey. It’s very likely that you’ll find some aspects of the language quite difficult and others much easier—this is normal when you start learning a language.  Due to its completely different writing script, Urdu tends to be a struggle for native English-speakers and... Show more

"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake." — Meister Eckhart As a learner of a foreign language, you should always opt to make mistakes instead of keeping quiet. While no one enjoys making mistakes, they’re an inevitable part of language-learning, and every successful learner has made them. Just remember that it’s important to learn from those mistakes so as not to repeat them!  In this article, we’ll outline the most common mistakes Urdu-learners make and how to avoid them.  But before we start, a quick note: If you’re an Urdu-learner, you’ll come to know at some point that even native Pakistanis are susceptible to making mistakes in their own language. For example, many Pakistanis are unable to... Show more

"To be or not to be, that is the question."  Prince Hamlet’s famous question not only immortalized his theatrical character, but also eternalized the dialogic brilliance of Shakespeare in the world of English drama. This question further elevates the character of Hamlet when you consider the proposal rightly put forward by Voltaire: "Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers." In this article, you’ll learn the most common questions and answers in Urdu. For asking questions and understanding the answers you receive is a vital element of communication. This knowledge will help eliminate ignorance, increase your understanding, and strengthen your bonds with others.   With this in mind, muscle up and learn how to ask... Show more

Imagine you’ve boarded a plane and fastened your seat belt. A few moments before takeoff, an announcement is made that the pilot is extremely good at the theory of flying, but is entirely bad at practical flying with zero flying hours under his belt.  Yes, you can very well anticipate the subsequent nightmare and the agony of the passengers. And you can probably anticipate where this is going.  To avoid such chaotic situations, and to assess one’s practical capacity for using a language, one must take a language proficiency test (in this case, an Urdu exam). The sole purpose of any language proficiency test is to evaluate how adept a person is at using the target language in daily life, in a variety of situations and contexts.  ... Show more

You asked, so we provided—easy-to-follow instructions on how to set up your electronic devices to write in Urdu! We’ll also give you a few excellent tips on how to use this keyboard, as well as some online and app alternatives if you prefer not to set up a Urdu keyboard. Table of Contents Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Urdu Setting up Your Computer and Mobile Devices for Urdu How to Activate an Onscreen Keyboard on Your Computer How to Change the Language Settings to Urdu on Your Computer Activating the Urdu Keyboard on Your Mobile Phone and Tablet Urdu Keyboard Typing Tips How to Practice Typing Urdu 1. Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Urdu Learning a new language is made so much easier when you’re able to... Show more

Can You Really Learn Urdu Alone? Learning a language on your own or without traditional classroom instruction may seem quite daunting at first. What if you run into questions? How do you stay motivated and on track to achieving goals? Don’t worry, not only is it possible to learn Urdu or any language without traditional classroom instruction: UrduPod101 has created the world’s most advanced and extensive online language learning system. Not only is UrduPod101 specifically designed to help you with learning a language on your own, it’s actually faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom options! Let’s look at some of the benefits of learning Urdu or any language alone. Also, don't forget to download your... Show more

Yes, even beginners can quickly learn conversational Urdu well enough to carry on real conversations with native speakers. Of course, beginners won’t be able to carry a conversation the same way they could in their native language. But, just knowing a few tips like which questions to ask to keep a conversation going are all you need to speak and interact with real native speakers! But before we get to specific suggestions, let’s first take a closer look at how having real Urdu conversations is so vital to your mastery of the language. Learning to Carry a Conversation is Vital to Mastery of Any Language Communicating with other people is the very point of language and conversation is almost second nature in our native tongue. For... Show more