Aktub is a web-based application for training users to type with the Arabic keyboard layout. Initially a small project in the fall of 2005 (then known as Kitab), it has grown, in collaboration with Sonia S'hiri, coordinator of the Arabic language program at the University of California, Berkeley, into a comprehensive utility that is useful to Arabic students of all levels. Between August 2006 and July 2007, Aktub was an application in commercial distribution. Now, it is available for free to all interested parties.

Aktub, the transliteration of the word ????, means "I write." While Aktub is an educational tool that supplements any beginning to intermediate course in the Arabic language, it is also geared at training and encouraging users to express their thoughts in the Arabic language. Because most users will inevitably be located in North America and Europe, we realize that it is difficult to find other persons who speak Arabic with whom to converse regularly. The Internet is the great connector, and we hope that improving typing skills will enable all peoples to communicate with each other more effectively.

Aktub is useful for people with any background in the Arabic language. Complete novices can take advantage of the introductory tutorials that introduce the individual letters of the Arabic alphabet along with their names and pronounciation. Additional introductions are available for diacritic markings, short vowels, the hamzeh, and Arabic numerals.

Those who are already familiar with the Arabic alphabet but cannot yet type can dive directly into the keyboard literacy track which interactively teaches users the position of each letter on the keyboard.

Once comfortable with the layout, users can advance to the keyboard proficiency series which focuses on typing complete words and sentences to improve speed. This track is useful for students of any calibre, as it introduces Arabic text side by side with the English translation. Typing skills are honed alongside vocabulary and comprehension.

Aktub may be of particular interest to persons who are following an Arabic language program at the University level. Aktub's keyboard proficiency track allows users to have words displayed to them according to either grammatical function (parts of speech) or theme. The themes are diverse, and the library of vocabulary is compatible with the popular Al-Kitaab textbook series by Kristen Brustad.

To view a comprehensive list of Aktub's features, please click here.

If you have comments or questions regarding the development of Aktub, please do not hesitate to contact its developer, Yaman Salahi, at the contact page. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Please visit the Screenshots page for more previews of Aktub.