Online Quran Classes in Chicago for Adults, New Muslims and Sisters
Most Quran classes are built around children. So where does that leave you, if you’re the one who wants to learn?
Maybe you grew up Muslim but never learned to read properly, and it’s bothered you for years. Maybe you’ve recently become Muslim and the Arabic script looks completely unfamiliar. Or maybe you’re a sister who would feel much more comfortable learning with a woman.
All of these are good reasons to start, and none of them should hold you back.
Learning as an adult, without embarrassment
Adults often worry about reading slowly or making basic mistakes in front of others. With one-on-one lessons, there are no others.
At Quran Specialist Online, every class is live and one-on-one with a qualified teacher, on Zoom or MS Teams. It’s just you and your teacher for about 30 minutes. You can go at your own pace, ask anything, and go over something again as often as you need.
Most adult beginners start with Noorani Qaida, which covers the Arabic letters, joining and vowel sounds. Once you’re reading, you can move on to Quran reading with Tajweed and, later, Hifz if you’d like to memorize.
New to Islam? Start with the first letter
If you’re a new Muslim, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. The trick is to take one small step at a time. First you learn the letters. Then you learn how they join. Then come short words, and then short surahs.
Your teacher will keep things calm and clear. There’s no rush, and no question is too basic.
Sisters: learn with a female teacher
Some sisters would simply rather learn with a woman. Female Quran teachers are available on request. They teach one-on-one, so you can learn in a comfortable, private setting from home.
If you have daughters, they can learn with a female tutor for kids too. Our guide for parents of daughters who’d like a female teacher has more detail.
Fitting lessons into your week
Chicago is in the Central Time zone. We schedule after-school, evening and weekend classes for Central Time students, and you choose the times that suit you.
A 30-minute lesson is easy to fit in before dinner, after the kids are in bed, or on a weekend morning. Because it’s online, there’s no commute on top of it.
Daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. Around those dates, it’s worth confirming your class time with us on WhatsApp.
Learning as a family
If your children want to learn too, our Quran classes for kids start from about age 4. They include Islamic studies basics like wudu, Salah, the six kalmas, daily sunnah duas, ten surahs and Islamic manners.
When more than one person in a family learns with us, you can save up to 20% with our family discount. Parents can sit in on their children’s lessons, and our safeguarding page explains how we keep classes safe.
A few first goals for new Muslims
If you’re new to Islam, it can help to have a few clear goals for your first months of learning. Your teacher will help you set your own, but common early goals include:
- Recognizing all the Arabic letters and saying each one correctly.
- Reading short words using the vowel marks.
- Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha correctly. It’s recited in every unit (rak’ah) of the prayer, so it’s a natural first surah to learn well.
- Learning a few short surahs for your daily prayers.
There’s no deadline. Take the steps at a pace that feels right for you.
Tips for adult learners
- Little and often. Ten minutes of practice a day helps more than one long weekend session.
- Read out loud. Saying the sounds trains your mouth as well as your eyes.
- Write down questions between lessons and bring them to your teacher.
- Be patient with yourself. Learning a new script as an adult takes time, and every letter you learn is real progress.
If you’re learning alone
Some adult learners, especially new Muslims, don’t have anyone at home to practice with. That can feel lonely. One-on-one lessons give you a steady point of contact: a teacher who knows your level, remembers what you covered last time, and helps you keep going. Sisters can choose a female teacher, which can make it easier to ask questions freely.
What you need
- A laptop, tablet or phone with Zoom or MS Teams (both free).
- A reliable internet connection.
- A quiet place to sit for about 30 minutes.
Headphones are useful if you’d rather keep your lessons private at home or study on a lunch break.
Monthly plans in US dollars
| Plan | Live 1-on-1 classes a week | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 2 | $30 |
| Steady | 3 | $45 |
| Plus | 4 | $60 |
| Intensive | 5 | $70 |
Plus a family discount of up to 20%. See the fees page for details.
Try a week, free
Start with a 7-day free trial, with no payment and no credit card. Give yourself a week to see how it feels to learn one-on-one.
Prefer to ask a question first? WhatsApp us at +1 786 550 3540. We’re rated 4.76 out of 5 from 6 Google reviews. See our USA online Quran classes page for more.
Questions families in Chicago ask us
I’m an adult beginner. Will I be in a class with children?
No. Every lesson is one-on-one on Zoom or MS Teams, so it’s just you and your teacher, working at your level and pace.
I’m a new Muslim and can’t read Arabic at all. Can I still start?
Yes. You can begin with the very first letter in Noorani Qaida, and your teacher will break everything into small, clear steps.
Can I learn with a female teacher?
Yes. Female Quran teachers are available for sisters. Just ask when you book your free trial.
What times are classes available in Chicago?
We schedule after-school, evening and weekend slots for Central Time students, and you choose the times that suit you.
How much are classes for adults?
Adults use the same plans: $30 a month for 2 classes a week, up to $70 a month for 5, with a family discount of up to 20%. Every new student can start with a 7-day free trial, no credit card needed.