Customer Reviews

Teach Yourself Gulf Arabic Complete Course

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I was pleasantly surprised to find that when the book arrived today it was a new edition of a book I purchased years ago and gave away. It was on my list to purchase as a replacement and now I have it.

This book, I think, is well written and very well organized. The chapters are categorized under headings such as:

'Hello!' asking/giving your name/greetings.

'Where to?' and 'Where is...?' asking where things are, asking/giving directions.

'Numbers' and 'The telephone number is...' asking/giving telephone numbers.

'What time is it?' telling time, when places open/close and days of week etc.

'How much is this?' bargaining, buying and describing things.

'Are you hungry?' ordering food/drinks and what you like and dislike.

'In the House' where you live, renting a apt/house.

'In the Hotel' booking a room, services, complaints.

'Health' talking to a doctor/secretary, taking medicine.

And you can learn how to buy a bus ticket to another city, talk to the taxi driver and GIVE HIM directions where you want to go, order food/drinks from the menu at some restaurants and chat with the waiter while giving him your order ... How to rent an apartment and hire a car ........ How cool is this book???

The book is filled with vocabulary for every chapter, a dictionary given in both languages and plenty of dialog with the very helpful 'Key Phrases' in each unit. Helpful grammar points and 'Notes' given on the usage of some words/phrases in conversation. The verb is given in regular and irregular form. You really learn how to speak the Arabic language in conversation with Arab speakers from this book.

There are plenty of fun and interesting quizzes/exercises with an answer key at the end of the book. Every section has some Arabic script so you will be able to identify road signs and highway board notices and order from a simple menu. Then there are 'Cultural Tips' in many of the sections that explain the Arab heritage .... And much more.

In the years since I first studied 'Teach Yourself Arabic', it is this book that I recall to mind when in conversation with an Arab speaker even now.

I highly recommend this book. It will teach you the language and build confidence as you learn to use it.

I was very puzzled when I opened this book. Arabic is, of course, not written in latin script, but in Arabic script. While most Teach Yourself language books start out by introducing you to the written language (sometimes offering transliterations as well, as least for the first few lessons), this book is written almost exclusive in transliteration. The Arabic alphabet IS taught, but very, very slowly, offering one or two letters per lesson. It isn't until the end of the book that you gain the ability to read ANYTHING in Arabic!)

I will confess to being very confused as to why anyone would want to learn to speak a language without also learning to be able to read and write it.

Fortunately I also own the "beginning Arabic Script" book, so I guess I'll start with that one. Still, I'd love to know why the authors thought it unnecessary to include reading/writing in this text. Travelers using this book will arrive in their destination unable to read even the most basic signs, let alone books or newspapers. Pretty useless, I think.