Read and Speak Arabic for Beginners

by Jane Wightwick, Mahmoud Gaafar

Arabic basics made easy--and fun! Studying Arabic is intimidating. Not only do you face the usual challenges of learning a new language--vocabulary, grammar, verb tenses--but you also have to learn a non-Roman alphabet as well. These formidable obstacles frustrate many learners. But now there is a program that helps you overcome these hurdles so you can be successful in your Arabic language studies. The extraordinarily accessible Read & Speak Arabic for Beginners entertains you while you learn, lessening the anxiety of a new script and increasing your desire to master Arabic. This program teaches you basic vocabulary and explains sentence structures for eight key areas of everyday life--introducing yourself, saying where you're from, asking what things are, asking where things are located, describing objects and people, asking how to get around, talking about your family, and describing what you do. The accompanying CD features all the key words and phrases so you can hear how they are pronounced and repeat them after the speaker. Inside you will find:

Genres: Language, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2004

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reviewing the 2nd edition.. I think this picture is of the first. My husband and I moved to Amman to study Arabic. We spent a whole lotta $$$ taking a fast-paced classical Arabic course at a top-rated school. Within three months, I went from knowing just about nothing at all (not even the alphabet) to reading long passages, reciting the Qur'an from its original, and writing basic sentences. However, I wasn't functional around Arabic-speakers. I could explain how to make wu'du in classical Arabic, but I couldn't understand others when they asked me where I'm from or what I want to eat or even what my name is. They couldn't understand most of what I tried to say, because I knew how to read the words, but not how to pronounce them. Hence, I seriously lost my motivation and stopped studying for a month or two.

This book, however, has me excited again. I already knew almost everything in it, somewhere in the recesses of my mind, but this book re-organized what I knew so I could actually use it and say it correctly. The lessons explain basic grammar concepts very efficiently and has (the most helpful part) pronunciations for each word on CD along with sample interactive conversations. The little exercises helped me feel more fluent with the words, and the conversations helped me recognize words being said (I knew "Anti min ayna?" means, "Where are you from?", but I could never understand when someone actually said this in real life).

If I came to this without knowing how to read Arabic, I would probably be too intimidated (although a courageous person can make it through without knowing the alphabet). Since I had previously seen many of the words, I made it through the book in two days (with a toddler in tow). If I hadn't, it would have taken perhaps a week or two and lots of vocab. review.

I looove Wightwick and Gaafar's approach, so now I'm diving into another one of their books, "Mastering Arabic 1" (with audio). Will review soon iA.

[Micah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-laid out and informative book; it's well-paced and easy to understand. Not much of a plot, but this is a common failing of language instruction books.

[Mark A.]

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[Medine Bilmez · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Jenn "JR" · Rating 3 out of 5]

This focuses on rote memorization of key words and phrases - I want to learn how the language works as I am using it. Your learning stile may vary.