best way to learn arabic

[doodlebug 3]

I feel so bad that Usama's english is just about perfect, except for the spelling, and I know very very little Arabic.

I bought that colloquial Egyptian book but that really didn't motivate me and the way it was laid out wasn't real condusive to my learning anything.

I'm looking for a course that has cd's that will teach me how to write and read and speak the language. Anyone have any good recommendations? The University I work at does offer a course in the summer that I could take but it's offered only during the weekdays from 9am to 11:30am and that just won't work.

[ya falaha! 0]

Berlitz has Arabic language courses. They have locations all over the US...there's a location in the building next to ours at work. I may look into it myself.

[mybackpages 0]

I swear by the rosetta stone language series!

I feel so bad that Usama's english is just about perfect, except for the spelling, and I know very very little Arabic.

I bought that colloquial Egyptian book but that really didn't motivate me and the way it was laid out wasn't real condusive to my learning anything.

I'm looking for a course that has cd's that will teach me how to write and read and speak the language. Anyone have any good recommendations? The University I work at does offer a course in the summer that I could take but it's offered only during the weekdays from 9am to 11:30am and that just won't work.

[Henia 11]

Moody and Mybackpages are both right. I actually have the Rosetta Stone series for arabic as well as other languages... but the best way to learn is of living amoung native speakers.

[Marry American 0]

Moody and Mybackpages are both right. I actually have the Rosetta Stone series for arabic as well as other languages... but the best way to learn is of living amoung native speakers.

I bought the Rosetta Stone series tolearn Chinese. I returned it. I did not find it useful. The library offers tape series in most languages you want to learn. Plus it is free.

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

I have only heard great things about the Rosetta Stone language programs. I wanted the Arabic set for christmas, but I didn't get it yet. I think I will buy it for myself.

[Heartland 0]

When I was in Highschool I wanted to learn German because my family is part Austrian. I tried and tried to get it. My teacher seeing how hard I tried told me, "Wendy, if you promice not to take german 2. I will pass you! " LOL!!! My daughters picked up on the arabic when we lived in Jordan. I on the other hand.... get things confused, I call my sister in law Allah, her name sounds like it I cant hear the differernce. They are super sweet and just laugh....

What would be good for me to learn the language as I said I am HORRIBLE!!! I do wish to try however!!!

Wendy

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I on the other hand.... get things confused, I call my sister in law Allah, her name sounds like it I cant hear the differernce. They are super sweet and just laugh....

What would be good for me to learn the language as I said I am HORRIBLE!!! I do wish to try however!!!

Wendy

Is her name Ala'a ?? (Some people might write it Ala2a.) I have a family member with that name -- it's pretty.

[melly 0]

My fiance's sister's name is Alyaa. Or that's how he spells it anyways. I still mispronouce it every now and then. Though I've never called her Allah. I'm not exactly sure how to spell her name so that you could pronounce it right.

[Heartland 0]

Not sure how to say it or spell it I guess.....lol when DH says it to me it sounds like allah-ah my girls can say it and try to get me to say it over and over and over till I am blue in the face.

My fiance's sister's name is Alyaa. Or that's how he spells it anyways. I still mispronouce it every now and then. Though I've never called her Allah. I'm not exactly sure how to spell her name so that you could pronounce it right.

[crazyinEgypt 0]

I've tried finding classes in my area, but the only classes I could find were in classic arabic, which Egyptians do not speak. I tried learning arabic while in Egypt, but my tongue and throat just cannot do it! My husband laughs at me because when I have a bad headcold he says I pronounce arabic words much better! I so glad he'll be able to teach our kids arabic.

[~Jess~ 0]

I've tried finding classes in my area, but the only classes I could find were in classic arabic, which Egyptians do not speak. I tried learning arabic while in Egypt, but my tongue and throat just cannot do it! My husband laughs at me because when I have a bad headcold he says I pronounce arabic words much better! I so glad he'll be able to teach our kids arabic.

LOL Geo says the same thing about me when im sick with a cold!!! other then that i cant pronounce a lot of the sounds. some i got down but others i cantttttt do no matter how hard i try. when im in lebanon i feel crappy cause even the phillipenas that work for the family can speak and understand all of it.....................maybe some day!

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Not sure how to say it or spell it I guess.....lol when DH says it to me it sounds like allah-ah my girls can say it and try to get me to say it over and over and over till I am blue in the face.

Yes !! That's the same name -- the one in my family spells it "Ala'a" when writing in these letters.

That "glottal stop" can take some practice if you're not used to it -- but English Cockneys use them the time. Don't give up.... I'm sure you'll get it....

-MK

[kerewin21 2]

I swear by Pimsleur audio series. It won't help you read, but it will help you speak. Unfortunately it's aimed towards business people, so some of the stuff they teach isn't quite what you might like. You ought to be able to get it from your library.

Is Rosetta Stone really worth the money??? I am skeptical....

Sharon

[~Jackie~ 30]

I've given up on learning Arabic. I doubt we will ever live in Jordan and Mohammed is fluent in English.

Jackie