Teach Yourself Gulf Arabic Complete Course

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.

Very helpful and in depth for learning spoken gulf Arabic!

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.

I began "Teach Yourself Gulf Arabic" (or "TYGA" for short from here on) a few days before boarding the plane to Riyadh in early May 2012. I had been hired by an educational company to teach English in the capital city on a one-year contract and figured it would be an ideal time to learn Arabic.From my experience the past 3 months speaking with and listening to Arabs from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, and Sudan, I would conclude that "TYGA" is an excellent course. If you'll be in Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea, or the Gulf, then this is the course for you.Time after time I was impressed with how useful "TYGA" was in my daily conversations in the Saudi capital. Several times I would listen to speakers and hear them use the exact vocabulary, expression, or phrase that I had covered in one of the book's 14 units. Or I would find myself using vocabulary or phrases and forming sentences based on models from the exercises and the dialogues -- and I would be understood! It was a great feeling that encouraged me to continue studying.I took the authors' advice and worked steadily through the book, neither rushing nor procrastinating. I revised more difficult points as needed, completing some chapters in about a week and others in about 10 days. On average I devoted a half hour each working day and an hour each day over the weekend to language study. I listened to the audio, spoke aloud when prompted, and kept to the program as specified.I availed myself of nearly every opportunity to speak and listen to even a little Arabic: in the taxi, the bus, the bus station, restaurants, among Arab staff at work and in malls, and finally on satellite television. Without understanding much of what was said, it amazed me how such exposure improved my ear and my tongue. But my motivation was encouraged by having such a well-conceived course as "TYGA".The book itself provides a superior mixture of speaking and listening practice. It includes situations that you might encounter yet also devises these situations and the exercises for them such that your mind is pushed to think beyond the situation and to how you can/could/will/shall/might/must use the target language in other realms. Particular language items are skilfully reprised in later units in such a way that they reinforce earlier units yet also link well with new language skills. Just enough grammar and vocabulary is presented in each chapter to challenge the student to learn rather than despair, and it's language which you can use and which you will hear. Moreover, the grammar explanations are clear and succinct. For example, the 6-page section on Arabic verbs near the end of the book is the best introduction on the topic that I've ever seen, and it has made recognizing, learning, and using verb forms much easier.Although focused on listening and speaking, the course also provides a gradual and complete introduction to the written script, with 2-3 letters each chapter plus examples of their use in the course's vocabulary. Each chapter also includes pictures (actual photos) of signs, menus, and other realia in Arabic script to reinforce recently acquired vocabulary and script.Using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, I estimate that I've fulfilled A1 and A2 (the Basic Speaker Breakthrough and Waystage) and I've begun B1 (the Independent Speaker Threshold). At this point I have a sound basic knowledge of the language's structure; the tools to critically analyze my strengths and weaknesses in the language; and the habit to acquire new vocabulary and grammar as well as to improve my pronunciation and listening. Not bad for 3 months' modest effort.In practical terms I've been able to take a bus trip to Dammam among local folks rather than remain cloistered among expatriates; order meals, arrange pickups and dropoffs, and redirect lost and bewildered non-Arab acquaintances who called me to explain to their drivers where to go; express condolences and give modest advice to students in their own language; and better understand people's thoughts, beliefs, hopes, and dreams on their own terms rather than conveniently filtered and often misunderstood through my own language.In conclusion, I believe that "TYGA" is the gold standard for learning the spoken Arabic of this region. It's affordable, convenient, and practical, and it will reward the student of the Arabic language handsomely. I recommend it without hesitation or reservation.