The first few chapters of our Syrian Colloquial Arabic course, including the accompanying introductory, writing practice, index and audio files, are available to download for free.

Click here to buy the complete book.

Downloading this book and audio material is the first step to mastering Arabic. Review our study tips section for more ideas.

Below is a content outline of our 450-page illustrated and fully indexed digital (PDF) textbook, accompanied by 180 minutes of authentic recorded conversations (MP3s). The free files are available to download in the right-hand column.

Cover and instructions for the classroom - free download
Title page and acknowledgments - free download Table of contents (68KB) - free download
Preface (16KB) - free download

Introduction to the writing system (1.5MB)
(MP3 soundtrack: Instructions and Introduction 8 MB) - free download

Chapter One (2.6MB) - free download
Conversation "Welcome to Damascus!"
(MP3 soundtrack: Chapter 1 5.5MB)
Function A: Meeting someone for the first time
Function B: Describing your country
Function C: Exchanging pleasantries
Function D: Counting and using numbers
Function E: Asking for and offering things
Function F: Telling the time
Reading and pronunciation

Chapter Two - buy complete course
Conversation "Turn the meter on please"
Function A: Locating places in Damascus
Function B: Catching a taxi
Function C: Expressing existence
Function D: Paying for the taxi
Function E: Expressing possession in the classroom
Reading and pronunciation

Chapter Three - buy complete course
Conversation "A room with a bath"
Function A: Expressing desire
Function B: Expressing ownership and availability
Function C: Talking about hotel facilities
Function D: Paying for accommodation
Function E: Counting floors of a building
Function F: Talking about your family
Reading and Pronunciation

Chapter Four - buy complete course
Conversation "We're very hungry!"
Function A: Counting things
Function B: Ordering at a restaurant
Function C: Expressing your feelings
Reading and Pronunciation

Chapter Five - buy complete course
Conversation "That's so expensive!"
Function A: Comparing things
Function B: Going to the shops
Function C: Shopping for food
Function D: Shopping for clothes
Function E: Describing people
Function F: Saying "no"
Reading and Pronunciation

Chapter Six - buy complete course
Conversation "When did you arrive?"
Function A: Talking about past events
Function B: Talking about past occupations
Function C: Talking about when you arrived
Function D: Talking about periods of time
Function E: Describing what have you bought and seen
Function F: Explaining where things have been put
Function G: Giving reasons and making up excuses
Reading practice

Chapter Seven - buy complete course
Conversation "What are you doing?"
Function A: Making suggestions
Function B: Talking about what you have to do
Function C: Making invitations
Function D: Talking about daily routines
Function E: Describing ongoing activities
Function F: Talking about hobbies
Reading practice

Chapter Eight - buy complete course
Conversation "What shall we do on the holiday?"
Function A: Talking about future arrangements
Function B: Around the house
Function C: Giving orders around the house
Function D: Asking someone to do something for you
Function E: Explaining what's wrong with you
Function F: Hiring a car
Function G: Hopes, advice and speculating about the future
Function H: Wondering, wishing and past possibilities
Reading practice

Appendix
Answer key to excerices and scripts of recorded conversations (if you do not wish your students to have access to this, ask them to buy the STUDENT VERSION) - buy complete course
Index (English and Arabic) - buy complete course

Writing practice materials (including labels for you own dictionary) - free download

All care has gone in to producing this material.

Despite our efforts, some diligent readers have discovered one or two mistakes/typos, for which we thank them.

So, please note that in the Answers section on page 380, Chapter 3, Function D, Exercise 5, the answer for B should be 1967 (in Arabic 197V) but it reads 1976 (in Arabic 19V7) and Answer C should read 1986 (in Arabic 19/\7) but it repeats B's answer of 1976 (In Arabic 19V7).

If you are planning to visit the Middle East without learning any Arabic, we suggest you learn at least a few basics such as 'hello', 'please' and 'thank you' as a courtesy ('where is the toilet?' is another goodie). It will make your visit much more rewarding.

No! Syrian Arabic is similar to that spoken in other parts of the Middle East including Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.

We have had positive feedback from many who have used our material to study in these countries and at a few people have found it useful in Iraq