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Arabic course contents and free downloads

The first three chapters of our Syrian Colloquial Arabic course, including the accompanying introductory, writing practice, index and audio files, are available to download for free. The full book can be purchased in digital pdf format (with accompanying mp3 audio files) through the online shop section of the site.

Discounts are available for bulk orders of 10 copies or more. Please email us to arrange your discount before you go to our online shop.

Downloading this book and audio material is the first step to mastering Arabic. Review our study tips section for more ideas. If you are planning to visit the Middle East without learning any Arabic, may 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 is likely to make your visit much more rewarding. Flick through the first three chapters of our course and take what you need with you (the full course includes a very handy index, which you can use as a dictionary). Syrian Arabic is very similar to the Arabics spoken in Jordan and Lebanon.

Currently, a printed version of the book is not available for order. If you would like a hard copy, we suggest you either print the material out yourself, then bind it or put it in a folder, or ask one of the many photocopy/binding shops available to do it for you for a small fee. We find that a large spiral bound format is the most comfortable for this size of book. (If you do, we would be grateful if you remind your photocopy service provider that this work is copyrighted and that they should not make more than the copy you have ordered.)

Errata - 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).

Cover and instructions for the classroom (104KB) (MP3 soundtrack: Instructions and introduction 8 MB)
Title page and acknowledgements (24KB)
Table of contents (68KB)
Preface (16KB)

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

NEW! Reading practice - try out your Arabic reading skills on these local Syrian signs.

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 (3.7MB) - free download

Conversation "Turn the meter on please" (MP3 soundtrack: Chapter 2 5.4MB)
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 (2.9MB) - free download

Conversation "A room with a bath" (MP3 soundtrack: Chapter 3 7.5MB)
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 (order online)

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 (order online)

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 (order online)

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 (order online)

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 (order online)

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

Answers to excerices and scripts of recorded conversations (1.1MB)
Index (English and Arabic) (744MB)

Writing practice materials (including labels for you own dictionary) (1.6MB)

 

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