Learn Egyptian Arabic with The Pimsleur Method

Comments about Arabic (Egy) Phase 1, Units 1-30:

It works when I talk to my Egyptian colleague, who was so impressed: "You are the first foreigner that I know who speaks Egyptian Arabic."
I strongly demand Phase 2, 3...

Comments about Arabic (Egyptian), Comprehensive:

I have tried a number of programs and books for learning Egyptian Arabic (this, after all, is the version spoken in the largest Arab country, and because of Egypt's cultural influence, possibly the most widely understood in the Arab world). The Pimsleur complete course (Levels I-III) takes you to a level in which you can be comfortable doing the usual things of life -- asking for directions, ordering in a restaurant, etc. The 16 hours of speech in the course are invaluable in honing your pronunciation. I strongly recommend this course, and would urge Pimsleur to add another level or two to it.

Comments about Arabic (Egyptian), Comprehensive:

...do not buy this product. However, you only need to spend approx. half an hour learning every day. Everybody can MAKE this time.
The course is designed in a spiral fashion: Words are repeated at regular (?) intervals so that you won't forget them.
It is NOT suitable for people who need to see everything written down. The way I bridge this gap is by noting down the words the way I hear them (regardless of their correct spelling) and noting down the respective translation. Of course, this means you have to devote more than 30 mins. time.
Please also bear in mind that the Cairene (Egyptian Arabic) "dialect" - I would call it a language - is the most suitable: As the film industry is located in Cairo all people in the Arab world will understand this dialect! This is not the case with any other "type" of Arabic.

Comments about Arabic (Egy) Phase 1, Units 1-30:

I studied Arabic at private language schools in Cairo and Alexandria for a semester (6 mos.) more than two years ago and used Pimsleur Egyptian Arabic in addition to the coursebooks used in my classes. I absolutely loved the audio program and I was surprised to find out that several of my classmates (some Europeans, some Americans and one Canadian gal) had already been using the program even before I found out about the Pimsleur method. Personally, my biggest and perhaps the only real complaint is that Pimsleur should have more advanced levels for Egyptian Arabic.

Comments about Arabic (Egyptian), Comprehensive:

I like the conversationalist approach. I typically spend a half hour or so most days, and am on Leson 14 out of 30. I'll have to repeat that one again. Conservation items are a little too close together. I would appreciate an introduction to grammar, especially since the conversation bits cycle through masculine-feminine-future/intent, etc. You need to provide a dictionary to go along with the conversations.