The Arabic Learners' Society

loool!!! 2 guys from my class have gone on an arabic course this easter which specialises in 'al-kitaab' apparantely they're spending the whole time going through the book.

i feel sorry for them. they will hate it sooooo much when they get back!!!

Modern Standard Arabic for most of us, except Socrates who's learning Qu'ranic Arabic, I think (not sure at all)

that's right Anatheme

well, whatever Arabic this book teaches, in any case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arabic-Course-English-Speaking-Students/dp/1872531539/ref=pd_sim_b_1

The original books didn't even have anything not in Arabic, though now they come with a section at the back in English (or Bengali or Indonesian etc.) as an afterthought. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it because it's a good course that's quite uncommon in Western academia, though it's the standard course for Muslim groups and mosques etc.

Ah, my Russian book works the same, everything is in Russian, except maybe case nouns, and at the end you have a list of words translated in three different language. It sounds daunting at first, especially as Russian can look a bit barbaric, but it's probably the best book I have. Manchester wants to get rid of Al-Kitaab which is something amazing I must say because this book is the just the worst thing that could happen to an Arabic student

Oh dear...looks like I'll be having a fun time at uni...
Just out of interest, which Russian book is that? I have a selection of books I use, but I don't like any of them. Most are based around rather banal passages, often involving annoying Soviet bureaucrats and Russian train stations.

It's called Поехали! (Poekhali!), by Stanislav Chernyshov and it's probably the best book I ever had. Explanations are very very simplistic though, so it's better to have a good grammar book (Schaum's Outlines, Terence Wade and Derek Offord are great) next to you if you don't have a teacher. There are tons of exercises which make it great to learn grammar, however I think getting a vocabulary book (Schaum's Outlines once again) is a good idea because the book is not that consistent. I couldn't say if it's a good book for self studies, though, as I often feel like I'd be lost if I didn't have a teacher.

I hate Arabic. I just hate it. I can't stand it anymore, it messes up with me way too much. I'm not gonna try to attempt to learn it ever again, I will never ever succeed anyway . The grammar is interesting, but I can't speak, will never be able to do so, so why bother. I have a rather nice collection of Arabic books to be sold, if anyone wants them. I finish my year of Arabic at uni, and I give up, drop it and won't come back to it until I'm fluent in 17,000 other languages.

Oo what types of books? Could you list them? I'm a willing buyer... I've decided to just give it my all and continue. The thought of picking up Farsi next year is quite exciting, maybe you should try that Anatheme? It's of the Indo-European language family so the syntax and grammar will be much easier to handle.

Nice one. I've got 'Arabic for dummies' both the book and CD version, plus another one that I can't remember the title of right now...

I'm a complete non-Arabic speaker. I've spent some time in Egypt, so I've picked up a few words and phrases here and there, but nothing remotely impressive.

My interest in Arabic comes from wanting to learn more about the Arab mind, and culture. Also, my future is in the military, so that's another big reason for wanting to learn.

I'd like to nail the alphabet, and a few words and phrases before I start, but I'm afraid of getting into bad habits. I don't want to arrive a complete newbie however.

All tips gratefully received and much appreciated!

I had the same interests. Shame I'm crap at it.
Also, you will probably find it a bit frustrating at time, because the Arabic you'll learn at uni and the one spoken are really different. I shall let you discover about that by yourself, though

I gathered. I've heard where I'm heading, they teach both Modern Standard and 'amiya' (sp?) I think...

The second year is spent abroad in an Arabic speaking country, and I'm debating taking a year out to deploy at some point (unwise, but I've gotta do what I've gotta do!), so I'm hoping experience of 'proper' Arabic won't be a problem

I'm beginning to wonder what I'm getting myself in for

I'd say hell. It's an amazing language, though, if you love grammar (actually, I wish I could just learn the grammar and not the rest). I forgot Exeter had the year abroad during the 2nd year. I guess your first year will be even worse than mine, then, as there's sooo much stuff to learn! If you're doing plain Arabic, though, it should be fine as you won't have to make sure the other side of your course is going well.

I'll put the list of books I sell once I get replies from other unis and told my dad that (if) I stop it. I'm not sure I wanna study it anymore yet I can't make my mind up about whether to stop it or not. I'm weird.

Argh, dammit, I hate grammar Yep, just Arabic for me, I could only ever concentrate on one thing at a time lol.

Haha, sounds like the course is really messing with your head

Seriously, you hate grammar? Omg, that may not have been the best move you made, tbh . Anyway, I'm sure you have enough motivation, so it should be fine.