Arabic (Modern Standard) Level 1 Lessons 1-5

Learn to Speak and Understand Modern Standard Arabic with Pimsleur Language Programs

By: Pimsleur

Narrated by: Pimsleur

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Modern Standard Arabic, or MSA, is the standard, formal, written form that is used and understood throughout the Arab world. While primarily written, MSA is also spoken in highly formal situations, in higher education, in sermons, and in the courts of law.

The Pimsleur® Method: the easiest, fastest way to learn a new language. Completely portable, easily downloadable, and lots of fun. You’ll be speaking and understanding in no time flat! Each lesson of Modern Standard Arabic Phase 1, Unit 01-05 provides 30 minutes of spoken language practice, with an introductory conversation and new vocabulary and structures. Detailed instructions enable you to understand and participate in the conversation. Each lesson contains practice for vocabulary introduced in previous lessons.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Simon & Schuster (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Pimsleur programs provide plenty of positive reinforcement that will keep learners on track, and we found that Pimsleur gave us more proficiency and confidence in speaking the new language than any of the other language programs we reviewed." ( AudioFile magazine)

Extremely Helpful

this book is very well organized. I feel that I have a good start on the language.

Effective way to learn Arabic

Any additional comments?

This approach for learning a language is very effective. There is lots of repetition, help with pronunciation, and practical, daily uses of the language. I take a weekly in-person Arabic class, which has me focused on grammar rules and which makes me unable to produce the language due to the complexity of the grammar rules, This audio book has enabled me to actually produce the spoken language. If you are a stickler for grammar details, using just this audio book might stress you out since you might not understand some of the finer details. But if you are willing to learn the grammar a bit organically (or if you pair the book with a class as I do), you'll do great. I highly recommend it.

Pimsleur is Effective & Easy

It works like a million bucks.
Try it and you will see.
You will see results in the first three days.

Effective way to learn a difficult language

Does a good job of stepping through basics of conversational arabic, including a useful application of certain basics of grammar.

Good learning method for my style of learning

I went through the first 20 lessons of the Pimsleur method and for my learning style this is the best approach.
During the day I randomly recall words and sentences that I have learned days before.
In my learning style I don't need to read or write, as I memorize mostly by listening.

I read the review of other readers and I guess it's a learning style preference.... some love it, some hate it.
But there is this one reviewer saying that the book wastes time on specifying the way how words change according to their gender. He probably speaks English as first language and does not understand the importance of words gender in other languages such as Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German etc... I guess he's still stuck at English as his only spoken language. It's not about Pimsleur method... he won't be able to learn any other language in any other way.

great program

directions part was the most difficult but let's be honest MSA is a difficult language.

Great way to practice the Arabic you've learned

What made the experience of listening to Arabic (Modern Standard) Level 1 Lessons 1-5 the most enjoyable?

The hardest part about learning Arabic has been recalling the things I've learned quickly when on the spot. To know words and phrases is nice, but very different than being able to recall them in Arabic conversation situations. The best thing about this approach is that is forces you to quickly recall the things you've learned while giving you beneficial vocabulary and phrases that build by repetition. It would be useful without prior exposure to grammar but if you study grammar outside of this program it will really help you recognize and reinforce your grammar and verb understanding. You won't learn every word you'll ever need to know but you will know the words and phrases you've learned on this program very well, as well as be able to use parts of this to form your own conversation with the vocabulary you've learned outside of this program. In a short time it has already helped my brain respond quicker and without the "deer in the headlights" look on my face that I often have when addressed in Arabic. ;) It's like having someone to converse with in Arabic who will correct your mistakes and is amply patient.

A good beginning in Arabic!

The repetition is most helpful ad breaking down of words into syllables for pronunciation is most helpful.

Useful and Easy to Learn

I don't have much time working an average of 10 hours a day and a bit on the weekend. This course is suitable to learn for at least 30min each day especially while stuck in traffic for more than an hour.

I find that repeating a unit once il really does wonders. Next day your memory is great.

Good job to the educators

Great introduction to MSA, but hope they had more

Narrarator was clear and subject matter covered was clear and basic, great for an introduction to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
One down side is that they don't repeat the phrases more than 1.5 times in MSA. But the integration of concepts is natural and helps me recall words from earlier units!