Build Your Arabic Vocabulary (Book CD & Flashcards) (Book CD & Flashcards)

This book is good if you are using other materials to learn Arabic with at the same time as it really only teaches you vocabulary. I would choose another option, such as the "Mastering Arabic" series, if you want a book that will teach you Arabic more comprehensively.

There is a lot of vocabulary in this book but the flash cards only have English on one side and Arabic on the other when other products, such as "101 Word Audio Pack: Arabic" also have transliteration on the Arabic side of the flash card. The "101" book has large flash cards that are clear and can be torn out of the back of the book. The flash cards in this book are tiny so you need to be careful with them and you have to painstakingly cut them out. I like to carry a bundle of flash cards with me everywhere I go and I find these tricky to hang on to when I'm negotiating public transport because they are so small. They are printed on thick grey paper which is not the clearest to read from.

The speaker on the audio recording reels off the vocabulary list with little opportunity for the learner to practice. I found the exercises in the book were not that great as I have seen better exercises in other books.

The learner should have a basic understanding of Arabic in order to enjoy this book.

This is a very handy book for anyone wishing to get started on basic Modern Standard Arabic. The book can be used by complete beginners, since, though it includes Arabic script, it also includes romanisation of all the vocabulary items. There is also a fantastic CD which includes every word in the book pronounced in clear Arabic, with a slight pause for you to repeat.

This is all very good, but this book could have been made truly great by simply extending its scope. Instead of concentrating on a larger and more diverse range of words, the author has wasted space with crosswords and flashcards (none of which I have used). Also, given the limitations that the book imposes on itslef, I disagree with some of the vocabulary included. For example, we are given the Arabic word for mumps, but not for dog.

Despite these minor faults, however, I have made considerable use of this book and highly recommend it. It's just a shame that the scope of the book is not as broad as it could have been

This is an excellent book for expanding your vocabulary in conjunction with a course or more structured book. It covers the words found in many common settings and subjects. A superb book that I cannot recommend too highly for those looking to get a broader understanding of the language and build a useful every-day vocabulary.

I can only echo the other reviewer on this book; this amazing book has really got me into the Arabic language.

Fantastically easy to digest, a great range of useful words, and the flash cards are, as promised, very helpful.

Highly recommended to anyone; I eagerly await more releases from this author!

Written by a consummate professional, this book is the best vocabulary primer I have come across for this, the trickiest of languages. The promised bilingual flashcards exceed every expectation and both the choice of vocabulary and its presentation throughout the book are always appropriate and helpful. With its natty green cover and charming dedication, this work should find its way inside every serious student's bookstrap.