Ahlan beekum! I recently finished learning how to read and write the arabic alphabet. I would like to know what you think is the best way to take advantage of this skill in furthering one's arabic comprehension.

Asalamu 3alaykum Ben D1! As I searched the internet looking for ways to learn Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, I came across something called a 'language board'. On this board, you can find someone who speaks Arabic fluently, and you can create a 'pen pal' (for lack of a better word), with which you can have electronic or voice over IP conversations. Most people you find on the boards are also trying to learn a second language, and many of them wish to learn English (American or the Queen's). You can help them improve their English language skills as you improve your Arabic. If I remember correctly, there was no cost associated with the website, so that makes it that much better. Hope this helps. Ma3a Salaama!

Another thing that's helped me is going to the bbc news site and trying to read some of the arabic news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/ مع سلامة (ma3a salaama)

In my humble opinion, there is one thing to do which is essential, after having learned the alphabet (which by the way is not an easy thing to do): you have to start studying vocabulary. Do it with discipline and motivation, study a lot. Learn some grammar as well of course, and get used to the sound of the language by listening to the news in Arabic (BBC news in Arabic is indeed a great source). But above all, learn some basic vocabulary. That will give you a decent foundation and you can then further develop your language skills.

With the Middle East immersed in our daily news these days, Arabic is an exciting language to study.  I am totally in love with studying Arabic.  I'm now in my seventh year of studying FuS7a.  This is my first endeavor in studying Egyptian Ameeya.
 

I had always learned that " قهوة " was pronounced "qahwa", not "ahwa". Why is the "q" ق sound or "qow" silent like the "k" in "knife" in this course?

The q should be pronounced to the best of my knowledge.

Hello Makram,
Congratulations on finishing the Arabic Alphabet!! That's a significant step!
The best way to proceed is to mingle with Egyptian Arabic speaking friends. Practice is always the best method of learning a language along with proceeding with the topics offered on our website. Learning vocabulary and grammar are the basics of learning any language.
I highly recommend watching old Egyptian movies to get more familiar with Egyptian aameyya. Watching Arabic news is useful if somebody is learning formal Arabic (Fos7a)
Wish you all the best!
Salaam

Hello William.
You're right. When it comes to formal Arabic (Fos7a), the" ق" is pronounced as "q" but Egyptian Arabic simply replaces the "q" with an "a"
Examples are:
قهوة = coffee - Formal Arabic: Qahwa - Egyptian Arabic: Ahwa
قميص= shirt - Formal Arabic: Qamees - Egyptian Arabic: Amees
قمر = moon - Formal Arabic: Qamar - Egyptian Arabic: Amar
قلم= pen - Formal Arabic: Qalam - Egyptian Arabic: Alam
and so on.
Hope you got it now. Best wishes :)
Salaam

In that case I created for my self-studies a blog and then everything I've found I blog there... anywhere anytime I can read my studies, radio, tv, news etc...
but it is in portuguese x arabic if you want to have a look on it pls be my guest :D

www.arabeegipcio.com

cheers

Good Job! Good luck with that crisfreitas :)

merci gedan eiman-k-elmasry