Egyptian Arabic Learning Apps I’ve been using (in clockwise order) note: ALL ARE FREE, on the Google Play Store (android), and suitable for beginners in the language
1. Egyptian Basic Phrases: it has a simple black interface of vocabulary/phrasebook-style lists that are methodically divided into sections eg. Fuel and Maintenance (shown above). Great for: finding vocabulary/set phrases, pronunciation (audio is provided) Lacks in: methods of teaching the vocabulary since it functions as a phrasebook
2. Egyptian Arabic Lingocards: a more gamified approach to learning vocabulary that requires you to level up before you gain access to the next vocabulary set. FYI: you can set the app to teach you from whatever language you want (I picked French as my native language to practice both languages at the same time) Great for: visual learners, acquiring a basic arsenal of vocabulary Lacks in: refreshing previous words (you will have to return to previous lists yourself), pronunciation (CAUTION: the pronunciation is both incorrect and robotic so try not to pick it up)
3. Egyptian Arabic Dictionary: this is the app that corresponds to lisaanmasry.com (a site I’m sure you’ve come across as an EA learner); it allows you to search from either language, and also gives access to a thesaurus, AND (the best part) you can add vocabulary to a set of flashcards to return to and learn Great in: PRONUNCIATION (as opposed to..ahem..the one that was just named), ease, understanding (words are presented in IPA, arabic script, and romanized transliteration), and even basic grammar! Lacks in: some Egyptian words [?] (the app shows MSA as well and I don’t know if when an Egyptian translation for a word is not given, then you should assume that the MSA and EA are the same),
4. Mango Languages: probably my favorite of the bunch, pretty much teaches you through conversation (made by two mangoes ^·^). The words are color coded (shown above) and the “virtual teacher” challenges you to form certain phrases based on words you have recently been to exposed to…because of this you learn more as you would being immersed into the language and LESS as you would memorizing grammar rules from a textbook Great for: learning through repetition (it even tests you on words you’ve seen lessons before), getting the classroom-learning feel without going to classes, getting comfortable in your speaking skills (I HIGHLY suggest that you say each word/phrase aloud with every answer you give) Lacks in: writing skills (the emphasis is on speaking….listening and reading skills are interspersed throughout here and there)
