Your Arabic Teacher & Language Buddy
Hi! I’m Ahmed, an Arabic teacher on Italki with a deep love for languages and storytelling. A few years ago, I left my job at a multinational insurance company to follow my passion for film and language teaching. Since then, I’ve been teaching Arabic full-time for over five years while also pursuing a master’s degree in visual anthropology in Germany.
I've had the privilege of working with around 1,000 students from all over the world, and it’s been an incredible journey. I’m truly grateful to be considered one of the top teachers on Italki—something I couldn’t have achieved without my amazing students.
With my French-Egyptian student Line at the Citadel of Salah El-Din
Why This Course?
How It All Started
Over the past five years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of teaching Arabic to students from all over the world. What started as a side passion slowly evolved into my full-time career. At the time, I was working at a multinational insurance company—a stable job by most standards—but deep down, I felt unfulfilled. I wanted more from life than meetings and spreadsheets. I wanted connection, creativity, culture.
So I made what many considered a risky decision: I left the corporate world to teach Arabic online full-time. It wasn’t easy, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Through platforms like Italki and Preply, I’ve taught nearly 1,000 students from more than 50 countries, helping them not just learn Arabic, but live it.
Teaching Arabic has allowed me to build relationships with people from all walks of life. Many of my students have become friends. More than 50 of them have visited Egypt, and I’ve had the joy of welcoming them here—showing them around Cairo, eating koshary together, visiting the pyramids, and even helping them haggle in Arabic at local markets.
These real-life experiences were a turning point for me. I realized that Arabic isn’t just a language people want to study—it’s a language people want to feel and live. That’s where the idea for this course was born.
Here with my Swedish-Egyptian student Malin at the beautiful Aisha Fahmi Palace in Zamalek.
A Course Inspired by Real Conversations
This course wasn’t created in a vacuum or based solely on textbooks. It was born from real stories, real people, and real conversations I’ve had with my students over the years.
Every lesson in this course reflects an actual need or situation my students faced—like buying a SIM card at Cairo Airport, checking into a hotel in Zamalek, asking for directions to the Egyptian Museum, or ordering koshary at a downtown street food spot. These weren’t hypothetical examples — they were real-life moments where students needed help navigating life in Egypt. Over time, I started collecting these moments, writing down the conversations we practiced, the vocabulary that helped them most, and the cultural insights that made all the difference.
Eventually, I realized I had something valuable—something far more useful than a traditional classroom curriculum. That’s when I decided to build this course: a complete, immersive, and practical guide to speaking Egyptian Arabic as it’s actually spoken every day.
A Journey of Arabic and Brotherhood
At the Museum of Civilization with my dear brother Abdel Aziz, who’s been studying Arabic with me for four years. A true brother for life.
Lunch at a Cairo Classic
Having lunch with Lily and Anna in Zamalek at Abu El Seed — a must-visit spot in Cairo for anyone craving authentic Egyptian flavors and old-world charm.
Street Portraits in Historic Cairo
I got to put my photography skills to use while showing Gabby around Cairo. This shot was taken on a lively evening walk through Moez Street — one of the city’s most magical and historic spots.
What You’ll Find Inside
"100 Egyptian Arabic Conversations: Speak Like an Egyptian" is not your typical language course. It’s designed to bring you as close as possible to real-life Arabic—without having to hop on a plane (though I hope you do one day!).
Here’s what’s included:
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100 Everyday Conversations
Covering everything from food and transport to social life, meeting new people, shopping, health, and more. These aren’t staged textbook dialogues, they’re grounded in the everyday life of Egyptians. -
Three Formats for Each Conversation
Every dialogue is presented in: - Arabic script (for those learning to read)
- Franco Arabic (for those who prefer Latin letters)
- English translation (for clarity and ease)
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Audio Recordings by Native Speakers
Every conversation is voiced by native Egyptian Arabic speakers, so you can practice listening and pronunciation in an authentic way. -
Key Vocabulary Lists
Each conversation comes with a curated list of essential words and expressions to help you build your working vocabulary quickly and naturally. -
Cultural Notes and Tips
Learn the why behind the words—cultural insights that explain local customs, etiquette, humor, and unspoken rules.
Grilled Goodness at Qasr El Kababgi
Feasting on some legendary Egyptian grilled meats and molokhia at the iconic Qasr El Kababgi with my very dear Egyptian-Irish brother Kareem.
Tea Time in Downtown Cairo
Having some tea with Victoria at a local ahwa in Downtown Cairo. Nothing beats good company, street-side vibes, and a classic Egyptian tea to wind down the day .
Book Browsing at Diwan Bookstore
Hanging out with Nelson at one of my favorite bookstores in Cairo, Diwan Bookstore. We spent the evening browsing the shelves, geeking out over Arabic literature.
Who This Course Is For
This course is perfect for:
- Travelers planning to visit Egypt who want to communicate confidently.
- Students of Arabic who feel stuck in textbook MSA and want to experience the real spoken dialect.
- Expats, digital nomads, and remote workers living in Egypt or planning to relocate.
- Language lovers who want to explore one of the most vibrant, musical dialects in the Arab world.
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And anyone who believes that language learning should be joyful, practical, and deeply human.
Saying goodbye to Egypt at the Greek Club
One last evening with Gina and Shao before Gina leaves the country. So many good memories packed into these moments: conversations, laughter, and lifelong friendships that go beyond borders and time. Grateful for it all!
Enjoying a delicious Egyptian breakfast at Zooba in Zamalek.
These two wonderful ladies spent two years learning Arabic with me before making their dream trip to Egypt. Pat came from the U.S., and Karen from Canada—such an unforgettable week with unforgettable students!
What better way to kick off the Egyptian adventure than with a plate of koshary?
This was just one hour after I picked up my dear students Matthew and Douglas from the airport. Both have been learning with me for years and came all the way from Ohio. It was their first trip to Egypt—and definitely not the last!
A Personal Note
This course means a lot to me. It’s the result of years of teaching, traveling, listening, and learning—both from my students and from the streets of Egypt. I didn’t create it to “scale a business” or go viral. I created it because I love Arabic. I love teaching it. And I love seeing people light up when they start to speak it with confidence.
If you’re looking for a course that gives you real tools for real conversations in the Egyptian dialect, you’re in the right place. I hope it helps you fall in love with Arabic the same way I did—and brings you closer to the people, stories, and culture of Egypt.
Let’s get started.