I would like to learn Arabic

Dear Betsy, I AM_fairly new to Bahrain from the UK and would like to make an attempt to learn some Arabic to help me in my everyday life at work, socially and when shopping.

Can you recommend a good place for ladies who want to study it?

Margie.

Dear Margie,

THERE_are many private language schools that offer Arabic language lessons for beginners, but not many that offer specific courses for ladies.

Discover Islam do have ladies only classes and Berlitz can offer group or private lessons that may also suit you.

I applaud you for trying to learn Arabic, as lots of expats live here for years and never manage more than a few words.

We are fortunate that most Bahrainis speak English but unfortunate in that this means we are not really forced to learn Arabic, which is a great shame.

The real key to immersing yourself in another culture is to learn the language and the secret is to do this as soon as you arrive or it just won't happen!

I know expats who were born here, still live and work here as adults and don't speak any Arabic ... what a wasted opportunity, as linguistic skills are gaining ever greater importance in our global world.

I can also recommend that you buy yourself a small pocket book called Gulf Spoken Arabic, available from Al Hilal Bookshops for around a dinar.

This small book has very useful everyday words and phrases and is written in phonetic English so that it is easy for you to understand.

I bought this book when I first arrived in Bahrain many, many, many years ago and it was invaluable when I was shopping in the central market and Bab al Bahrain Souk and negotiating with taxi drivers.

Try to learn two or three new words a day and use them as often as you can even if it is only the days of the week, numbers, colours, foodstuffs etc and the important everyday greetings and their responses, such as "Salam Alaikum" (peace on you) which can be said to anyone when you enter a room/shop/office etc and the response is "Alaikum ASalam" (and peace be upon you) or "Shloanak" (how are you? Or literally "how is your colour?) for a man and "Shlonach" when addressing a lady.

I am not a qualified Arabic teacher so that is all from me! Good luck and if you have kids then try to include them in your language lessons as they are like little sponges, just soaking up information and it is so much easier to learn a language when we are young.

Dear Betsy,

I AM_an avid reader of GulfWeekly and always look forward to your suggestions and helpful advice.

I read an article where you recommended Jane Iredale products and would like to know whether it is available on the island and if so, could you please tell me where I can get them.

I would also like to know how to get in touch with Visual Image, which I have read is a professional grooming school for women covering basics on how to wear make up.

Yours faithfully,

Make up dummy

Dear Make Up Dummy,

Thank you for being a dedicated GulfWeekly reader! You can find Jane Iredale Mineral Make Up in Bahrain by calling 39613739 for stockist details.

If you want to get some different make up tips then you can always visit Debenhams, Al Hawaj and Faces, where they have Make Up Artists who will give you a makeover and recommend which of their products are best for you and how to apply them to suit your features and colouring.

The last number I had for Visual Image no longer exists according to the recorded message I received when I dialled it- can any reader help?

BETSY SAYS RELAX...

MIX_up a health-boosting drink. Try carrot, red capsicum and crushed fresh ginger root to set your senses on fire, or mango, pineapple and blueberries for an anti-ageing cocktail.

Get the children off those fizzy colas and replace with a kiddie cocktail of green apple and fresh orange juice.

If you only do one thing

Visit the Press Photographers photo exhibition in the Seef Mall and marvel at the thought-provoking real life images from around the globe.