Private executive Arabic coaching

Arabic for those who lead in the Gulf.

One-to-one coaching for CEOs and senior leaders preparing to live and work in the Gulf. Twelve focused sessions with Shafqat Bashir — enough to understand, and to be understood.

12
Private sessions
1:1
Always, never a class
EN ⇄ AR
Taught both ways
Shafqat Bashir, Arabic coach
Shafqat Bashir
Your Arabic coach
The positioning

This is not a language class. It is a private engagement for leaders who need to walk into a Gulf boardroom — already understood.

Shafqat Bashir
The coach

Syed Shafqat Bashir

Before he taught a single lesson, Shafqat Bashir spent over a decade living and working across the Gulf. A commerce graduate of the University of Karachi, he built his career in the region — years with Coca-Cola in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, then as an Operations Manager at Standard Chartered Bank.

That is the difference. He has sat in the meetings, navigated the culture, and done business in Arabic-speaking environments himself. Since 2012 he has taught Arabic full time, one to one — taking complete beginners and non-native speakers to real spoken confidence for work, business and travel.

His method is built on Modern Standard Arabic with a strong emphasis on practical, spoken Arabic. No grammar overload — real conversations, everyday vocabulary, and step-by-step speaking practice that moves you from beginner to holding your own. Today he teaches students worldwide, one to one, over Zoom.

Spoken Arabic Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) Arabic for Gulf work & business One-to-one on Zoom Conversation-based Beginner to confident

“My goal is to make Arabic simple, practical, and enjoyable. With the right guidance and consistent practice, anyone can learn to speak Arabic with confidence.”

Syed Shafqat Bashir
Background
1997–2004
Coca-Cola Bottling Company — Saudi Arabia
2004–2006
Coca-Cola — United Arab Emirates
2006–2012
Operations Manager — Standard Chartered Bank
2012–now
Arabic coach — one to one, online worldwide
Who it's for

Built for the people at the top.

If Arabic is about to matter to your work in the Gulf, this is for you. If it isn't yet, it will be.

CEOs & founders

Leading a business with interests across the Gulf.

Senior managers

Directors and VPs posted to a GCC office.

Relocating professionals

Moving to the Gulf and wanting to arrive ready.

GCC dealmakers

Doing business across the region, often.

The outcome

What you'll actually be able to do.

01

Understand what's being said around you.

02

Hold a real conversation — not just greetings.

03

Make yourself understood, with confidence.

04

Read the room — culturally, not just linguistically.

The programme

Twelve sessions. Nothing wasted.

A private curriculum, paced to you. Each session builds on the last — from the script and sounds to real conversation you can use in a Gulf setting.

01The Arabic sounds & script — reading and writing the letters
02Greetings, introductions & first impressions
03Numbers, time & everyday essentials
04Building sentences — saying what you mean
05Questions & getting answers
06The language of meetings & introductions at work
07Business & negotiation vocabulary
08Understanding spoken Gulf Arabic
09Calls, messages & email phrases
10Hospitality, dining & social settings
11Culture, etiquette & doing business in the GCC
12Putting it together — a full conversation, end to end
How it works

Four steps. From enquiry to fluency in the room.

Enquire

Tell us who you are and where you're headed.

Private consultation

A short call to understand your goal and timeline.

Twelve 1:1 sessions

Two to three a week, scheduled around you.

Arrive ready

Walk into the Gulf already understood.

In their words

Trusted by leaders who don't waste time.

I walked into my first meeting in Riyadh and understood the room. That changed everything.

Managing Director · Logistics

Twelve sessions, and I could hold a conversation. Shafqat teaches like he respects your time.

CEO · Construction

Discreet, precise, and genuinely effective. Worth every minute.

Group Director · Finance
Enquire

Request a place.

Places are limited and taken one at a time. Share a few details and Shafqat will be in touch personally to discuss fit and availability.

Every enquiry is read and answered by Shafqat personally. Your details are kept private.