Ahlan, I'm Lynn!
Here’s how a diving trip 16 years ago turned into a life in Egypt, and the start of Let’s Talk Egyptian.
It all started underwater
A diving trip with my family more than 16 years ago. We kept coming back. People became friends, and Egypt slowly became part of my life, it became my second home.
I fell in love with the country, the people, the culture, but I wanted more than just visiting.
I wanted to really blend in. I wanted to understand everyday conversations, follow what people were saying around me, and actually start talking Arabic.
So I went all in. I already had a degree in Journalism and had been working as a journalist for several Belgian newspapers and magazines, but I decided to go study again and enrolled in a Master’s degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies at university.
I immersed myself in the language from an academic angle and lived in Cairo for a while. What I built over time wasn’t just linguistic knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha), it was also a deep, lived understanding of how (Egyptian) Arabic actually works in real life. In a taxi, at a market, with people on the street, at a restaurant, …
Today, I call Sharm El Sheikh home. And I teach Egyptian Arabic because I know how much changes when you stop being a visitor and start being part of the conversation.
How I teach
As a non-native Arabic speaker, I’ve been through it all myself: navigating daily conversations, negotiating prices, asking for directions and understanding the reply 😅, explaining to your bawwaab (doorman) what isn’t working in your apartment.
That moment when you actually need to say something, I know exactly how it feels, and I know how amazing it is when things finally click — when you can connect with the people around you and handle everyday life on your own terms, without switching to English or depending on someone to translate for you.
That’s why everything I teach is built around real situations and real phrases, the language you need to start talking from day one. No random vocabulary you’ll never use or endless grammar rules before you’ve said a single word.
My approach is hands-on and highly structured. I go step by step and explain things in a way that makes them stick. I’ve been through this learning process myself so I know exactly what works, and how to actually get you talking.
What to expect:
Start talking from day one
No random vocabulary or endless grammar rules before you’ve said a single word.
Every lesson gives you something you can use the same day. Whether you’re taking a taxi, ordering food, navigating your way around or having a conversation at the supermarket.
Structured and hands-on
I teach step by step, zooming in on themes straight from daily life, so you never feel overwhelmed. Just clear, structured lessons that give you exactly what you need to handle daily life in Egypt, without switching to English or relying on someone else to translate for you.
Grounded in real life
I live in Egypt and navigate daily life in Egyptian Arabic every single day, from negotiating prices to explaining plumbing problems to landlords.
What I teach is backed by an academic foundation in Arabic, combined with years of real conversations, daily situations, and the kind of language people actually use.
Let’s Talk Egyptian was created out of a deep love for Egypt, its people, and its language. I want you to feel confident, independent, and truly connected, starting from your very first lesson.
Ready to blend in?
Whether you’re living in Egypt, visiting regularly, or just completely in love with this country, I’d love to get you started.
A little more about me
🤿 I’m a certified diver, which is how my Egyptian story started. Egypt has some of the best diving spots in the world.
📚 I have a background in Journalism and hold a Master’s degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies, which means I’ve always been fascinated by language, culture, and the way people communicate.
✈️ I’ve been traveling to Egypt for over 16 years.
🇪🇬 I used to live in Cairo for a while and now live in Sharm El Sheikh.
🇧🇪 I’m Belgian, so I started learning Egyptian Arabic completely from scratch.
🗣 ️My favorite Egyptian Arabic word is ma3lesh معلش, a word that somehow covers everything: sorry, no worries, so be it, never mind … 😅
🍽️ I really love Egyptian food, and cannot pick one favorite, but koshary is definitely in my top 3.
Let’s connect!
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