Guide by Engage in Palestine: Whether it’s for their career, for work, or study, many people find that studying Arabic in the Middle East with native speakers is the most effective way to improve their skills. By surrounding yourself with native speakers, you will have perfect examples for grammar, pronunciation, and new vocabulary around you at all times. Aside from learning vital skills, you will also learn slang, cultural references, and experiences you might not receive in the classroom. So, since learning a language is best done when you are among the natives, what are the best places to study Arabic in the Middle East?

Studying Arabic In Beirut

Many people choose Beirut when they are looking at where to study in the Middle East. The attractions are obvious: an interesting lifestyle in a great location, situated close to the beach with a mix of Arabic and Western cultures, Beirut represents a fun place to begin (or continue) your Arabic learning journey. The locals speak the Shami dialect, home to the Levant, which is the most instantly recognizable and understood dialect in the Arabic-speaking world. However, the one drawback is that it is one of the most expensive cities in the Arab world- it is highly recommended to come with your savings or be prepared to work during your stay. 

Studying Arabic In Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi can be attractive for many of the same reasons as Beirut – it is in a great location, full of interesting things to do, and with a heady lifestyle. It can be a bit of a double-edged sword though, the weather is brutally hot in summer and while the Khaliji dialect can be a profitable one to learn if you intend to find a job in the UAE, it is not quite as well and widely known as the Levantine Arabic dialect. The Gulf countries have been growing quickly, and there is much wealth in Abu Dhabi, so if you master the language here, it could provide an economic advantage in this particular region.

Studying Arabic In Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, like Abu Dhabi, can be a rewarding place to learn Arabic when you consider the long term. Many jobs in Saudi Arabia are reserved for Saudis only, but if you make good connections while you learn Arabic there, this can lead to very lucrative work later when your Arabic and presence in the country is better established. It can be quite expensive to live in Saudi Arabia, but the biggest drawback is that the culture shock is often much more extreme than the other locations discussed in this article.

While many Gulf countries are considered conservative, Saudi Arabia will give a whole new meaning to the term. This might be manageable for a man, but most Western women will find their freedoms severely circumscribed in comparison with their home countries. Considering all of the above, Saudi Arabia is one of the best places to study Arabic in the Middle East.

Studying Arabic In Palestine

Palestine can be an interesting and unique choice for studying Arabic. The cost of living is much lower than in Lebanon, but you can still learn the all-important Levantine dialect. There is nightlife to be found here as well, depending on where you go. Ramallah, Jericho, and Bethlehem are not only home to vibrant communities and filled with things to do at night. Beyond that, this is the Holy Land, and there are a plethora of important historical and cultural sights to behold- none greater than the city of Jerusalem. There is much talk in the media about the bouts of violence that can explode from nowhere, but these incidents are often exaggerated. Palestine is a relatively safe place to live. Despite the Israeli Occupation, it is also fairly easy for foreigners to travel around and explore this fascinating country.

Study Arabic With Engage in Palestine In Hebron, Palestine 

Engage in Palestine’s center in Hebron (or Al Khalil as the locals call it) is one of the proven best places to study Arabic in the Middle East. Engage in Palestine runs intensive Arabic courses, involving between two and five hours of tuition per day to rapidly improve your Arabic levels. Courses are offered in the local dialect or Modern Standard Arabic (or both in a mixed program), depending on your needs. You will be assigned a dedicated Arabic tutor to oversee your development, and you will make friends with the local Palestinian population who will be vital to your continuing language learning. Students find one of the best things about the program is the fact that they make lifelong friends with whom they can practice their Arabic via WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger long after they have left Palestine.

Hebron, West Bank, Palestine

Hebron is situated on the frontline of the Israeli Occupation, with part of the city given over to a settlement, which many international observers (particularly people who have studied international affairs or international relations) consider a fascinating dynamic. The city itself is safe, however. You can walk the streets at night in the H1 area (Palestinian only) without fear, and when there are clashes and demonstrations these are always restricted to a small section of the H2 part of the city (where Palestinians and Israelis live alongside each other in fractious disharmony). It’s therefore easy enough for foreigners to avoid any outbreaks of violence, so long as they are sensible, as in any country.

Your Time With Engage in Palestine

As part of your program, Engage in Palestine provides accommodation and breakfast, along with organized trips to the sights of Hebron like the famous Ibrahimi Mosque here, the glass factory, and the kuffiyeh factory (Arabic neck scarves). There is also plenty of free time to organize your trips so that you have the opportunity to explore with the new friends you will undoubtedly make here.

The combination of permanent Palestinian staff as well as the temporary international volunteers and students makes for a fantastic melting pot of different cultures and influences which ensures all the Arabic students thoroughly enjoy their time. To research the program further, go on to our website or look at our many reviews and testimonials on GoAbroad or Go Overseas. We look forward to receiving your application for one of our intensive Arabic courses at Engage in Palestine soon!

Reviews and Awards

Engage in Palestine has been offering Arabic courses for non-native speakers since 2011. We have developed many Arabic immersion programs and online courses over the years. We use the most advanced teaching methods, which we develop and enhance year after year. Education is an active process always advancing, and you will be part of the development. 

Despite continuous program improvements to ensure the best learning experience, our core goal remains connecting, teaching, and developing individuals. Additionally, we aim to promote and encourage exchange in the local and international communities. 

We continue to strive towards excellence:

In 2022, we ranked as “one of the top three organizations worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities”. We also ranked as “one of the top three language schools worldwide” by Go Overseas. We also received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards. Among others, Engage in Palestine earned recognition as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits”. Besides that, we were also one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”. 

In 2021, we were one of the top three volunteer programs in the world. Go Overseas awarded us the community choice awards in the categories of “best language school”, “fun”, and “teaching”.

In 2019, we received our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards.” This award recognized Engage in Palestine’s positive effect on the global travel community.

Overall, Engage in Palestine is a highly-rated travel company.

• +800 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
• +160 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
• Participants’ video testimonials

Conclusion

In conclusion, studying Arabic in the Middle East offers a wealth of opportunities to immerse yourself in the language and culture, whether you’re in Lebanon, the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, or Palestine, as there many places that could be said to be the best places to study Arabic in Middle East. Each location presents its unique benefits and challenges, from the vibrant, Western-influenced lifestyle of Beirut to the more conservative environment of Saudi Arabia. For a deep cultural experience paired with practical language skills, Engage in Palestine’s Arabic courses in Hebron provide an ideal balance of affordability, safety, and cultural immersion, ensuring a rewarding experience for any Arabic learner.

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Find Out More

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Info@ecpalestine.org and on Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880

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