The 2025 Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Program at Engage in Palestine offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the Levantine dialect (Shami or Ammiyya) and enhance your spoken Arabic skills. Whether you are preparing for travel, professional opportunities, or personal growth, this summer Arabic immersion program will provide a deep dive into the language, culture, and history of the Levant region.

Held in Hebron, Palestine, and taught by qualified local teachers, the program allows participants to experience the rich Palestinian culture and politics of the region firsthand. The program is open to applicants of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, so it is a great choice for students, recent graduates, and anyone looking to improve their Arabic in an immersive and supportive environment.      

Mastering the Levantine dialect will help you travel with confidence to countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, or any region of the Middle East. Engage in Palestine brings over 14 years of expertise in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, making it the ideal place for this transformative learning experience.

How Many Arabic Hours?

Taught by qualified Palestinian teachers and professors, the program offers 20 hours of instruction per week, totaling 80 hours over the course of the month.

Students are encouraged to add an extra 2 hours daily after lessons to reinforce their learning, receive assistance with homework, and practice speaking Levantine Arabic.

When is the 2025 Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Program?

The 2025 Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Program will take place from June 30, 2025, to July 27, 2025.

Where?

The Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Program 2025 will take place at the Excellence Center/Engage in Palestine, located in Hebron, 30 km south of Jerusalem.

What Is Levantine Arabic?

Levantine Arabic, also known as Ammiyya (العامية) or the Shami dialect (اللهجة الشامية), is the Arabic dialect spoken in countries like Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. It features distinct sounds, vocabulary, and grammar rules that set it apart from other Arabic dialect

Why Learn Levantine Arabic? 

  • As one of two dominant spoken dialects, Levantine Arabic has approximately 44 million native speakers worldwide. By learning this dialect, students will have many opportunities to engage with the people, politics, histories and cultures of the Arabic-speaking world.
  • Whether motivated by travel, recreation, business, personal interest, family lineage, or simple curiosity, individuals studying Levantine Arabic will be able to connect with this diverse and influential region.    
  • Through studying Levantine Arabic dialect, students will have the opportunity to interact with individuals and communities across Arabic-speaking countries and the Arab diaspora, including those situated in their own communities back home!

How Are Arabic Classes Conducted?

Our summer Levantine Arabic classes are conducted in a small group setting, with students of similar skill levels placed together in groups of up to 10 participants.

These classes are intensive, immersive Arabic courses that focus on speaking in small groups. Students work on group projects, go through the process of learning a new language together, and make new friends from Palestine and around the world! 

What Is the Level of the Course?

1. Beginner Levantine Arabic

 This level is for those who do not have any prior knowledge of the Arabic language and would like to start learning the alphabet.

The Beginner course  will allow you to gain fundamental skills in reading and writing Arabic as well as understanding and engaging in simple, day-to-day conversations.

2. Intermediate Levantine Arabic

This  levantine course will introduce students to a more immersive curriculum, where they will engage with the Palestinian community of Hebron and communicate with native speakers to complete everyday tasks. For example, students may be instructed to purchase items from a Palestinian market, order from a restaurant, discuss preferences about a certain topic or other colloquial activities.

In class, Arabic Students will also be introduced to subjects      such as culture, art, and politics, and will learn the vocabulary needed to speak about them with confidence.    

Applicants Eligibility Requirements

  • Available to anyone between the ages of 16 – 75 (Exceptions made upon special request with the Center’s director) 
  • Available to all nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, and beliefs
  • Interest in learning about other cultures

Why Should I Join This Summer Intensive Program?

Here are a few reasons for joining the Intensive Arabic Immersion Program in Palestine:

  • Diverse Arabic courses to choose from, such as Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine (Shami) dialects, Ammiya, Classical and Palestinian Arabic, all of which use up-to-date teaching techniques in an intensive learning environment.
  • Tuition from well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers with excellent educational backgrounds
  • Breakfast with other program participants (6 times a week)
  • Support before your departure and during your time in Palestine
  • Visits to various sites in the city of Hebron, including refugee camps, the old city and various factories
  • An opportunity to learn about Palestinian politics and the experience of occupation in the West Bank 
  • An insight into the human rights situation while helping Palestinian refugees.
  • Engagement in educational, social and community activities
  • Palestinian hospitality and a pleasant climate
  • The opportunity to visit unique tourist attractions from a native perspective, including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin and the Dead Sea near Jericho
  • Access to nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth
  • certificate upon completion

Levantine Arabic Program Overview: 

Program2025 Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Program
Place of ProgramHebron, Palestine
Program Fees1400 Euro
AgeOlder than 16 years
Background in Arabic:None required
Duration4 weeks
Teaching Hours80 Hours
One Teaching Hour45 Min
Average Class SizeGroups of 20 Students
Class periodsMornings (8:30 – 12:30)
Afternoons (12:30 – 16:00)
Starting Date30th  of June 2025
Ending Date27th of July 2025
Application DeadlineUntil the 15th of April 2025
Days offTwo days (Saturday and Sundays)
Educational DegreeNot required
University CreditAvailable

*Costs include study materials, booklet, and books, placement test, a tour of Halle, breakfast four days a week, accommodation with a host family or in a shared apartment, in-country and pre-departure support with logistics and travel, Arabic classes, and a certificate of completion. Registration fee: Paid once at registration.

Arabic Classes Include:

  • Class readings and discussions
  • Book work
  • Meetings with local Arab refugees and migrants
  • Participation in community and cultural activities
  • Daily homework
  • Quizzes

Accommodation

Engage in Palestine offers accommodation either in a Palestinian host family home or a shared apartment.

1. Apartments

Our shared apartments are modern, cozy, fully equipped, and just a 5-minute walk from the center. They are designed for comfort and convenience, providing a modern and inviting space for students to relax and unwind.

2. Palestinian Host Family

For those staying with a Palestinian host family, the experience offers a deep immersion into Palestinian culture, with opportunities to engage in family activities, attend local cultural events, and interact with the welcoming community of Hebron. This option allows students to enhance their Arabic skills while gaining a unique insight into Palestinian home life and traditions.

Reviews and Community Awards

The Excellence Center/Engage in Palestine has proudly received several Community Awards and been recognized as the Best Arabic Language School overseas, the top program for studying Levantine Arabic abroad during summer, and the leading provider of volunteer and internship opportunities abroad in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. 

 Check out our many great reviews here:

Application Questions

If you are interested in participating in the 2025 Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Program, please email us at Info@ecpalestine.org.

When you are ready to apply, write “2025 Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Program” in the subject line of your email. We will reply with an application form for you to fill out and return to begin the on-boarding process. We hope to hear from you soon!

Summary

The 2025 Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Program at Engage n Palestine offers participants the chance to learn the Levantine dialect (Shami or Ammiyya) while immersing themselves in Palestinian culture, history, and politics. Open to people of all ages and backgrounds worldwide, the program runs from June 30 to July 27, 2025, in Hebron, 30 km south of Jerusalem.

Participants will receive 20 hours of instruction per week (80 hours total) from qualified Palestinian teachers and professors, with the option to add 2 extra daily hours for practice, homework help, and skill reinforcement. This program is ideal for students, recent graduates, and anyone preparing to travel in the Levant region, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at:

Info@ecpalestine.org

WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880

Website: https://ecpalestine.org/

EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

 

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