Studying Arabic can be a rewarding and valuable experience, particularly if you study it intensively in an Arab country like Palestine. Palestine, as a country steeped in history, culture, and tradition, offers a unique and fascinating environment for anyone who wishes to study Arabic. However, because there are so many language schools and intensive Arabic programs, it can seem a little daunting to sort through them and find the best option for you. Below, we will give you some tips on finding the best intensive Arabic courses in Palestine suitable for you. 

The First Step – Research Your Options

Nowadays it is very easy to search for intensive Arabic courses online, so this is the first step you should take. You can make a list of potential Arabic courses and organizations that you might wish to pursue and then narrow down the list. You can check the language schools’ websites to better gauge the intensive Arabic programs on offer and look for any reviews from students to get a better idea about what to expect and to see if the quality is high. It’s also important to make a note of which types of Arabic are offered and match that with the type of Arabic you wish to learn, such as Modern Standard Arabic (Fus’ha), Levantine (Shami) Arabic, Colloquial Palestinian Arabic, or another type. 

Consider The Location In Palestine

Once you have a list of potential language schools or organizations, you can narrow down your list if you have a preference for any particular location. You should consider the kind of lifestyle you wish to have, your budget, the amenities available in any given city and its proximity to other cities, and cultural and historical sites if those are things you are interested in exploring. 

Look For Experienced Instructors Who Speak Your Language

When learning any language, the quality of your teacher will greatly impact your overall experience learning the language and your motivation to continue learning. So it is crucial to find an experienced and well-qualified native Arabic teacher. Teaching Arabic to native Arabic speakers and non-native speakers is very different, so you will want to make sure the school or organization you are considering has teachers experienced with non-native learners. Finally, unless you are already an advanced Arabic learner, you will probably want to find an Arabic teacher that also speaks English well or that speaks another language you have in common. 

Check The Curriculum And Course Details

Next, it is important to check the curriculum of the intensive Arabic courses you are considering in Palestine and make sure it is compatible with your interests and needs. For example, you will want to find a curriculum that covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking if you are interested in having a comprehensive language learning experience with all four skills. We advise you to also make sure the course is at an appropriate level of difficulty for you. You can check online for a course outline and any other relevant information to help you check the compatibility. If you cannot find it readily available on the school or organization’s website, you can contact them to see if they can provide it.

Enquire About The Class Size

The size of your Arabic class will certainly impact your learning experience positively or negatively. There can be a whole range of class sizes, from individual one-on-one lessons to large group classes with 20-30 students. So it is important to consider what class sizes are available and what best matches your own needs and learning styles. Generally, a smaller class size is much more beneficial as the teacher can provide more personalized attention and instruction. 

Check The Schedule

Because intensive Arabic courses can be time-consuming and are as their name suggests – intense, organizations and language schools may only offer these courses on a limited schedule. This is a very important factor because the best intensive Arabic program in the world won’t be suitable for you if its availability doesn’t match yours. So it is important to check the course duration as well as the available start and end dates to find one that works for you.

Consider The Cost

Finally and most importantly, considering the cost of intensive Arabic programs is essential. Costs can vary greatly from one language school to another and from one city to the next. The fees will also depend on the number of hours of instruction, the class size, and the duration of the program. We advise you to determine your budget first to help you narrow down your options and find the best intensive Arabic course in Palestine for you.

Studying Intensive Arabic With Engage In Palestine

Engage in Palestine is a local Palestinian organization that is well-regarded and highly reviewed by former participants. Engage in Palestine offers a variety of different short-term intensive Arabic courses, volunteer programs, and internships. With all of our programs, we aim to foster cultural connections and exchanges, as well as promote language learning and develop individuals and communities. 

Engage in Palestine has over 11 years of experience running volunteer programs and Arabic courses that bring internationals and Palestinians together. Engage in Palestine offers a very high standard of Arabic teaching in either a private one-on-one or small-group setting. For anyone looking to study Arabic in the areas of Palestine, the West Bank, Israel, or the Middle East, Engage in Palestine has the ideal Arabic courses for you. Students will have a fun, safe, immersive, and enriching experience while learning Arabic with Engage in Palestine.

Voted One Of The Top Language Schools Worldwide In 2022 By Go Overseas

Over the last few years, Engage in Palestine has been awarded several Community Choice Awards by Go Overseas. Most recently, we were awarded as one of the top language schools in the world in 2022 in addition to winning several awards for our volunteer and internship programs. We also received Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2021 for our volunteer opportunities and we were voted the best language school in the categories of “fun” and “instruction”. Go Overseas Community Choice Awards are awarded based on the reviews from former participants, so as you can see, Engage in Palestine is highly regarded as well as providing a very high standard of Arabic instruction. 

Where Is Engage In Palestine?

Engage in Palestine is located in Hebron – one of the most culturally rich and ancient cities in Palestine. Hebron is located in the south of the West Bank, approximately 30km south of Jerusalem, and Hebron governorate (which includes the city and surrounding villages) has a population of over 700,000 people. Today Hebron is known as the commercial capital of the West Bank while Hebron is also known for its religious significance and historical importance. 

Hebron, which has a vibrant market and a variety of small businesses, is a significant hub for trade and industry in Palestine. The city is renowned for its rich cultural past, which is evident in its traditional arts and crafts, cuisine, and architecture. The Ibrahimi Mosque, a significant place of pilgrimage for both Muslims and Jews, is one of several historical and religious landmarks in Hebron’s old city, which itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

It is important to add that Hebron is also a city on the frontline of the Israeli occupation and is the only city in the West Bank with Israeli settlers living inside part of the city itself. This makes Hebron a very important city, not only historically and economically, but also to see and understand the effects of the occupation.

Our Offering Of Short Term Intensive Arabic Courses In The West Bank

At Engage in Palestine, we know that students learning or wanting to learn Arabic come from diverse backgrounds and have diverse interests, preferences, and goals. As a result, we offer several different intensive Arabic courses. We offer a range of intensities such as non-intensive, intensive, and super-intensive as well as several different dialects and styles of Arabic. You can find out more about our Arabic course offerings by clicking the links in the table below.

Duration And Timing Of Our Intensive Arabic Programs 

Engage in Palestine offers intensive Arabic programs all year round to interested students. Students are free to choose how long they wish to study Arabic with us in Palestine, starting from 1 week up to 13 weeks. In addition, students are free to choose when they wish to begin and end their intensive Arabic course.

In summer, we offer a series of four-week small-ground intensive Arabic courses. Each of these courses will begin on the first of each month, from June through September, and last for four weeks. 

We Offer Flexible Booking 

We understand that whether due to a change of heart, unforeseen circumstances, or last-minute emergencies, plans can change. Therefore, we make all of our volunteer programs, internships, and Arabic courses flexible so that you can change or delay your plans. 

All of our programs have flexible start and end dates and during the application process, you can choose when to begin and end anytime throughout the year for 1-13 weeks. 

In Case You Need To Make Date Changes

If you need to make any date changes to your intensive Arabic program in Palestine, you can do this for free two weeks or more before your original start date. However, if you wish to make changes or cancelation within two weeks of your original start date, any payments you have made will be converted to a credit for you to use towards any of our other programs in the future either in Palestine or with our sister location in Germany.

Summer Intensive Arabic Courses With Engage In Palestine

For anyone interested in studying intensive Arabic in summer in the Middle East, Palestine, Israel, or close to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, or Tel Aviv, we have the ideal Arabic courses for you. We offer our Arabic students both a warm, welcoming, immersive environment and top-notch Arabic instruction from knowledgeable and well-qualified native Arabic teachers. 

Summer Intensive Small Group Arabic Classes

Starting from June until September, we run special summer small-group intensive Arabic courses. Our summer short-term Arabic programs each last for four weeks, beginning on the first day of each month. This means you can spend up to three months learning Arabic in Palestine with us over the summer. There is a three-month maximum duration due to the 90-day limit of the Israeli tourist visa needed to study Arabic in Palestine. Additionally, each small group summer Arabic immersion course is offered in either Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine (Shami) Arabic, or Colloquial Palestinian Arabic.

What Levels of Arabic Do We Offer In Summer?

We offer a variety of levels for our short-term summer intensive Arabic courses. Our classes are suitable no matter your level, and if you aren’t sure of your level, we will happily provide a free placement test for you. For Levantine Arabic and Colloquial Palestinian Arabic (Ammiya), we offer the following four levels: Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. 

For Modern Standard Arabic, we have the following six levels available: Beginner, Elementary 1, Elementary 2, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, and Advanced.

Learn In A Small Group Setting

There are typically 2 to 3 students in each lesson (with a maximum of 5 students). We keep the class size small so our Arabic teachers can personalize the lessons and provide each student with lots of individual attention. It also allows for plenty of chances to communicate and debate with your classmates as well as participate in the lessons so that you can rapidly develop your Arabic skills. Studying in a small group also means you can get to know your classmates on a more personal basis and have people to study with outside of the classroom. 

Our Summer Intensive Arabic Programs Build Your Skills Rapidly

Our summer Arabic courses are immersive and intensive, which provides you with the right environment to learn and develop your Arabic abilities quickly. Additionally, our English-speaking native Arabic teachers are friendly, and supportive, have excellent educational backgrounds, and are also experienced in teaching Arabic to international students. 

This in addition to being surrounded by native Arabic speakers at our center and in Hebron generally, will give you countless opportunities to hear, use, and speak Arabic in an immersive and authentic setting. 

Spend Your Summer Learning More Than Just The Arabic Language

Spending your summer with us in Hebron, West Bank is a unique opportunity to acquire not only the Arabic language but also learn about the culture and customs that are entwined with it. We will take you on trips and tours to places in and around Hebron that are significant from a cultural, political, or historical standpoint, such as the old city of Hebron, as part of your summer Arabic program.

Quick Facts About Our Intensive Arabic Immersion Programs 

Below you will find quick key facts about our different intensive Arabic courses. 

Highlights During Your Intensive Arabic Immersion Program With Engage In Palestine

• Building new friendships with other students, volunteers, and interns, as well as visitors, and local Palestinian residents, and Engage in Palestine’s staff.
• Gaining valuable real-life Arabic experience Sith plenty of chances to practice both inside and outside of the classroom. 
• Living in the fascinating city of Hebron and getting to experience it on a more intimate level than most tourists do, with your accommodation provided by us.
• Immersing yourself in Palestinian culture, Palestinian Arabic, and daily life. 
• Experiencing the hospitality of Palestine by participating in Engage in Palestine’s activities during your free time. 
• Sharing a traditional Palestinian breakfast at our center with your fellow students, volunteers, interns, and our staff each day (except Fridays), which is included in all our programs.
• Learning Arabic for the first time or continuing your Arabic learning journey with us with Arabic lessons in Modern Standard Arabic or the local dialect. 
• Having many opportunities to practice your Arabic and have conversations with local Palestinians. 
• Engage in Palestine’s center is staffed by highly qualified and attentive Arabic and English teachers with excellent educational backgrounds, who are eager and enthusiastic to assist you.
• Gaining firsthand experience of one of the most politically complex and dynamic regions in the Middle East.
• Learning about the situation of internally displaced Palestinian refugees in the West Bank.  
• Joining group trips and visits arranged by us to a range of different culturally, politically, or historically important sites such as the old city in Hebron, Al-Shuhada Street, the keffiyeh factory, a glass and ceramics factory, refugee camps, human rights organizations, local artists and much more. 
• Having free time to plan weekend trips with your fellow volunteers or interns to exciting nearby destinations such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin, the Dead Sea, Jericho, Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, Masada, Amman, Aqaba and Wadi Rum.
• Program fees cover guided tours and activities, Arabic language tuition, accommodation, breakfast, and 24/7 program assistance from pre-departure to the end of your program.
• Obtaining academic credit towards your studies (upon request).
• Upon completion of your short-term Arabic course, Engage in Palestine will provide you with a certificate.

The Impact Of Studying Arabic With Us In Palestine 

Through all of our short-term Arabic courses, volunteer programs, and internships, we aim to make a long-term difference for both the local Palestinian community and you. Studying Arabic with Engage in Palestine in Hebron, Palestine can have a meaningful impact on both the individual Arabic learner and the local Palestinian community. 

As a student, you will gain a greater awareness and understanding of Palestinian culture and the problems facing Palestinian society through cultural and Arabic language immersion as well as making your observations. You can make an impact on local Palestinians’ lives and participate in cultural exchanges by building relationships. Locals in Hebron are generally very friendly and many Palestinians are very eager to talk with international visitors. This can make your time in Hebron more rich and fulfilling, while it can also have a positive on local Palestinians, who may have never been able to travel or otherwise meet many people from other countries or cultures. 

On top of this, you will have the opportunity to hone a variety of abilities and skills while studying Arabic in Palestine. You can develop your cross-cultural communication skills, as well as other abilities like critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. These will positively impact you in a variety of professional scenarios as well as in your personal life.

Benefits You Can Expect When Studying Arabic In Palestine With Us

• We arrange and provide accommodation for you in Hebron (in either a homestay or shared apartment).
• We provide a Palestinian breakfast every day (except Fridays) at our center, shared with other participants and our staff.
• You can choose between a super-intensive, intensive, and non-intensive pace and choose which dialect to learn: Levantine (Shami) Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, or Colloquial Palestinian (Ammiya) Arabic.
• Our Arabic classes are taught one-on-one or in small groups (2-5 students), allowing for personalized instruction and an immersive environment. All of which use up-to-date teaching techniques in an intensive learning environment.
• Learn Palestinian-spoken Arabic from native speakers and embrace the opportunity to communicate with locals.
• The chance to gain a better understanding of Palestinian politics and experience the Israeli occupation in the West Bank.
• The possibility of learning about the human rights situation in Palestine and supporting Palestinian refugees, children, and women (if you wish). 
• The opportunity to travel to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem in your free time.
• You will have days off so you can visit other nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
• Visits are arranged by us to Palestinian universities, local institutions, and organizations specializing in culture and education.
• Having lots of chances to eat local Palestinian foods and delicacies.
• We offer you pre-departure support as well as ongoing in-country support during your time with us in Palestine. 
• You can obtain academic credit towards your degree for currently enrolled university or college students.

Who Is Studying Arabic In Palestine Suitable For?

Studying Arabic in Palestine with Engage in Palestine is suitable for anyone interested in beginning or continuing their Arabic learning journey, whether they wish to learn Modern Standard Arabic (Fus’ha), Levantine (Shami) Arabic, Colloquial Palestinian Arabic, or Qur’anic Arabic. 

Our Prospective Arabic Students May Be:

• Current university students looking to spend a semester abroad studying Arabic for academic credit
• Anyone looking for summer opportunities to study intensive Arabic
• University or college students or graduates who are studying or have studied Middle Eastern Studies, Arab Studies, Islamic Studies, Human Rights, International Relations, Diplomacy, Political Science or other related fields
• People with Palestinian or Arab heritage wishing to learn their family’s language and reconnect to their roots
• Students, interns, or professionals planning to live, study, or work in an Arabic-speaking country in the Middle East
• People who are social workers or otherwise work with refugees, particularly Palestinian or Syrian refugees
• Anyone interested in immersive language learning or studying Arabic overseas
• Anyone interested in learning to read the Holy Qur’an

Requirements To Study Arabic At Engage In Palestine

Intensive Arabic courses at Engage in Palestine are open to anyone from any nationality and it doesn’t matter if you are an advanced Arabic speaker or a first-time learner. We do have three main criteria that we request from prospective Arabic students. These are to be aged between 18-70 years old, although it can be possible to make an exception if approved by Engage in Palestine’s director. The second requirement is to have colloquial fluency in either English or Arabic because these are the two languages that we teach our Arabic lessons in. Finally, we ask all our Arabic students to have a positive attitude, an open mind as well as an eagerness to learn.

Reviews and Awards

Volunteer 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, Volunteer 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 Volunteer in Palestine’s positive effect on the global travel community.

Overall, Volunteer 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

Summary 

In this article, we have shared some tips to help you find the best intensive Arabic programs in Palestine. It’s important to do your research and consider several factors such as the schedule, curriculum, class size, and cost of the Arabic courses you are considering to make the best choice for you.

Engage in Palestine is a top choice for anyone wishing to study Arabic in Palestine, whether you wish to study MSA or a dialect. Our organization provides high-quality Arabic instruction provided by our supportive and well-qualified native Arabic teachers and our intensive Arabic programs also come with several inclusions such as accommodation, daily breakfast (except Fridays), ongoing support, and sightseeing trips around Hebron. Engage in Palestine has also been recognized by Go Overseas in 2021 and 2022 for being one of the top language schools in the world and they awarded us several Community Choice Awards.

Overall, prospective Arabic students will have a wonderful time studying Arabic as well as learning about Palestinian and Arab culture through their immersive Arabic program with Engage in Palestine. Whether you are a current student, graduate, professional, retiree, or anyone else wishing to learn Arabic in the summer or any other time of the year, we hope to welcome you to Engage in Palestine soon and be a part of your Arabic language learning journey.

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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