Best places to Study Arabic in the Middle East: Learning Levantine (Ammiya Arabic), Modern Standard, Palestinian Colloquial Arabic can be a really interesting past time, whether it’s with you a view to pursuing a career in something that will require the language in a professional capacity, or just learning it because you appreciate the language and culture in its own right.
You may pick up some Arabic from listening to Arabic songs or watching Arabic films and television with subtitles, but to really learn the language, you’re going to have to take an Arabic course, either in your home country or in a country where they speak Arabic.
Whether it’s for work, study or pleasure, many people find studying Arabic in the Middle East with native speakers is the best way to learn. While there are many Modern Standard Arabic courses available in non-Arab countries, it’s often very difficult to learn a dialect (such as Levantine, Egyptian, Magrehbi, Khaliji or Sudanese Arabic) without traveling to a country where it is spoken.
Additionally, studying with native speakers means they can correct your grammar and pronunciation, as well as giving you the ‘street language’ that you might not necessarily receive if you only study in the classroom.
Not only that, but when you study Arabic in the Middle East, you will be surrounded by native speakers and you will be able to immerse yourself in not only the culture of your chosen study destination, but the language as well. This will give you many opportunities to practice by speaking the language in natural and authentic settings in your daily life. This might mean going out of your comfort zone but it will help you tremendously to grow as a person as well as to grow your Arabic proficiency.
If you are considering studying Arabic in the Middle East but not sure where to go, keep reading to learn about some of the best places to study Arabic in the Middle East.
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Modern Standard or Dialect?
This is an important distinction you need to be clear about in your mind. Modern Standard Arabic is the Arabic spoken on TV, news stations and in news papers – it is the more official form of the language and is generally considered more difficult. If you are interested in working in a professional capacity like law or journalism, this is the form of the language you will need to learn .
However, if you are more interested in speaking with locals, then the local dialect (Ammiya or Shami Arabic) will be of more use to you. You can learn both in parallel but it is usually advisable to focus on why you’re learning the language and then adjust your focus accordingly.
Studying Arabic in Your Home Country
There will undoubtedly be opportunities to study Arabic in your home country wherever you live. More than like there will be courses at universities or nights school, because Arabic is an important world language; there will probably also be tutors operating in your country as part of the world wide Arab diaspora – particularly in Europe and America, immigration influxes mean there is a sizeable part of the population who are Arabic speaking and will want to sell their services.
However, even if there is not a large Arabic speaking population in your home country, this is not necessarily a big problem as online tutors can teach you the language from anywhere in the world in theory.
Studying Arabic in North Africa
For some people, the option of studying in North Africa might appeal to them – this is certainly a region with a fascinating history stretching back to the Berbers and the Roman Empire and Carthage before that. The culture is particularly intriguing, given the mix of French, Spanish, Berber and Arabic influences.
However, the local dialect can be difficult to learn and may not bear as much resemblance to other forms of the language – it’s said that a Moroccan Arabic speaker for example can understand Levantine dialect and fussha (Modern Standard Arabic) but a Syrian or Lebanese Arabic user can barely understand a word of Moroccan dialect!
Studying Arabic in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, UAE
Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the most populous cities in the United Arab Emirates can be attractive for many of the same reasons as Beirut – they are 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 UAE is famous for its luxury tourism, so it isn’t a very budget-friendly destination and the weather is brutally hot and humid, particularly in summer.
On top of that, while the Khaliji dialect can be a profitable one to learn if you intend to find a job in the UAE, but it is not quite as well and widely known as the Levantine Arabic dialect. There is much wealth in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, so if you do master the language here, you can really turn that to your advantage in the future. However, there are many expats working in a wide variety of jobs in the UAE so English is widely spoken, so it isn’t the best option if you wish to be fully immersed in the Arabic language.
Studying Arabic in Cairo, Egypt
Egypt is another popular destination to learn Arabic as well as being an incredibly popular tourist destination because of its rich culture and numerous ancient historical sites such as the pyramids in Giza. There are many destinations within Egypt offering Arabic courses with Cairo being one of the most popular. Cairo is the largest city in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, which has pros and cons.
Some of the drawbacks that internationals may find is that it can be very busy with a lot of pollution and a lot of traffic with a very different standard of driving compared to western countries. However, the cost of living in Egypt is generally quite cheap and comfortable for internationals. Another pro is that Egyptian Arabic is widely understood in the Arab world because of the prominence of Egyptian movies, TV shows and music. If you wish to work or communicate with Egyptians, it will be a very beneficial dialect for you to learn.
Studying Arabic in the Levant
The Levant, which includes Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan, is an excellent place to learn Arabic. The cost of living in these countries is relatively affordable compared to other Arab nations, making it an accessible option for many language learners. Additionally, the dialect spoken in this region is considered to be one of the easiest to learn and use, and it is widely understood throughout the Arab world.
In addition to being an affordable and practical choice, the Levant offers a unique cultural experience for language learners. The people in these countries are known for their hospitality and warmth, and they are often eager to help foreigners learn their language and customs. Whether you are exploring the bustling streets of Damascus, strolling along the shores of the Mediterranean in Beirut, or visiting the ancient ruins of Petra in Jordan, you will be immersed in a rich and vibrant culture that is steeped in history and tradition.
Overall, the Levant is an excellent choice for anyone looking to learn Arabic. With its affordable cost of living, easy-to-learn dialect, welcoming people, and rich cultural experience, it is a destination that should not be overlooked by language learners.
Studying Arabic with the Engage in Palestine
Engage in Palestine can be a fantastic place to take a programme studying Arabic. It is well situated in the West Bank for learning Levantine dialect (Ammiya Arabic), in a cheap city. Additionally Hebron is close to the Occupation, so if you are interested in seeing this up close for yourself, this is the place to do it. Having said that, it is a very safe city – you can walk the streets at night without fear. When there are clashes they are highly localised to a single area, and you can avoid them easily as long as you are sensible about it. As a foreigner, you will have privileged access to some places that even Palestinians can’t go!
The Summer Arabic Immersion Program
The Summer Arabic Immersion Program is a great opportunity for those who are looking for an intensive Arabic course during the summer in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel or the Middle East in general.
Taking place in the city of Hebron, West Bank, you will not only be immersed in Palestinian culture, politics and daily life, but you will also have the opportunity to gain exposure to the current human rights conditions of Palestinian refugees by visiting local refugee camps and Palestinian villages. Furthermore, visits and tours to different Palestinian universities, Bedouin areas and local families are organized as part of the program to help engage and immerse you wholeheartedly.
Intensive Arabic Language Courses
Engage in Palestine’s intensive Arabic courses are open to any student who would like to learn or progress their Arabic skills rapidly. Whether you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student, or simply an avid language lover, these classes will help to improve your Arabic through the technique of classroom immersion.
Engage in Palestine’s intensive courses include Modern Standard Arabic, Palestinian Arabic and Levantine Colloquial Arabic. Please find more information below.
Modern Standard Arabic Intensive Courses
Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic are largely considered the same dialect, except for minor differentiations in phrasing and diction. Because Modern Standard and Classical Arabic share identical vocabulary, those who enrol in our Modern Standard Arabic programs will be well equipped to understand Classical Arabic.
At Engage in Palestine, Modern Standard Arabic is taught at eight different levels, from complete beginner to highly advanced.
Modern Standard Arabic Course Details: >>
Palestinian Colloquial Arabic Courses
The Study Palestinian Arabic program is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the diverse culture of Palestine and the Levant or wish to connect with the wider Palestinian diaspora. Travelling to Hebron and acquiring the Palestinian spoken dialect will connect you with the region’s rich history and will better help you to understand its contemporary role in the Arab world and internationally.
At Engage in Palestine, the Palestinian Colloquial Arabic courses are available at six different levels ranging from beginners to intermediate and advanced levels. | Palestinian Colloquial Arabic: Course details: >>
Levantine Colloquial Arabic
The Study Levantine Arabic program is an ideal opportunity to expand your spoken Arabic to include the Levantine dialect.
Fortunately for participants of this program, our center is located in the heart of the Levant in the vibrant city of Hebron. As Levantine Arabic is one of the most widely spoken Arabic dialects, its acquisition is the ultimate passport connecting you with the Arabic-speaking world. Levantine Colloquial Arabic Course details: >>
Individual Arabic Courses
Engage in Palestine offers intensive and non-intensive private Arabic lessons in a wide range of dialects, all taught one-to-one by an Engage in Palestine Arabic teacher. As an Arabic student, you will have the opportunity to customize your Arabic course according to your needs and wishes. Our Palestinian teachers will prepare a curriculum to meet your needs, whether your wish is to study Palestinian spoken Arabic, Levantine or Classical/Standard Arabic.
Our wide range of immersive Arabic courses cover both standardised Arabic classes and specific colloquial dialects from Syria, Palestine and other regions of the Levant. As such, our Arabic lessons are suitable for a wide range of learners, from international businesspeople, diplomats and travellers to people wishing to read the Quran. Our flexible private lessons can specialise your curriculum to suit your needs and requirements.
Online Arabic Courses
Alongside the Arabic programs offered in Hebron, we also offer intensive and non-intensive online Arabic lessons taught by qualified Palestinian teachers and instructors. More information on these programs can be found at this link : Levantine and Palestinian Arabic online lessons.
Our Reviews and Community Awards
Engage in Palestine has welcomed over 1,000 individuals from all over the world since 2011. While we continuously develop our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, our fundamental mission remains the same: to connect, teach and develop individuals within the local and international community.
In 2022 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities and one of the top three language schools worldwide by Go Overseas. We received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022 and were recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
In 2021, we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards by Go Overseas in the categories “best language school”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.”
In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Excellence Center’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs
Check out our reviews and testimonials from previous participants, linked below, to see if we are the right organization for you.
- 840+ Reviews (96%) on Gooverseas.com
- 170+ Reviews (94%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Intensive Arabic Tuition
The Engage in Palestine provides programmes which involve intensive Arabic tuition for up to five hours a day to ensure you rapidly improve your language levels. Additionally, you will be immersed in an Arabic speaking environment, constantly exposed to the language in a setting where you will probably make many local friends. These people can help you with your language learning both while you are living in Palestine and also long after you have left. After all a friend is just a free Arabic teacher in disguise!
Explore This Fascinating Country
The Engage in Palestine provides accommodation and some meals for all students, and you will have free time as well so that you have the opportunity to explore this fascinating country and visit the other famous cities of the West Bank like Jericho, Nablus and Bethlehem. This will give you a great opportunity to understand the history and culture that underpins the language you are learning and extend your language facilities so that you can understand different local dialects – certain letters change for example if you are in the city or the countryside!
Overall the the Engage in Palestine is one of the best places not just in the West Bank, but the whole Middle East to study Arabic and we thoroughly recommend you join us for a programme in the near future
How To Book Your Arabic Course
Please send an email application request to Info@ecpalestine.org with Intensive Arabic Language Courses as the subject line. We should be able to respond to your email within 3 business days, and we will then send you the application form.
Summary
Studying Arabic in the Middle East is one of the best ways to learn Arabic, especially if you wish to study a spoken dialect instead of Modern Standard Arabic. The Middle East is a very diverse and rich region historically, culturally and linguistically. Studying Arabic here will not only greatly improve your Arabic level, but you will have a memorable experience getting to travel, make friends while being immersed in a new culture.
While there are many study destinations to choose from, such as Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, we invite you to consider coming to Palestine to study Arabic with us. Our courses are not only taught by wonderful native Arabic-speaking teachers, but they are very flexible so you can choose when you would like to study and for how long (between 1-13 weeks).
On top of that, you will get to be immersed in Palestinian culture, and as part of your program we include accommodation, daily breakfast and a number of visits around Hebron city to help you learn more about Palestine politically and culturally. We also host many internationals who study or volunteer with us, so you will have the chance to make friends with Palestinians as well as people from all over the world.
We look forward to receiving your application for the intensive Arabic course at Engage in Palestine soon!
Related Arabic Intensive Programs
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Tags: Ammiyya Arabic Program, Levantine Arabic Courses, Palestinian Arabic Courses, Study Arabic in Palestine, Study Arabic in the Middle East