Levantine Arabic is a dialect of Arabic that is spoken in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. These four countries make up the area known as the Levant, which is where the name Levantine Arabic comes from. Levantine Arabic can also be called Shami Arabic as Shami is how the Levant is called in Arabic. Levantine or Shami Arabic is distinguished by its unique pronunciation and vocabulary, and learning this dialect can be a rewarding experience for those interested in the Middle East and its culture. 

Where To Learn Levantine Arabic?

Most universities and language schools in non-Arab countries will offer tuition in Modern Standard Arabic, so it’s important to ascertain the type of Arabic that is taught before signing up for a course or classes. For this reason (amongst there being many other benefits), one of the best places to study Levantine Arabic is in the Levant itself, that is Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, or Syria.

Overall, language centers in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, universities in the Levant, online language courses or tutors, and private language tutors are all excellent places to study Levantine Arabic. In this article, we will go over each of these options to assist you in determining the best place to study Levantine Arabic based on your specific needs and preferences.

1. Language Schools In The Levant Are One Of The Best Places To Learn Levantine Arabic

Whether you choose to study Levantine Arabic in Palestine or elsewhere in the Levant, one of the best places to study Levantine Arabic is at a language center or language school. Not only do they usually offer top-quality instruction, but often you can find intensive Levantine Arabic courses that run much more frequently than universities might offer. Language centers might offer classes in big groups, small groups, or private one-on-one lessons, which can make them suitable for people with a range of budgets. When studying at a language center in the Levant, the tuition fee may also include extras such as accommodation, immersive activities, trips, and some meals. 

Overall, Arabic language schools provide students with a great balance between cost, affordability, quality of language instruction, and immersion, making them one of the best places to learn Levantine Arabic in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. Private Arabic language schools may also be able to offer academic credit for university students or college students wishing to obtain credit for their studies.

2. Universities In The Levant Are One Of The Best Places To Study Levantine/Shami Arabic 

Another great option to study Levantine/Shami Arabic or Ammiya Arabic is to enroll in a Levantine Arabic language program abroad at a university in the Levant. Studying Levantine Arabic abroad at a university in the Levant will give you a fun, immersive experience while getting to meet other like-minded students from around the world. This can be a great opportunity for university students seeking a study abroad experience and often you can obtain university credit for your studies at home. 

However, There Are Some Disadvantages

However, while the quality of Arabic instruction is of a high standard, these Levantine Arabic courses are usually not as flexible compared to our other best places to learn Levantine Arabic. They are usually only offered in a summer semester, autumn/fall term, or spring term and the curriculum is generally fixed, without room for the teacher to personalize the lessons to individual students. Additionally, these Levantine Arabic classes are usually taught in large groups, which may not be an ideal learning environment compared to small groups or one-on-one Arabic lessons.

3. The Internet Can Be One Of The Best Places To Study Levantine Arabic

If you are unable to travel to the Levant to study Levantine Arabic or would simply rather learn from home, online language courses are another one of the best places to study Levantine Arabic. There are several advantages, for example, your total costs are likely to be less as you do not have to pay for flights, travel insurance, and other travel-related expenses. 

Studying Online Arabic Language Courses

Additionally, studying online can be one of the best places to study Levantine Arabic because you will not have to take time off work or a holiday from your daily life to travel to study, which also means you can study for a longer period and you may wish to take several courses in one year. Studying Levantine Arabic online can be done from your home or anywhere else in the world, which is another key advantage, making it much easier to fit into your schedule. It also gives you access to tutors all around the world, so you are not limited by your location or theirs.

However, There Are Some Drawbacks…

However, there are some key drawbacks to studying online. Some students find studying a language online very convenient, while others find it much harder to learn and stay motivated online. It can be more difficult to communicate and connect with others online, which is a key disadvantage learning online has over learning in-person. Additionally, studying Levantine Arabic online also means you will miss out on the immersive environment and numerous opportunities to practice your Arabic in authentic everyday settings, compared to if you studied in-person in the Levant or Middle East. 

4. Private Language Tutors

Learning Levantine Arabic with a private language tutor is another great option, whether in-person or online, depending on your preferences and the tutor’s availability. This method of learning also allows you as the student to have much more one-on-one conversation with your tutor, giving you plenty of chances to practice speaking, something that often large group classes are unable to provide much of. The tutor will also be able to adjust their pace for the student to an optimal level and create a more immersive language learning environment, both of which will prevent the student from becoming bored or overwhelmed.

Many Advantages

Another key advantage of this approach in addition to those already mentioned, is that a private tutor can provide their student with a great degree of flexibility. The tutor can customize and tailor their lessons to meet the individual student’s current level, their needs, and goals. A one-on-one learning environment is ideal for many students of Levantine Arabic because it gives the chance for students to build their confidence, develop skills, and improve their Levantine Arabic ability quickly. 

However, Consider The Cost

Studying Levantine Arabic with a private tutor is also a great option for anyone who is unable to commit to a fixed class schedule and has the financial means to pay for a private tutor. However, if cost is a key consideration for you, studying with a private Levantine Arabic tutor may not be the best option for you as the cost is usually higher. 

Is Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Or Syria The Best Place To Study Shami/Levantine Arabic?

Let’s take a quick look at the countries in the Levant in terms of studying Levantine Arabic. Syria was once an amazing destination for tourism and a top destination for studying abroad and studying Levantine Arabic. However, the situation for the past decade has been very difficult, so we would not recommend going to Syria for a study abroad program or Arabic studies at this time. Lebanon has been experiencing severe financial and economic crises in recent years, and the Lebanese currency has dramatically weakened in value, leaving many locals unable to afford or access necessities. These are two key reasons we recommend that Jordan or Palestine are the best places to study Levantine Arabic. 

Jordan Or Palestine?

While both Jordan and Palestine have many similarities culturally and linguistically, there are a few key differences in terms of logistics. Firstly, to enter Jordan you will need to pay for a visa, with the cost usually being 40JOD (Jordanian Dinars) for a one-month visa which you can get upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport. Alternatively, you can apply in advance for a three-month visa for 60JOD. In contrast, when you study in Palestine you can fly into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and get a 90-day tourist visa for free upon arrival. Flights are also often much cheaper to/from Ben Gurion Airport compared to Queen Alia International Airport. 

On top of this, we recommend Palestine as the best place to study Levantine Arabic due to the incredibly friendly and hospitable locals, delicious Palestinian cuisine, the fact that it’s the Holy Land and it’s also less touristy in many places, which allows you to have a more authentic and immersive Arabic-language learning experience.  

Studying Levantine Arabic With Engage In Palestine In Hebron, Palestine

Engage in Palestine is a local Palestinian organization that is well-regarded and highly reviewed by its former participants and students, making it one of the best places to study Levantine Arabic. Engage in Palestine offers short-term intensive Arabic courses, in addition to a variety of volunteer programs, internships, and summer programs. With all of our programs, we aim to foster cultural connections and exchanges, as well as promote language learning and develop individuals and communities. During your time with us, you will not only be immersed in Palestinian culture and daily life but you will also get to meet other Arabic students, interns, and volunteers from all over the world.

The Ideal Levantine Arabic Language Program For You

Engage in Palestine has over 11 years of experience running volunteer programs and courses in the Arabic language which bring internationals and Palestinians together. We offer a very high standard of Arabic teaching in either a private one-on-one or small-group setting for anyone wishing to study Levantine, Shami, Ammiya, or Palestinian Arabic. 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, and our programs include several benefits and inclusions such as daily breakfast, accommodation, and excursions around Hebron. Engage in Palestine is also registered with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, allowing us to provide current university or college students with academic credit towards their studies. 

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, which are awarded based on the reviews from former participants. 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”. As you can see, Engage in Palestine is highly regarded as well as provides a very high standard of Arabic instruction, making it one of the best places and language schools to study Levantine Arabic.

Our Other Short Term Intensive Arabic Courses In The West Bank

At Engage in Palestine, we offer several different intensive Arabic courses in addition to our Shami/Levantine 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 runs our intensive Levantine Arabic programs all year round. Each course can last from as little as one week and up to 13 weeks, with students being free to decide their program duration. In addition, students are free to choose the date they wish to begin and end their intensive Levantine Arabic course.

In summer, we offer a series of four-week small-group intensive Levantine Arabic courses. Each of these courses will begin on the first of each month, from June through September, and last for four weeks. These are particularly ideal for university or college students looking for study abroad programs or summer courses in Arabic studies.

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. 

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.

Where Is Engage In Palestine?

Engage in Palestine is located in Hebron, one of the most culturally rich and ancient cities in Palestine, located in the south of the West Bank approximately 30km south of Jerusalem. Today Hebron is known as the commercial capital of the West Bank and 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’s 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.

Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic Courses

If you are contemplating studying intensive Levantine/Shami Arabic or Ammiya/Palestinian Arabic in the Levant, the Middle East, Palestine, Israel, or close to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, or Tel Aviv in summer, Engage in Palestine has the ideal summer Arabic study abroad programs for you! We provide a warm, welcoming, and immersive environment for all of our Arabic students, as well as top-notch Arabic instruction from knowledgeable and well-qualified native Arabic teachers in Hebron, Palestine. 

Summer Intensive Small Group Levantine Arabic Classes

In the summer months from June until September, we run special summer small-group intensive Levantine Arabic courses. Our summer short-term Arabic programs last for four weeks, beginning on the first day of each month. So you can spend up to three months of your summer, learning Shami/Levantine/Palestinian Arabic with us in Palestine! There is a three-month maximum duration due to the 90-day limit of the Israeli tourist visa needed to study Arabic in Palestine.

What Levels Are Our Levantine Arabic Summer Programs For?

We offer a variety of levels for our short-term summer intensive Levantine Arabic courses: Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. 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.

Learn In A Small Group Setting

In each lesson, there are typically 2 to 3 students, with a maximum of 5 students. We keep our class sizes small so our Arabic teachers can personalize the lessons and provide each student with lots of individual attention. This environment also allows students to have plenty of opportunities to communicate and debate with each other, allowing for a rapid development of a student’s skills and confidence. Studying in a small group also means you can get to know your classmates on a more personal basis and have people at the same level as you to practice and study with outside of the classroom.

Our Summer Intensive Arabic Programs Build Your Skills Rapidly

Our summer Arabic courses are immersive and intensive, providing the ideal environment for you to learn and advance your Arabic level 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. 

In addition to that, you will also be surrounded by native Levantine Arabic speakers at our center and in Hebron generally, which will give you countless opportunities to hear, use, and speak Levantine Arabic in an immersive and authentic setting. 

Spend Your Summer Learning More Than Just The Arabic Language

Spending your summer learning Levantine Arabic with us in Hebron, West Bank is a unique opportunity not only to acquire the Levantine Arabic dialect but also to learn about the culture and customs that are entwined with it. As part of your summer intensive Levantine Arabic program, 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.

Quick Facts About Our Intensive Levantine Arabic Immersion Programs 

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

Requirements To Study Levantine Arabic With Engage In Palestine

Our Levantine Intensive Arabic courses are open to anyone from any nationality, whether you are an advanced Arabic speaker or a first-time learner. However, there are three main criteria that we request from prospective Arabic students. The first is to be between 18-70 years old, although an exception is possible via communication with the 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. Thirdly, we ask all of our Arabic students to have a positive attitude, an open mind as well as an eagerness to learn.

Who Is Studying Levantine Arabic In Palestine Suitable For?

Studying Levantine Arabic in Palestine with Engage in Palestine is suitable for anyone with an interest in beginning or continuing their Arabic learning journey. You may be one or more of the following:

• Current university students looking to spend a semester abroad studying Levantine Arabic for academic credit
• Anyone looking for summer opportunities to study intensive Levantine 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 a Levantine Arabic-speaking country in the Middle East
• People who are social workers or otherwise work with refugees from the Levant, particularly Palestinian or Syrian refugees
• Anyone interested in immersive language learning or studying Levantine Arabic overseas
• Anyone who has previously studied Modern Standard Arabic or Fus’ha and now wants to learn a dialect of Arabic

The Impact Of Studying Levantine Arabic With Engage 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 Levantine Arabic with Engage in Palestine in Hebron, Palestine can have a meaningful impact on both the individual Arabic learner and the local Palestinian community. During your time in Hebron 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.

Benefits And Highlights When Studying Levantine Arabic In Palestine With Us

• We provide accommodation for you in Hebron and a Palestinian breakfast every day (except Fridays) at our center, shared with other participants and our staff.
• The chance to grow new friendships with other students, volunteers, and interns, as well as visitors, and local Palestinian residents, and Engage with Palestine’s staff.
• You can choose between a super-intensive, intensive, and non-intensive pace for your intensive Levantine Arabic program.
• Our Arabic classes are taught one-on-one or in small groups (2-5 students), all of which use up-to-date teaching techniques in an intensive learning environment.
• Engage in Palestine’s staff consists of highly qualified and attentive Arabic and English teachers with excellent educational backgrounds, who are eager and enthusiastic to assist you.
• 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.
• Pre-departure support and ongoing in-country support is available
• You can obtain academic credit towards your degree for currently enrolled university or college students.
• Upon completion of your short-term Levantine Arabic course, Engage in Palestine will provide you with a certificate.

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

Final Thoughts

Overall, Engage in Palestine is one of the best language schools in Palestine and the world offering intensive Arabic language programs. Our Arabic language courses are suitable for current students, graduates, professionals, retirees, those taking a gap year or sabbatical, those with Arab or Palestinian heritage, or anyone else wishing to begin or continue their Levantine Arabic language learning journey. Engage in Palestine provides very high-quality Arabic instruction provided by our supportive and well-qualified native Arabic teachers.

Additionally, our intensive Levantine Arabic programs also come with several inclusions such as accommodation, daily breakfast (except Fridays), ongoing support, and sightseeing trips around Hebron. Engage in Palestine offers summer intensive Levantine Arabic language programs in small groups as well as intensive Levantine Arabic courses throughout the rest of the year. We hope to welcome you to Engage in Palestine soon and be a part of your Levantine 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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