Study Levantine Arabic: If you’re interested in learning Shami Arabic (Ammiya), Levantine Colloquial Arabic, or Modern Standard Arabic, then Salam Palestine is for you! We offer several options, including super-intensive, intensive, and non-intensive Arabic immersion courses. Salam Palestine welcomes all who are seeking to learn this beautiful language and immerse themselves in the exquisite Palestinian culture. Whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, professional, or retiree, our Arabic language programs are for everyone.

Our courses are also available at all levels of Levantine Arabic. If you are a current college or university student, we can even provide you with academic credit towards your studies! Throughout your specific Arabic program, you will also immerse yourself in the Palestinian culture and daily life. You will get to experience Palestinian cuisine, culture, history, the political situation, and MUCH more. You will also have the opportunity to meet like-minded people from around the world as we host several international volunteers and students. Additionally, we arrange regular sightseeing trips around the breathtaking city of Hebron, West Bank.

Levantine Colloquial Arabic Immersion Classes

This course can span from one week to three months and runs year-round. We also offer a four-week intensive Levantine course in a small group setting during the Summer. We are very flexible in accommodating any of your needs.

Levantine Arabic Courses

The Center’s Levantine Arabic courses teach daily colloquial tasks, covering idioms and phrases. Students learn speaking, writing, reading, and listening with Levantine phonetics. Topics tailored for conversation are included based on the course level. Choose from four difficulty levels: beginner, elementary, intermediate, and advanced.

Formats include intensive, super-intensive, and non-intensive, differing in weekly instruction hours and degrees of cultural immersion. Courses by Salam Palestine are year-round with no set deadlines, allowing flexibility in starting your Levantine journey.

Intensive Arabic Language Course

Salam Palestine offers unparalleled intensive Arabic courses in Hebron, Palestine, creating a full immersion experience. Its prime location enables daily engagement with the Arabic language. The Levantine Colloquial Arabic course employs immersion for rapid skill development, integrating classroom study with daily life. Residents can easily explore Palestine and the broader Levant region.

Studying Arabic at Salam Palestine provides a unique chance to live with a Palestinian host family, offering insights into culture and customs. Note that host family stays are a guarantee only for female students and are subject to availability for males due to gender-based spheres in Hebron’s community. This opportunity fosters not only language practice but also an intimate understanding of Palestinian life.

What is the Levant and Levantine Arabic? 

The Levant, a geohistorical term denoting the Eastern Mediterranean of western Asia, encompasses Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and more. Its population of about 44.5 million comprises diverse cultures and ethnicities, including Arabic, Aramaic, Armenian, and others.

Situated in the Fertile Crescent, the Levant’s strategic location connected Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, fostering a melting pot shaped by civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. These influences persist today. Learning Levantine Arabic unveils the region’s rich history and cultural blend, providing access to its diverse world and the wider Arab diaspora.

What is Levantine Arabic? 

Levantine, also known as Shami due to the Arabic word for the Levant being “Sham,” is a major Arabic dialect alongside Egyptian. With around 38 million native speakers in the Levant and the Arab diaspora, it’s widely taught to non-natives and understood across Arabic-speaking nations. Levantine is closely related to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), sharing about 50% of its vocabulary, making it highly recognizable.

What are the Levantine Subdialects? 

Levantine Arabic sub-dialects split into northern and southern groups. North Levantine, or Syro-Lebanese Arabic, is found in Lebanon, the northern Levant countries, Turkey’s coastal areas, and parts of Syria. Southern Levantine is spoken in Palestine, Jordan, and southern Syria, mainly in the Hauran region.

General Information About Levantine Arabic 

Number of SpeakersApproximately 44 Million 
Language FamilyAfro-Asiatic > Semitic
DialectsNorth LevantineSouth Levantine 
Writing SystemArabic alphabet

Are the Courses in English? 

The short answer is yes, all of our Levantine Arabic courses are for English speakers. However, for the sake of immersion, the higher the course level, the less English will be present in the classroom.

Please also keep in mind that when navigating through Hebron, students will need to utilize their Arabic and rely on their skills to the best of their ability, thereby creating a fully immersive experience.  

Specific Course Information

The Study Levantine Arabic Program is available in 4 distinct course levels, with course loads offered in either intensive, super-intensive, or non-intensive for each. The variety of Levantine Arabic courses is designed to give students the maximum amount of learning options, all while being tailored to fit their specific language needs.

Each Levantine Colloquial Arabic course offered by Salam Palestine is designed to immerse students in Arabic language and culture, as well as prepare them for the lifelong process of learning another language! Below you may find the list of courses available in this program.

Course LevelBeginner
 Elementary
 Intermediate
 Advanced
PaceNon-intensive
 Intensive
 Super-intensive
StylePrivate in-person
Online virtual

You can read more about the course levels and paces below.

Arabic Course Levels on Offer 

Salam Palestine provides the following Levantine Arabic courses

Levantine Arabic Intensive ProgramSummer Levantine Arabic Courses
Arabic (Colloquial Levantine) Beginners CourseOnline Levantine Arabic Programs

1. Beginner 

The Beginner course is designed for students with absolutely no previous Arabic language experience of any kind. This course will introduce students to basic concepts, including the Arabic alphabet, writing systems, grammar fundamentals, phonetics, and common vocabulary and colloquial phrases.

The Beginner Levantine Arabic will create a strong linguistic foundation from which students may leap into the diverse, complex, and ever-expanding world of the Levant. 

2. Elementary

The goal of this course is to continue where the previous course left off, building on students’ foundational Arabic language knowledge. This entails the introduction of new vocabulary and slightly more complex grammatical rules into the curriculum, as well as regular reading, writing, and speaking exercises.

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to converse, read, and write about elementary subjects such as shopping, asking for directions, and expressing preferences.

3. Intermediate

The intermediate course will introduce students to a more immersive curriculum than the previous levels; this will entail venturing into the Palestinian community of Hebron to communicate with native speakers and complete everyday tasks.

For example, students will get the chance to purchase items from a Palestinian market, order from a restaurant, discuss preferences about a certain topic, or do other colloquial activities. Students will also be introduced to subjects in class that touch upon specific issues such as culture, art, and politics, and will learn the vocabulary needed to further converse about these topics in a concise and well-informed manner. 

4. Advanced

This course will combine all the previous courses’ curricula, maintaining the immersive nature of the Intermediate level while also expanding into complex reading, writing, and spoken materials. Additionally, students will conduct research in the community of Hebron on a variety of subjects.

With all these methods and materials combined, students will be able to establish a firm understanding and grammatical competency of Levantine Arabic. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to articulate their thoughts and opinions on complex matters such as politics, history, the environment, and the arts of Palestine. 

What is the Difference Between the Paces?  

Not to be mistaken with course level itself, course intensities refer to the number of classes, the frequency at which classes are held, as well as their level of immersion and the amount of assigned homework.

1. Non-intensive Course

If you are interested in a long-term program of 1-3 months, we recommend students enroll in a non-intensive course, which will provide you with plenty of in-class instruction(4 lesson hours* per day, 3 days a week) while still leaving ample time to explore the city of Hebron and immerse yourself in Palestinian culture.

2. Intensive Course

The intensive course is designed to further immerse students in the Arabic language and culture. These courses are held 5 days a week for approximately 4 lesson hours* each day, giving a total of about 20 lesson hours* of instruction per week. Intensive Arabic courses will also add additional homework and out-of-classroom assignments for participants. 

3. Super-intensive Course

Finally, our super-intensive courses are designed for students who are looking for an accelerated Arabic course in a completely immersive, high-intensity classroom setting. Super-intensive Arabic courses are conducted 5 days a week at 6 lesson hours* of instruction per day, totaling approximately 30 lesson hours* per week. We recommend that those studying for less than a month enroll in this program. 

* Please note that 1 lesson hour = 45 minutes.

Our Courses

We offer a diverse range of Arabic language programs tailored to meet the unique needs and interests of our students. Whether you are looking for intensive on-site courses, specialized programs focusing on media or politics, or the flexibility of online learning, we have something for everyone. Below, you will find detailed tables outlining our course offerings, designed to help you choose the program that best fits your goals and schedule. Dive into our course options and start your journey towards mastering the Arabic language today.

Studying Arabic Programs

Intensive Arabic Courses (1-13 Weeks)Intensive Levantine Arabic
Intensive Palestinian ArabicIntensive Modern Standard Arabic
Summer Intensive Arabic programOnline Arabic Classes

Online Courses

Online Arabic ClassesOnline Course on Palestinian Refugees
Online Course on Human RightsStudy Palestinian Arabic Online
Online Course on Palestinian Law

Which Arabic Course is for Me? 

If you are having difficulty deciding in which course to enroll, Salam Palestine offers a free placement test to evaluate students’ Arabic language skills in 4 crucial areas: speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

We are always happy to consult with you if you have any questions regarding course levels or intensity. Our contact information is available at the bottom of the page.

Study Levantine Colloquial Arabic in Summer

Summer is the peak period at Salam Palestine, bustling with international students and volunteers. From late June to September, our Levantine Colloquial Arabic courses follow a unique format. New four-week intensive courses start on the first of each month (July, August, September), offering 4-6 daily Arabic lesson hours, five days weekly, totaling 80 lesson hours per month. You can immerse yourself for up to three months.

Choose your level or take a placement test upon arrival for accurate placement. Levels range from Beginner to Advanced. Small groups of 2-5 students ensure collaborative learning in and out of class. Enjoy two days off (Friday and Saturday) for travel and exploration, and connect with fellow students and volunteers.

Beyond lessons, our sightseeing trips immerse you in Palestinian culture, history, and daily life in Hebron. University students seeking summer Arabic learning, whether for credit or personal enrichment, find our programs ideal. Academic credit is available through our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education.

Applications for our summer Arabic Program in Palestine close on May 30th each year, though inquiries about availability are welcome anytime. The fee for each four-week summer course is 1750€ per person. Join us to enhance your Arabic skills and experience vibrant Palestinian culture firsthand.

Are There Any Criteria for this Program? 

There are only three main criteria we request from participants, the first being that students enrolled in the Study Levantine Arabic Program are between the ages of 18 and 70; however, this age restriction may be waived if granted special permission by the Center’s director.

Additionally, we require all prospective students to have colloquial knowledge of English and/or Arabic, since these are the primary languages used during the program. Finally, we ask all participants to have a positive attitude, an open mind, and an eagerness to learn. 

General Criteria For Participants: 

  • 18-70 years of age (unless granted special permission by the Center’s director)
  • Colloquial fluency in Arabic and/or English
  • A positive outlook to foster constructive learning

General Information Regarding Levantine Arabic Courses

Colloquial Levantine Arabic CoursesSuper-Intensive ProgramIntensive ProgramNon-Intensive Program
Program Duration1-13 weeks1-13 weeks1-13 weeks
Lessons per week302012
Days Per Week553
Lesson Duration45 minutes45 minutes45 minutes
Average Class Size1-3 students1-3 students1-3 students
Maximum Class Size3 students3 students3 students
Program LevelsBeginner
Elementary Intermediate
Advanced
Beginner
Elementary Intermediate
Advanced
Beginner
Elementary Intermediate
Advanced
Lesson PeriodsMorning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00Morning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00Morning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00
Application DeadlineNo DeadlineNo DeadlineNo Deadline
Start/End DatesFlexibleFlexibleFlexible
Program Fee Per Week700€ (Confirm Prices Here)450€ (Confirm Prices Here)370€ (Confirm Prices Here)
University CreditAvailableAvailableAvailable

Additional Pertinent Information

  • 30€ one-time registration fee
  • No charge for study materials, including books 
  • Free placement test
  • Certificate of completion
  • The monthly program fee covers:
    • Arabic courses
    • Breakfast (Sat – Thur)
    • Housing
    • Operational costs
    • Center-led excursions in Hebron
      • Visits may include the old city of Hebron, glass and ceramics factories, local companies, and refugee camps, as well as local universities such as the Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University

Reviews and Awards

Salam Palestine has been honored with several prestigious Community Awards and recognized as the Best Language School and Top Volunteer and Internship Program Provider for 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. For more details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.

How to Apply?

If you want to participate in our Study Levantine Arabic Program, please write to us at Info@ecpalestine.org. We will respond to your initial inquiry within 1-2 business days. In the subject line of your email, please write “Study Levantine Arabic,”. We will reply with an application form attached. Please fill this out and return it to us to begin the onboarding process. Shukran (Thank you)!

Summary

Salam Palestine’s Study Levantine Arabic program offers a transformative experience for those seeking spoken Arabic proficiency, cultural immersion, and vibrant Palestinian city life. Our unique approach extends beyond classrooms, integrating diverse Arabic learning opportunities with real-world usage. This immersive Levantine Arabic course caters to students of all backgrounds, including university students who can earn academic credit.

Beyond Arabic classes, you will step deep into Palestinian culture and daily life, with free days to explore and organized visits to key sites. Interact with international peers and embrace a flexible Intensive Arabic course, available for 1-13 weeks year-round. Join our Hebron family, apply today, and embark on your linguistic journey!

Contact Us

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate 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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