Join our premier language program to study Palestinian Arabic! Salam Palestine has a strong reputation as one of Palestine’s top Arabic language schools. Our strategic location in Hebron, an affordable and bustling city in the West Bank, provides an ideal atmosphere for learning the Palestinian/Levantine Arabic dialect, which people speak in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan.
Explore our intensive Palestinian Arabic Immersion Program, a special chance to learn everyday Palestinian Arabic. You’ll connect with people from the Palestinian diaspora, and experience the diverse culture of Palestine and the broader Levant region. This intensive Arabic program is also for those interested in learning about the region’s history and Palestinian culture, and for those who want to understand what’s happening in Palestine today while building real and meaningful relationships with the Palestinian people and community.
Year-round and Range from 1-13 Weeks
Our Intensive Palestinian Arabic classes are available year-round and range from one week to three months (this includes Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring semesters). If you are looking for an intensive Palestinian Arabic course near Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the West Bank, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, or anywhere in the Middle East, we will accommodate your specific needs. You are free to choose the timings, level of studies, and any learning preferences you may have to meet your language needs/personal interests.
What Do You Get from Salam Palestine?
Included in your Study Palestinian Arabic Program are:
- Assistance from skilled, attentive Arabic teachers. Each one has a strong and extensive educational background
- All required books and study materials (specific to your language learning needs)
- A family atmosphere and the chance to experience the famous Palestinian hospitality
- Students, interns, volunteers, and staff members gather for a traditional Palestinian breakfast (six days a week).
- Experiencing firsthand, one of the most politically divided and ambiguous places in The Middle East.
- Excursions to various sites throughout Hebron (including Palestinian refugee camps, the old city, different factories, businesses, municipal, health/educational offices, media, and more).
- Pre-departure and post-departure assistance
- Living accommodation in a shared flat or with a Palestinian host family
- A certificate upon completion
As an international student studying Arabic in Palestine, you will have many opportunities to meet Palestinian university/school students. You will also meet members of the Hebron community and local organizations.
Explore World Tourist Sights
Explore world-renowned tourist sights from a local’s point of view. This includes Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho. You will also have the opportunity to travel during the weekends to historic cities in Israel such as Jerusalem, Akko, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Tiberias, Nazareth, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Masada, and more.
You will also have the option to travel throughout Jordan’s ancient sites in Petra, Amman, Wadi Rum, Irbid, and Aqaba. There are endless wonders to explore and discover!
Why Study Palestinian Colloquial Arabic?
If you enroll in our Palestinian Arabic Language Program (in the West Bank) you will be able to learn the colloquial Palestinian dialect of Arabic. This will create the opportunity to connect deeper with the larger Palestinian diaspora and immerse yourself in the unique culture of Palestine/ the Levant.
Our Palestinian-intensive Arabic immersion programs suit anyone eager to explore the region’s history and culture. You’ll develop a deep understanding of the current situation in Palestine while forming authentic relationships with others. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just a language enthusiast, our short-term intensive Arabic programs can help you reach your specific goals and dreams.
Palestinian Arabic For Each Level
We offer courses in Palestinian Colloquial Arabic at every level (Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced). At each of these levels, we offer the option of intensive or non-intensive study/lessons. Language classes are held every day except Friday (The center is closed on Fridays).
The specific level and intensity of the Arabic program will dictate your schedule. In general, non-intensive programs have three classes per week, while intensive programs have five classes per week. Those who choose to work with Salam Palestine as a volunteer or through a community service role will have the opportunity to have three hours of free intensive Arabic courses every week.
Great Reviews and Community Awards
Since 2011, the Excellence Center/Salam Palestine has welcomed visitors from all around the world. Even though we are constantly improving our programs to deliver the finest learning experience possible, our core objective remains unchanged: to connect, teach, and develop individuals. Additionally, to promote/encourage exchange in the local and international communities.
We continue to strive towards “excellence”:
In 2022, we were rated as “one of the top three organizations worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities” AND “one of the top three language schools worldwide” by Go Overseas. We also received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards. The Excellence Center/Salam Palestine was recognized as one of the top “Teach Abroad Providers” for the category of “benefits” and as one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
In 2021, we were named 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” which recognized The Excellence Center’s positive effect on the global travel community.
We are a highly rated travel Palestinian organization. We are highly acclaimed throughout the world! Check out our plethora of positive feedback here:
- +748 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on Gooverseas.com
- +150 Reviews and ratings (91%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Completely Immersed Experience
To provide students with a completely immersive experience, the Salam Palestine places them with a Palestinian host family throughout their time in Hebron. This ensures that students use Arabic daily by extending their education outside of the classroom and into daily life. Staying with a host family also provides students with a unique opportunity to experience Palestinian culture and daily living firsthand.
The Study Palestinian Arabic Program is suitable for ALL (students, recent graduates, working adults, retirees, and anyone in between). Whether you want to learn more about Palestine/the Levant, travel around the region, advance your professional career, explore your heritage, or simply broaden your knowledge, this program will be entertaining as well as instructive.
We especially encourage university students to apply because Salam Palestine collaborates with the Palestinian Educational Authority to offer academic credit.
What Makes Palestinian Colloquial Arabic Special?
Palestinian Arabic is a distinct regional dialect of Arabic that is native to Palestine and the wider Palestinian diaspora. With over 13 million native speakers worldwide, it is one of the most widely spoken and recognizable dialects of Arabic.
The Palestinian dialect is a sub-dialect of Levantine Arabic, which is spoken throughout the Levant region. The Levant encompasses a broad geographical area that includes Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. In broader definitions, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, and a small portion of Iraq. Situated in the Eastern Mediterranean of the Middle East, the Levant is home to a diverse population of 44.5 million people with a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities.
Variants of Palestinian Dialects
While being a sub-dialect of Levantine Arabic (Shami Arabic), Palestinian Colloquial Arabic can vary considerably (even within villages). Palestinians’ regional and social backgrounds have a significant impact on the dialect they speak.
Urban (madani), rural (falahi), and bedouin Palestinian dialects are the three primary dialects. Even with these variations/sub-dialects that make up Levantine Arabic, spoken Palestinian Arabic is still easily distinguishable throughout the Arab diaspora and in all Arabic-speaking nations.
- Madani: Palestinian Urban Dialect.
The urban dialect of Palestine (Madani) is similar to the northern Levantine Arabic that is spoken in Lebanon and Syria. The “hamza” pronunciation of the Arabic “qaf” sound makes the urban accent most famous.
- Falahi: Palestinian Rural Dialect
This type of Arabic is spoken by farmers or peasants (falahi) and has a close connection with rural dialects in Lebanon and the outer southern Levant. Male and female plural pronouns may be easily distinguished from one another.
- Bedouin: Old Palestinian Arabic
Native to the deserts of the Middle East, Bedouin Arabic is most commonly seen/heard within some villages in the Gaza Strip, Hebron, and Jerusalem. It is fairly simple to distinguish them from any other dialect in Palestine because of their distinctive vocabulary. Also, their preservation of interdental consonants. The Bedouin dialect is the oldest in the region and is still used and spoken by Bedouins today.
Why Learn Palestinian Arabic?
Palestine has one of the richest and most diverse cultures in the world. This is thanks to its long history, unique geographic location, and religious significance. The region has been home to at least five major empires and sits at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Palestinian Colloquial Arabic is widely spoken and highly regarded due to the area’s significance.
In addition to its vast cultural importance, Palestinian Arabic is an ideal dialect for those interested in reading Arabic literature or using it for professional purposes. This is because it shares many similarities with Modern Standard Arabic (the formal version used for writing and official communication). Learning Palestinian Arabic is also an excellent way to authentically integrate into the Arabic-speaking community, regardless of one’s background or situation.
Learning Palestinian Arabic Has Many Advantages:
- Gain knowledge of one of the most spoken and understood Arabic dialects.
- You will be able to travel around the Levant with ease while forging genuine relationships.
- The language can help you understand significantly more about Palestine’s complex history and culture.
General Information about Palestinian Arabic
| Number of Palestinian Speakers | Approximately 13 million |
| Language Family | Afro-Asiatic > Semitic |
| Dialects | Fellahi Madani |
| Writing system | Arabic alphabet |
Specific Course Information
The Study Palestinian Arabic Program offers 4 different course levels. The range/flexibility of our Palestinian Arabic Language courses is designed to provide students with the widest possible range of learning alternatives, while also being specially crafted to meet your exact language requirements.
Our Intensive Palestinian Arabic Courses are all created to fully immerse students in the Arabic language/culture while also preparing them for the lifelong endeavor of acquiring a second language! You may see a list of the courses offered in this program below.
| Palestinian Arabic Course Level | Elementary Beginner Intermediate Advanced |
| Pace | Super Intensive Intensive Non-intensive |
| Style | Private in-person Small group Online virtual |
Palestinian Colloquial Arabic Course Levels On Offer
1. Beginner
Students with absolutely no prior knowledge of the Arabic language are ideal for this course. The Arabic alphabet, writing systems, principles of grammar, phonetics, common vocabulary, and everyday expressions are just a few of the key components that this course will present. This course will provide students with a strong linguistic foundation to learn spoken Palestinian Arabic. Furthermore, you will begin your journey into the rich, diverse, and continuously evolving world of spoken Palestinian Arabic.
2. Elementary
This Palestinian Arabic course aims to build on the student’s existing understanding of the Arabic language at a fundamental level. This calls for the inclusion of new vocabulary, a mix of grammatical rules that are slightly more sophisticated, in addition to frequent reading, writing, and speaking assignments.
Students who complete this course will be able to communicate, read, and write about everyday topics including shopping, asking for directions, and expressing preferences. This is an excellent option for those who have taken beginner Arabic classes before but wish to focus on learning the Palestinian dialect.
3. Intermediate
We will introduce students to a more intensive curriculum, which includes traveling to the Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron for interaction with locals and daily tasks. Students will have the opportunity to make purchases from a Palestinian market, place restaurant orders, express their opinions on various topics, and participate in other informal activities. Moreover, we will introduce students to themes such as politics, art, and culture, equipping them with the necessary terminology to engage in informed discussions on these subjects
4. Advanced
This Palestinian Arabic course will incorporate all of the previous course curricula, retaining the immersive aspect of the Intermediate level while also extending into more advanced reading, writing, and spoken content. In addition, students will perform research on several topics throughout the community of Hebron. Students will be able to build a strong grasp of grammatical proficiency in Palestinian Colloquial Arabic by combining all of these approaches and materials. After completing this course, students will be able to explain their views/opinions on difficult issues including politics, history, the environment, and Palestinian art.
What is the Difference Between Course Intensities?
All our Palestinian Arabic course levels at Language School are offered in a variety of intensities. This affects the frequency of lessons, the level of immersion, and the amount of out-of-classroom coursework.
- Non-intensive Palestinian Arabic classes meet for a total of 12 hours each week, with 3 hours of study per day (three days per week). This intensity is intended to provide you with ample in-class immersion while also allowing you to thoroughly explore the city of Hebron. Students interested in a long-term program (anything from 1 to 3 months) are recommended to enroll in a non-intensive Arabic course.
- Following that, the intense Palestinian Arabic course is meant to further immerse you in the Arabic language and culture; these sessions are 20 hours per week, with around 4 hours of Arabic language teaching per day (5 days per week). Intensive Arabic courses will also include extra homework and out-of-class assignments.
- The super-intensive Palestinian Arabic program (the third and final course level) is for people who seek an immersed, high-intensity classroom-oriented experience. These courses offer a total of 30 hours of Arabic lessons per week, with 5 hours of language teaching per day (5 days per week). We normally suggest super intense courses to students enrolled in short-term Arabic programs because of the increased study load, (1 – 4 weeks).
General Information Regarding Palestinian Arabic Courses
| Palestinian Arabic Courses | Super-Intensive Program | Intensive Program | Non-Intensive Program |
| Program Duration | 1-13 weeks | 1-13 weeks | 1-13 weeks |
| Lessons Per Month | 30 | 20 | 12 |
| Days Per Week | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Lesson Duration | 45 minutes | 45 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Average Class Size | 1-3 students | 1-3 students | 1-3 students |
| Maximum Class Size | 3 students | 3 students | 3 students |
| Program Levels | Beginner Elementary Intermediate Advanced | Beginner Elementary Intermediate Advanced | Beginner Elementary Intermediate Advanced |
| Lesson Periods | Morning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00 | Morning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00 | Morning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00 |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline | No Deadline | No Deadline |
| Start/End Dates | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible |
| Program Fee Per Week | 700€ | 450€ | 370€ |
| University Credit | Available | Available | Available |
- 45-minute lesson
- Registration fee: 30€, payable at the time of registration.
- Books and booklets for study: Free
- Free placement test
- Completion certificate
- Breakfast, lodging, Arabic instruction, and excursions to several institutions in Hebron are all included in the fees. Trips to the historic city of Hebron, for example, may include visits to glass and ceramic manufacturers, local businesses, local municipal offices, health institutions, refugee camps, and public parks, as well as local colleges such as Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University.
Summer Palestinian Arabic Programs
We offer a Summer Palestinian Arabic Language Program in Hebron, West Bank. This program runs from June to late September, allowing participants to choose when they want to join. The program starts on the 1st day of each month (June, July, August, and September) and has three 4-week sessions. This allows participants to spend up to three months studying and living in Palestine.
The Summer Palestinian Arabic Language Program is ideal for those seeking an intensive Arabic course during the summer in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East in general. Whether you’re interested in Arabic for personal, professional, or academic reasons, our program is designed for you. We offer super-intensive and intensive immersion summer programs in dialects such as Levantine (Ammiya) and Palestinian colloquial Arabic, providing you with the opportunity to improve your Arabic language skills while immersing yourself in Palestinian culture.
Online Palestinian Arabic Programs
We offer both intensive and non-intensive online courses in Palestinian Arabic, taught by certified Palestinian teachers and instructors. To learn more about these programs, you can follow this link: Levantine and Palestinian Arabic online lessons.
Studying Palestinian Arabic online is an excellent way to connect with the wider Palestinian diaspora and immerse yourself in the diverse culture of Palestine. With approximately 13 million speakers worldwide, Palestinian Arabic is one of the most widely spoken and recognizable dialects of Arabic.
Although Palestinian Arabic is a sub-dialect of Levantine Arabic (Ammiya Arabic), it can vary between villages and has further variations originating from rural Fellahi and Bedouin tribes, as well as urban Madani tribes. Despite these many variants and sub-dialects, Palestinian Arabic remains recognizable throughout Arabic-speaking countries and the Arab diaspora.
Studying Palestinian Arabic online allows you to learn the Palestinian dialect with one of our qualified teachers, practice with other Arabic students, and advance through the various levels of tuition available to you, allowing you to further improve your Arabic skills.
Which Course is for Me?
We provide a complimentary placement exam to evaluate students’ proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in Arabic. If you are unsure which course to enroll in, we highly recommend taking the exam.
If you have any questions about the level of difficulty or intensity of our courses, we are more than happy to speak with you. You can find our contact information, Facebook page, and links to our other social media pages at the bottom of this page.
Qualified Teachers
We take pride in the fact that all of its Arabic instructors and employees are native Palestinian Arabic speakers. Additionally, many of our instructors hold degrees in subjects related to teaching non-native speakers of Arabic, such as teaching Arabic as a second language, Arabic cultural studies, Arabic literary studies, and more.
We believe that this combination of native fluency and specialized expertise provides our students with a well-rounded and effective learning experience.
Are the Courses Taught in English?
The straightforward answer is yes, all our Arabic courses cater to English speakers. Nevertheless, as you progress to higher course levels, English will be used less in the classroom to encourage immersion.
Please remember that for a completely immersive experience, students should make the most of their Arabic skills and personal abilities when navigating Hebron.
In Conclusion
Our Intensive Palestinian Arabic program in Hebron, Palestine is for anyone who wishes to study spoken Palestinian Arabic, gain a deeper understanding of Palestinian history and culture, and live in the vibrant and bustling Palestinian city of Hebron, West Bank. This intensive Arabic program offers a life-changing and enlightening experience as it allows you to formally learn Ammiya Arabic while staying with a Palestinian host family
Studying in Palestine in the West Bank offers a unique opportunity for those who want to learn Arabic, connect with the wider Palestinian diaspora, and fully immerse themselves in the unique customs and culture of Palestine and the Levant. These programs are ideal for individuals who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation in Palestine, learn more about the region’s rich history and culture, and build more meaningful connections.
How To Apply
If you would like to join our program, please email Info@ecpalestine.org with the subject line “Intensive Palestinian Arabic Program.”
We will respond to your initial query within one to two business days and attach an application form. To begin the onboarding process, please complete the form and return it to us.
Related Arabic Programs
Find us online
Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
Website: https://ecpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
The Excellence Center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Excellence Center’s Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron
Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
