The Study Palestinian Arabic Immersion Program is a great opportunity for those wishing to learn the colloquial Palestinian dialect of Arabic, connect with the wider Palestinian diaspora, and immerse themselves in the diverse culture of Palestine and the greater Levant. Learn Arabic in Palestine offers courses at four different levels and three different intensities, depending on your needs.
Our Study Palestinian Arabic immersion program is also ideal for those who would like to learn about this region’s rich history and culture or who wish to better understand Palestine’s contemporary situation. Another benefit of this program is that it is also a good opportunity for building relationships; students may even get to reside with a Palestinian host family for a fuller immersion into the culture and life of Palestinians.
What is Palestinian Arabic?
Palestinian Arabic is a colloquial (‘Ammiyya) dialect native to Palestine as well as the wider Palestinian diaspora. It is a sub-dialect of Levantine Arabic, the colloquial variant of Arabic spoken throughout the Levant. This region is located in the Eastern Mediterranean part of the Middle East and includes Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, though broader definitions may also include Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, and a small portion of Iraq.
With approximately 13 million native speakers worldwide, Palestinian ‘Ammiyya is one of the most widely-spoken and recognizable dialects of Arabic. ‘Ammiyya is a term that refers to the regional varieties or vernaculars across the Arab world used for everyday speaking situations. In fact, ‘Ammiyya is the first language of every Arab, as they later acquire Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) in school. Unlike MSA, ‘Ammiyya does not adhere to the strict rules of grammar and word order and often loses other structured linguistic features.
Why Study Palestinian Arabic?
The culture of Palestine is rich and diverse due to its long history, geographical position, and religious significance. Palestine lies at a crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean, and has been host to at least 5 major empires. Because of its significance in one of the most influential regions in the world, Palestinian Arabic is widely spoken and understood.
Palestinian Arabic also closely resembles Modern Standard Arabic – the standard form used for writing and official purposes – making this dialect ideal for those wishing to study written Arabic or to use Arabic in professional environments. Either way, learning Palestinian Arabic is an ideal means of gaining a foothold in the Arabic-speaking world.
Semester Programs in Palestinian Arabic
Intensive Semester Programs in Palestinian Arabic should appeal to a wide spectrum of participants, with students, young professionals, and retirees being just some of the likely interest groups. Our Study Palestinian Arabic Program Immersion Program is ideal for university students seeking an immersive Arabic language program and cultural experience for a semester abroad. It can also be a great way to rapidly improve your Arabic abilities if you are searching for internship opportunities in the future in an Arabic-speaking context.
Additionally, Learn Arabic in Palestine can provide academic credit through our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, so we especially encourage university students to apply.
How Do We Conduct Classes?
Learn Arabic in Palestine offers international students Arabic classes that are second to none, creating a completely immersive experience for its participants. We can provide this due in part to our prime location in the bustling center of Hebron, which allows participants to intimately engage with the Arabic language daily.
We ensure students quickly build their Arabic skills by using the immersion methodology of language acquisition, reinforcing formal studies with daily use of the language outside the classroom.
Furthermore, we cater to the diversity of our volunteers by personalizing classes, offering them one-on-one or in small groups, depending on availability. Scheduling depends on the level and intensity of the selected program. Generally, courses are five days a week for intensive study and three days a week for non-intensive programs.
Start and End Dates
Classes at Learn Arabic in Palestine are available year-round, for any timeframe from one week to three months. However, many students choose the summertime to take language courses in Arabic-speaking countries.
Intensive Palestinian Arabic Summer Study
For an immersive Arabic experience, Learn Arabic in Palestine offers the Intensive Study Palestinian Arabic Program Summer program, which includes intensive Arabic courses in addition to non-intensive classes of another study.
This is perfect for students on a summer break seeking an opportunity to study abroad from June through August. It is also a very beneficial program to take to quickly develop your Arabic abilities if you wish to pursue internship opportunities in the future and need to speak Arabic.
Palestinian (Ammiya) Arabic Winter programs
While summer study programs are indeed more popular, Learn Arabic in Palestine also offers Intensive Palestinian (Ammiya) Arabic Winter programs. Students who wish to improve their Arabic through an accredited study abroad program for four weeks during the winter break will find our December and January sessions to be the ideal opportunity to do just that.
Are the Courses in English?
Yes – all of our Palestinian Arabic classes are geared towards English speakers. However, for the sake of immersion, the higher the course level, the less English will be utilized in the classroom. Please also keep in mind that while Learn Arabic in Palestine’s center is geared toward English speakers, the city of Hebron is predominantly Arabic-speaking. 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.
Qualified Teachers
Learn Arabic in Palestine prides itself on its faculty and staff, all of whom are native Palestinian Arabic speakers. Many of our teachers also have degrees in related fields such as Teaching Arabic to Non-native Speakers, Teaching Arabic as a Second Language, Arabic Cultural Studies, Arabic Literary Studies, and many more.
Essential to our intensive Arabic language courses is participation in lively class conversations. We employ a communicative approach and limit class size to five students, leaving ample opportunity for discussion and inclusive participation, as well as for receiving individual attention from Arabic teachers.
Palestinian Arabic Course Level
- Beginner: This course is designed for students with no previous Arabic language experience of any kind. This course will introduce students to basic concepts, such as the Arabic alphabet, writing systems, fundamentals of grammar, phonetics, vocabulary, and common colloquial phrases. The Beginners course will create a strong linguistic foundation from which students can work into more advanced courses.
- Elementary: This course continues where the previous course left off, building on the student’s foundational Arabic language knowledge. This entails introducing new vocabulary and slightly more complex grammatical rules into the curriculum, as well as regular reading, writing, and speaking exercises. Upon completion, students will be able to converse, read, and write about elementary subjects such as shopping, asking for directions, and expressing preferences.
- 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. Students may be instructed to purchase items from a Palestinian market, order from a restaurant, and discuss preferences on a certain topic as well as other activities. Students will also be introduced to subjects that touch upon specific issues such as culture, art, and politics, and will learn the vocabulary needed to converse about these topics in a concise and well-informed manner.
- Advanced: This course maintains the immersive nature of the intermediate level while expanding into more complex reading, writing, and spoken materials. Additionally, students will conduct research in the community of Hebron on a variety of subjects. Students will be able to establish a firm understanding of and grammatical competence in Palestinian 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.
Course Intensity Options
- Non-Intensive: This course load would mean students spend approximately 12 hours per week in Arabic classes. We recommend that students who are interested in a long-term program with a duration of 2-3 months enroll in our Non-Intensive course. This will provide you with plenty of in-class instruction while still leaving ample time to explore the city of Hebron and immerse yourself in Palestinian culture when not completing homework.
- Intensive: This course load would mean students spend about 20 hours per week in Arabic classes with additional assigned homework and extracurricular activities on top. For those looking to study for a month or less, we recommend enrolling in our Intensive courses.
- Super Intensive: This course load includes up to 30 hours of in-class Arabic lessons per week. This intensity is for those looking for a challenge, and for anyone who wants to make great gains in their language abilities. However, this does not account for the extra-curricular activities for which Learn Arabic in Palestine is well known, and may be an overwhelming study load for some. There is no doubt you will leave Palestine with an accentuated and advanced knowledge of Arabic after this course.
Which Course is for Me?
If you are having difficulty deciding on which course level to enroll in, Learn Arabic in Palestine offers a free placement test to evaluate students’ Arabic language skills in 4 crucial areas: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. We are happy to consult with you if you have any questions regarding course levels or intensities. Our contact information is at the bottom of this page, along with our address on Facebook and other social media platforms.
Our location in Hebron is famous for Palestinian hospitality and a pleasant climate, with access to nearby cities such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, and the Dead Sea. As a member of the community and international student learning Arabic in Palestine, you will also have the opportunity to meet Palestinian students and members of the Hebron community and local organizations.
Living with a Palestinian Host Family
One of the more attractive parts of this program doesn’t occur in the classroom at all. During their time in Hebron, students may have the opportunity to reside with a Palestinian host family! This valuable experience will immerse students completely in the local dialect of Arabic, as well as provide them with a rare look into Palestinian home life and culture. Students may get to share some family meals, attend local cultural events, become familiar with daily life in Hebron, and much more.
Previous participants have found the time spent with their host families to be as rewarding, fulfilling, and educational as their time in class. Cat, a participant from the UK, remarked that “during my stay here I was able to immerse myself in the local culture and learn a lot about life in Palestine, which was [just] as important to me as the academic side. The people of Hebron are overwhelmingly generous and friendly, making my stay here a wonderful experience.”
However, homestay is only a guarantee for female students and is subject to availability for male students. For this reason, we recommend applying to the program of your choice as early as possible to secure your place and homestay.
Student Requirements
Learn Arabic in Palestine does not discriminate on any basis; this includes nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other discernible means. There are only 3 main criteria we request from participants:
- Students should be between 18-70 years of age. This age restriction may be waived, however, if granted special permission by the Learn Arabic in Palestine’s director.
- We require all prospective students to have working knowledge of English and/or Arabic since these are the primary languages during the program.
- Finally, we ask all participants to have a positive attitude, an open mind, and an eagerness to learn.
Competitive Pricing
Our Palestinian Arabic courses are priced competitively in comparison to other study abroad programs, and cover a wide range of expenses aside from mere Arabic lessons. The price of a course depends on the intensity and is every week. Tuition per week is as follows:
- Non-Intensive: €370
- Intensive: €450
- Super Intensive: €700
All Students also pay a one-time registration fee of €30. Program prices listed on this webpage are the complete and final costs students will pay; there are no hidden or additional fees.
Program Fees Cover
- Placement Tests
- Language courses
- Study Material and Workbooks
- Housing for the duration of your stay
- Arrival and pre-departure assistance
- Operational expenses
- Breakfast 5 days a week
- Excursions led by Learn Arabic in Palestine, including to the old city of Hebron, local companies, refugee camps, and local universities such as the Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University
- A certificate upon completion
| Colloquial 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 | 5 students | 5 students | 5 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 |
How to Apply for the Study Palestinian Arabic Program?
If you want to take part in our Study Palestinian Arabic Immersion Program, please write to us at Info@ecpalestine.org and CC Mr. Rafat Shantir at Rafat@excellencenter.org. We should be able to respond to your initial inquiry within 1-2 business days.
In the subject line of your email, write “Study Palestinian Arabic 1-13 Weeks” and we will reply with an application form attached. Please fill this out and return it to us to begin the process.
Reviews and Community Awards
Learn Arabic in Palestine in Hebron, West Bank, has been offering Arabic courses for non-native speakers since 2011 and we have hosted more than a thousand international visitors. Throughout these years, we have been developing and delivering many Arabic immersion programs and online lessons, using the most advanced teaching methods which we enhance year after year. While we continuously refine our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, our fundamental mission will always remain the same: to connect, teach, and develop individuals within the local and international community.
In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Award” to acknowledge our impact on the community of travelers around the world.
In 2021 we ranked as one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We also won the Go Overseas community choice award in the category for “best language school” and have been rated top for “fun” and “instruction.”
In 2022 we ranked 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 5 Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in this year alone! Learn Arabic in Palestine was also 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”. And if you still aren’t convinced, check out our many great reviews here:
- +830 Reviews (96.8%) on Gooverseas.com
- +170 Reviews (9.3/10) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Conclusion
Learn Arabic in Palestine offers an opportunity to take part in the Study Palestinian Arabic Program, connect with the Palestinian diaspora, and immerse oneself in the diverse culture of Palestine and the Levant. We offer Non-Intensive, Intensive, and Super-Intensive variations for each level – beginner, elementary, intermediate, and advanced. Students can choose the timings and level of studies to suit their needs, language ability, and preferences. This program is also ideal for those who want to learn about the region’s rich history and culture, gain academic credit, or expand their professional profile.
With approximately 13 million native Palestinian speakers worldwide, Palestinian Arabic is one of the most widely-spoken and recognizable dialects of Arabic while still being similar to MSA, making it ideal for those wishing to study written Arabic or to use Arabic in professional environments.
Students will also immerse themselves in Palestinian culture and possibly family life if they can live with a host family. Students will become members of the community and have the opportunity to see the many nearby historical sights.
From all of us at Learn Arabic in Palestine, we would be more than happy to have you as part of our family here in Hebron. Apply today and begin your linguistic journey!
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Find Us Online
You can contact us via email: Info@ecpalestine.org, WhatsApp, or phone: +972 599-479880
