Learning Arabic in the West Bank, such as through Volunteer in Palestine programs, offers far more than just language acquisition—it provides an immersive cultural and historical experience in one of the Middle East’s most dynamic regions. Cities like Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah serve as ideal environments for studying Arabic, where every conversation is an opportunity to engage with the complex and resilient Palestinian society.
These interactions do more than teach you a new language; they offer a deeper understanding of the daily realities, challenges, and hopes of a people who have long endured occupation and conflict.
What truly sets these cities apart as prime locations for Arabic study is the eagerness of the local population to share not only their language but also their stories and experiences. Whether you are a beginner or a proficient speaker, you will be met with warmth and generosity that enhances your learning journey. The hospitality and openness of the Palestinian people, coupled with the region’s rich cultural backdrop, ensure that studying Arabic here is a transformative experience, blending linguistic development with profound cultural exchange.
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Which Spoken Arabic Will You Learn in the West Bank?
You will learn the Levantine dialect in the West Bank in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Israel. Most language centers run intensive summer programs as well as semester-long regular courses. Both formats offer various options and tailor-made curricula that accommodate the needs of beginner, intermediate, and advanced students in both spoken and Modern Standard Arabic.
Where Can You Learn Arabic in the West Bank?
Hospitality is indeed an intrinsic part of Palestinian and Arab cultures in general so most language programs offer accommodations with host families, thus optimizing the learning experience.
You will find classes tailored to your needs and level through various, mostly budget-friendly, language programs offered through Bethlehem University (Brother Vincent Malham Center), Birzeit University and the SEBIL Center for Arabic Language in Ramallah, Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron, and An-Najah National University in Nablus. Cultural and social activities as well as political tours and field trips are also included so that you make the most of your experience.
Learning Arabic at Volunteer in Palestine
Located 30 kilometers south of Jerusalem, Hebron aka Al Khalil is It is regarded as holy by Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike because the prophet Abraham is believed to be buried there.
The city is near other fascinating cities such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Nablus. Rich in culture and history, Hebron is a safe place to learn and enjoy life in the heart of the West Bank.
At Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron, you will find a wide variety of classes that will enable you to acquire basic communicative skills in spoken Palestinian Arabic with friendly and knowledgeable instructors. Everyone at the center is strongly committed to providing international visitors with a successful and enriching cultural and linguistic experience. You will have the opportunity to stay with a local family and learn Arabic from native speakers both at home and at the center. People from all over the world come to the center and volunteer and learn Arabic so there is always a whole community of people with whom you can converse.
The affordability of the program is also a great incentive to choose Volunteer in Palestine.
Why Study Arabic at Learn Arabic in Palestine?
Here are a few reasons why to learn Arabic in the West Bank, Palestine:
- Experience the hospitality of Palestinians and a pleasant environment to learn in
- Opportunity to live in and gain impressions from one of the most politically divisive and ambivalent regions of the Middle East
- Chance to visit unique tourist attractions with a particular native perspective – locations including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho
- Visit nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth
- Meet Palestinian university and school students as well as members of the Hebron community, and members of local organizations
- A variety of courses are offered, with modern teaching techniques in an intensive learning environment
- Well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, with an excellent educational background
- Experience various aspects of the Palestinian culture through their living arrangements with host families and various local trips organized during your stay in Palestine
- Certificate upon completion
What is the Difference Between a Non-Intensive, Intensive, and Super-Intensive Course?
All Arabic courses are available in different intensities. The Arabic course intensity is different from the course level. The Ammiyya program intensity determines the frequency of classes, their level of immersion, and out-of-classroom coursework.
1. Non-Intensive Arabic Course:
Most relaxed intensity available, meeting for 12 lesson hours (45 minutes per lesson hour) per week ~ about 3 hours of Arabic courses a day for 3 days a week. This intensity is designed to give students plenty of in-classroom immersion and time to explore the city of Hebron, Palestine! We recommend that students interested in a long-term program (anywhere from 1 – 3 months) enroll in a non-intensive Arabic course.
2. Intensive Arabic Course:
Designed to further immerse students into the Arabic language and culture. These courses consist of 20 lesson hours a week, with about 4 teaching hours of Arabic language instruction per day, 5 days a week. Intensive Arabic courses will have additional homework and out-of-classroom assignments.
3. Super-Intensive Arabic Course:
Designed for students who want a completely immersive, high-intensity classroom-oriented experience. Courses will include 30 lesson hours of language instruction per week, with 5 hours of language instruction per day, 5 days a week. We recommend Super-Intensive courses to those who are enrolled in shorter programs (1 – 4 weeks) because of the intensive course load.
Which Arabic Courses Do We Offer?
As demonstrated, Volunteer in Palestine offers a diverse range of Arabic learning options across the West Bank. Our programs stand out not only for their variety but also for the exceptional quality of instruction provided by our professional native-speaking teachers. With extensive experience and expertise, our educators ensure that every course maintains a high standard, regardless of which program you choose. Explore the Arabic programs we offer below to find the one that best suits your needs and goals.
| Study Palestinian Colloquial Arabic | Study Levantine Arabic Program |
| Arabic Courses in Palestine | Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) Program |
| The Summer Intensive Arabic Program | Learn Arabic Online |
Winter Intensive Arabic Program
Volunteer in Palestine offers an excellent environment for Winter Intensive Arabic Programs, with a wealth of dedicated Palestinian teachers eager to impart their knowledge of the Arabic language. These instructors specialize in various dialects, including the Levant dialect, Palestinian dialect, and Standard Arabic.
The center’s strength lies in its diversity, enhanced by the presence of educators proficient in the Levantine dialect—a variety spoken across several countries including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Southern Turkey. This rich linguistic background ensures a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, tailored to meet the needs of students at all levels.
Here you may find a list of our Winter Intensive Arabic Programs:
| Levantine Colloquial Arabic Lessons | Study Palestinian Colloquial |
| Modern Standard/Classical Arabic Courses | Individual Arabic Courses in the West Bank |
Where Else Can You Study Arabic in the West Bank, Palestine?
Are you eager to go beyond just learning about the Arabic language and actually speak it? The West Bank is one of the best places to study Arabic. Palestinians are known for their hospitality, love of meeting new people, and eagerness to share their culture while supporting students in their language-learning journey.
The spoken Arabic in Palestine, known as Levantine Arabic, is closely related to Modern Standard Arabic, making it an excellent choice for learners. Coupled with affordable, high-quality programs, Palestine offers a unique environment for immersive Arabic learning.
For those seeking to combine language study with real-life cultural engagement, there are several excellent Arabic language schools in the West Bank. Below, we present the top six intensive Arabic programs you should explore!
1. Travel to Palestine
The Travel to Palestine organization aims to enable tourists to come to Palestine and experience its rich culture. This is a land rich with history, hospitality, and generous people, and you can experience all of that through the Travel to Palestine organization. They offer intensive Palestinian Arabic courses as well as online lessons.
2. Excellence Center
The Excellence Center in Palestine has the experience of more than 13 years of offering Arabic programs (Levantine Arabic, Modern Standards Arabic as well as Ammiyya Arabic) for nonnative speakers in the West Bank, founded in Hebron in 2011, serves as a language school offering Arabic language education to international students, interns, and volunteers. It also provides cultural immersion activities and community development services to Palestinian children, refugees, youth, women, and community members in Hebron.
3. Salam Palestine
Salam Palestine, a community project in Hebron, Palestine, works with international volunteers to facilitate social and community development initiatives. Through workshops, events, and outreach programs, volunteers collaborate with residents to promote cultural exchange and improve social cohesion. The Center offers super intensive, intensive, and non-intensive Arabic courses for people who would like to stay for 1-13 weeks.
4. Engage In Palestine
Engage in Palestine, based in Hebron, offers immersive experiences for international students who would like to go to Palestine and learn Arabic in the West Bank, it is known for its Levantine (Shami) and Palestinian Arabic intensive lessons. Through diverse Arabic programs, participants engage in educational, social, and cultural initiatives, working alongside residents to support youth empowerment, women’s initiatives, and the well-being of Palestinian refugees.
5. Volunteer In Palestine
Volunteer in Palestine offers Levantine, Palestinian, and Modern Standard Arabic courses at different levels such as super-intensive, intensive immersion as well as non-intensive programs for anyone interested in studying Arabic in the West Bank, Palestine. The organization has a lot of reviews and it is known for its community development programs.
6. Study In Palestine
Study in Palestine offers a broad range of options to include intensive Arabic courses and summer Arabic programs at multiple levels. These Arabic programs cover super-intensive, intensive immersion, and non-intensive Arabic choices, designed for those looking to study Levantine (Shami Arabic), Palestinian dialects, and Modern Standard Arabic in the West Bank, Palestine.
Programs Offered Year-round
Furthermore, at Volunteer in Palestine, we offer our Intensive Ammiyya Arabic immersion classes year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter). These Arabic language programs span from one week to three months at our base in Hebron, West Bank. If you are seeking a short, intensive Arabic course, our programs will accommodate you perfectly.
Additionally, if you have an interest in an immersive cultural experience in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the broader Middle Eastern and Islamic world, it will be a good fit.
Reviews and Awards
Volunteer in Palestine has been offering its services since 2011. Throughout the years, we have been developing many programs and online courses for those who want to learn Arabic in the West Bank. We use the most advanced methods which we develop and enhance year after year. Education and learning is an active process that is always advancing, and you will be part of the development.
Despite continuous program improvements for the best learning experience, our core goal remains: connecting, teaching, and developing individuals for the benefit of them and the community. 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 was a recognition of Volunteer in Palestine’s positive effect on the global travel community. You can check our ratings below.
- +840 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +170 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Conclusion
In summary, learning Arabic in the West Bank, particularly through programs like those offered by Volunteer in Palestine, is an experience that goes far beyond language learning. It immerses you in the rich cultural, historical, and social fabric of Palestinian life, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and resilience of its people. Engaging with the local population in cities such as Hebron, Bethlehem, and Ramallah not only enhances your linguistic skills but also deepens your understanding of the complex realities of the region.
For anyone looking to truly connect with the Middle East and its people, learning Arabic in Palestine is an unparalleled opportunity. The warmth and hospitality of the Palestinian people, combine with the region’s deep historical significance and thus create a transformative experience that leaves a lasting impact. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this journey offers both personal and intellectual growth, making it a highly rewarding endeavor for anyone committed to understanding this vital part of the world.
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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