The Levantine Arabic Program offered by Volunteer in Palestine is a unique opportunity for anyone looking to expand their spoken Arabic to include the Levantine dialect, travel through the Levant, and immerse themselves in Levantine culture, history and politics. Fortunately, for those looking to study Arabic with us, we are located in the West Bank, Palestine, in the heart of the Levant, and in the busy and vibrant city of Hebron. Levantine Arabic is one of the most widely spoken Arabic dialects, making its acquisition the ultimate passport to the Arabic-speaking world. 

The Arabic courses offered by Volunteer in Palestine focus on daily colloquial tasks, meaning students will learn everyday phrases and real world skills. Students will learn how to write and speak using Levantine phonetics, in addition to improving their reading and listening comprehension. Depending on the course level, the program will also focus on various topics specifically designed to be used in conversation. The experience is immersive, and includes interactions with the city of Hebron, as well as the possibility of staying with a host family.

Our Levantine Arabic classes are available throughout the year, ranging from one-week intensive courses to three-month (13-week) programs. Whether you are seeking a short-term or longer-term intensive Arabic course in the Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, West Bank, Israel, Middle East area, or are interested in immersing yourself in the complete cultural experience, we can readily accommodate your needs. You have the freedom to select the timing and level of study that aligns with your language proficiency, learning preferences, and any other specific requirements or preferences you may have.

What is the Levant and Levantine Arabic? 

The Levant is a region of the Middle East associated with the Eastern Mediterranean. Typically, the countries included in this region are Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine- though broader definitions may also include Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt and a small portion of Iraq. The population of the Levant totals about 44.5 million people, with a rich diversity of cultures and ethnicities, including Arabic, Aramaic, Armenian, Assyrian, Circassian, Domari, Greek, Hebrew, Kurdish, Turkish and many others! 

The Muslim conquest of the Levant in 634 CE brought Arabic to the region, and since then, has been the predominantly spoken language of the region. In the 1400 years since then, generations of Arabic speakers have slowly developed a regional dialect, called Shami (another name for Levantine Arabic). The dialect is distinct from the rest of the Arab world, but still closely related to Classical Arabic, known as FusHa. In fact, approximately 50% of its vocabulary corresponds directly to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), making it one of the most recognizable dialects among many in the Arab world. Today there are two distinct dialects of Levantine Arabic:

Northern Levantine

Also known as Syro-Lebanese Arabic, North Levantine Arabic is spoken in the northern countries of the Levant such as Lebanon, in specific territories such as Turkey’s coastal regions of Adana, Hatay and Mersin, and in the regions of Syria bordering Aleppo, Damascus and the Mediterranean.

Southern Levantine

This is the other dialect of Levantine, and is spoken in Palestine and across most of Jordan. It is also spoken in Syria’s southern region, particularly in the Hauran. It will be the dialect most present in Hebron and the immediate region.

There is also a colloquial form of Arabic known as ‘Ammiyya. ‘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.

What is the difference between Levantine Arabic and Ammiyya Arabic?

Levantine Arabic and Ammiyya Arabic are often used interchangeably to refer to the same dialect, but it is important to understand their distinctions. “Ammiyya Arabic” is a broader term that encompasses various spoken dialects across different regions of the Arab world. On the other hand, “Levantine Arabic” specifically refers to the dialects spoken in the Levant region, which includes countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine.

Levantine Arabic is a subset of Ammiyya Arabic and possesses unique features that set it apart from other dialects.

Why Learn Levantine Arabic? 

Shami is now one of the two dominant dialects of Arabic in the world, the other being Egyptian. With an estimated 38 million native speakers throughout the Levant and the Arab diaspora, Levantine Arabic is one of the most widely spoken dialects of Arabic. By learning this dialect, students will have numerous opportunities to engage with the people, politics, histories and cultures of the Arabic-speaking world within and beyond the Levant.

Due to its geopolitical importance and rich historical inheritance, Levantine Arabic is a key for interacting with an important part of history, literature, and religion. This region continues to be important today, and is vital for those wishing to engage with the politics, human rights, and economics of the region. Learning Levantine Arabic is the key to accessing this diverse region, as well as the Arab diaspora at large. 

Additionally, whether it be because of travel, recreation, business, personal interest, family lineage or simply curiosity, those who study Levantine Arabic will be connected to one of the most diverse and influential regions of the world. Students will have the opportunity to interact with individuals and communities across Arabic-speaking countries and the Arab diaspora, including those located in their own communities back home! 

How Are Classes Conducted?

Volunteer in Palestine offers Arabic classes that are second to none, creating a completely immersive experience for our participants. Volunteer in Palestine is able to provide this due in part to its prime location in the bustling center of Hebron, which allows participants to intimately engage with the Arabic language on a daily basis.

These Arabic courses ensure students quickly build their Arabic skills using the immersion methodology of language acquisition, meaning your formal studies will be reinforced by your use of the language outside the classroom in your daily life. Students will essentially have two options in terms of class style: one-on-one or small groups:

1. One-on-one

Students will have private lessons with one of our qualified Arabic language teachers, allowing for a more personalized approach to instruction. This also ensures that the student will have the instructor’s full attention, while allowing the instructor to fully focus on any questions that the student may have. 

2. Small groups

Typically 2 or 3 students, but up to 5. While one-on-one courses are more personalized, small groups allow for structured interaction with peers at similar language proficiency levels, which is often an effective strategy for fostering collective linguistic growth. Students will be able to practice their Arabic together, collaborate on group projects, enjoy class excursions and much more. 

Qualified Teachers

Volunteer in Palestine prides itself on its faculty and staff, all of whom are native Levantine Arabic speakers. In addition, many of our teachers 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. 

Our flexible and experienced teachers are ready and happy to help build an Arabic course designed specifically for your needs. 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 our Arabic teachers.

Are the Courses Taught in English? 

The short answer is yes – all of our Levantine Arabic courses 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 Volunteer in Palestine’s center speaks English and is geared towards 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.

Arabic Course Levels

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

Elementary: This course is intended to continue where the previous course left off, building on student’s 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.

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 in order to communicate with native speakers and complete everyday tasks. Students may be instructed to purchase items from a Palestinian market, order from a restaurant, discuss preferences about a certain topic or other colloquial activities. 

Advanced: The advanced course maintains an immersive nature while also expanding into complex reading, writing, and spoken materials. Students will conduct research in the community of Hebron on a variety of subjects. With all these methods and materials combined, students will establish a firm understanding of, and gain a grammatical competency in Levantine Arabic. Upon completion of this course students will be able to articulate their thoughts and opinions over complex matters such as politics, history, the environment and the arts of Palestine. 

Here you will find a list of our available Levantine Arabic courses.

Arabic Course Intensity Options

Non-Intensive: This Levantine Arabic 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 of 2-3 months in duration enroll in a 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.

Intensive: This Levantine Arabic course load would mean students spend about 20 hours per week in Arabic classes, in addition to assigned homework and extracurricular activities. For those looking to study for a month or less, we recommend enrolling in an intensive course.

Super Intensive: This Levantine Arabic course load can include 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 Volunteer in Palestine is well known for, 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.

Start and End Dates

Studying Arabic with Volunteer in Palestine is available year-round and has no official application deadlines; when you decide to start your Levantine journey is up to you! Students may choose their starting and end dates however they see fit, up to a three month stay. 

However, especially for students, our Summer Semester offered from June to August is especially popular. This is ideal for students on a summer break looking to study Arabic for their own interests, for academic credit or to equip them to take a summer internship in the Levant afterwards. Our summer Arabic courses are also ideal for anyone else simply looking for a way to begin studying Arabic or improve their Arabic with real world experience in their time off.

Which Course is for Me? 

If you are having difficulty deciding on which course to enroll in, Volunteer in Palestine offers a free placement test to evaluate your 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 can be found at the bottom of this page, along with our Facebook page and other social media platforms. 

Live with a Palestinian Host Family 

Your time in the classroom is not where your Arabic learning experience will end. Residing in Hebron, you may have the option to reside with a Palestinian host family. This opportunity is truly special and unique since students will not only have the opportunity to practice their Arabic skills with native speakers, but will also gain rare access into Palestinian culture, customs and home life.

This ensures an intensive, immersive experience not only in the classroom, but outside as well. You may even take part in family activities, attend Palestinian cultural events, become familiar with daily life in Hebron, and so much more! 

However, homestay is only guaranteed for female students and is subject to availability for male students, so we recommend applying to the program of your choice as early as possible to secure your place and homestay.

Student Requirements

Volunteer in Palestine does not discriminate on any basis; this includes nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or by 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 Volunteer in Palestine’s director.

• We require all prospective students to have working 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.

Competitive Pricing

Volunteer in Palestine is priced competitively in comparison to other study abroad programs, and covers a wide range of expenses aside from mere Arabic lessons. The price of a course depends on the intensity, and is charged by the week. The program fee 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
• Operational expenses
• Arrival and pre-departure assistance
• Breakfast 5 days a week
• Excursions led by Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron, including the old city of Hebron, local companies, refugee camps as well as local universities such as the Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University
• A certificate upon completion

Levantine Arabic Program Information Overview

How to Apply

If you are interested in participating in our Study Levantine Arabic Program, please contact us at Info@ecpalestine.org and CC Mr. Rafat Shantir at Rafat@excellencenter.org. We aim to respond to your initial inquiry within 1-3 business days.

When sending your email, please use the subject line “Study Levantine Colloquial Arabic.” We will promptly reply to your email with an application form attached.

Reviews and Community Awards

Volunteer 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 develop our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, our fundamental mission remains 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 were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We also received the Go Overseas community choice award in the category for “best language school” and have been voted best for “fun” and “instruction.” 

In 2022 we were rated 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! Volunteer 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:

• +620 Reviews and ratings (96%) on Gooverseas.com
• +140 Reviews and ratings (94%) on Goabroad.com
• Participants’ video testimonials

Conclusion

For anyone wishing to learn spoken Levantine Arabic (Shami), expand their knowledge of Palestinian or Levantine history and culture, and reside in a dynamic and bustling city in the West Bank, Volunteer in Palestine’s Study Levantine Arabic program is for you! This is a unique opportunity for anyone looking to expand their spoken Arabic to include the Levantine dialect, travel through the Levant, and immerse themselves in Levantine culture, history and politics. 

The Arabic immersion programs offered by Volunteer in Palestine focus on daily colloquial tasks, meaning students will learn the idioms and everyday phrases associated with the Levantine dialect. Students will gain an immersive experience, potentially reside with a host family, and venture into the Arab world experiencing the culture and customs of Palestine first hand. This Levantine Arabic intensive program promises to be a transformative and enriching experience for all who pursue it. 

From all of us at Volunteer 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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