The Intensive Palestinian Arabic 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. Engage in the West Bank offers courses at four levels and three intensities, depending on your needs.
Our Intensive Palestinian Arabic 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 a good opportunity to build relationships. Students may also get to reside with a Palestinian host family for a fuller immersion into the culture and life of Palestinians.
Intensive Palestinian Arabic Courses in 2025/2026
The Excellence Center in Palestine is now accepting applications for its 2025/2026 Palestinian Arabic Programs, including Intensive Palestinian Arabic Language Courses, Summer Palestinian Arabic Programs, Online Palestinian Arabic Lessons, and Winter Palestinian Arabic Programs. We look forward to welcoming you to these exciting opportunities in 2025/2026!
Table of Contents
What is Palestinian Arabic?
Palestinian Arabic is a colloquial (‘Ammiyya’) dialect native to Palestine and 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 region 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’ 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, and they later acquired Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) in school. Unlike MSA, ‘Ammiyya does not adhere to the strict grammar and word order rules and often loses other structured linguistic features.
Why Learn Palestinian Arabic?
Palestine’s culture is rich and diverse due to its long history, geographical position, and religious significance. It lies at a crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean and has played host to at least five 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 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 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 Palestinian Arabic 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, Engage in the West Bank can provide academic credit through our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, so university students are especially encouraged to apply.
How Are Classes Conducted?
Engage in the West Bank 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 its prime location in the bustling center of Hebron, which allows participants to engage intimately with the Arabic language on a daily basis.
Our courses ensure students quickly build their Arabic skills since we use the immersion methodology of language acquisition. This means that a student’s formal studies will be reinforced by their use of the language outside the classroom in their daily lives.
To cater to the diversity of our volunteers, classes are personalized and can be offered one-on-one or in small groups, depending on availability. Scheduling is dependent upon the level and intensity of the selected program, however courses are generally conducted five days a week for those studying intensively and three days a week for those in non-intensive programs.
Start and End Dates
Engage in the West Bank classes are available year-round for any timeframe from one week to three months. However, many students choose to take language courses in Arabic-speaking countries during the summertime.
Intensive Palestinian Arabic Summer Study
For an immersive Arabic experience, Engage in the West Bank offers the Intensive Palestinian Arabic Summer Study program, which includes intensive Arabic courses and 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 are required to speak Arabic.
Palestinian (Ammiya) Arabic Winter programs
While summer study programs are indeed more popular, Engage in the West Bank 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 Taught 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 present in the classroom. Please also remember that while Engage in the West Bank’s center is mainly for English speakers, the city of Hebron is predominantly Arabic-speaking. When navigating through Hebron, students must utilize their Arabic and rely on their skills to the best of their ability, creating a fully immersive experience.
Qualified Teachers
Engage in the West Bank 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 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 and for receiving individual attention from Arabic teachers.
Palestinian Arabic Course Level
Beginner
This course is for students with no previous Arabic language experience. It 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 and 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 and 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 concisely and well-informedly.
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 on various subjects in the Hebron community. Students will establish a firm understanding of and grammatical competence in Palestinian Arabic. Upon completing this course, students can 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 plenty of in-class instruction while leaving ample time to explore the city of Hebron and immerse yourself in Palestinian culture when not completing homework.
- Intensive: This course load means students spend about 20 hours per week in Arabic classes, with additional assigned homework and extracurricular activities. We recommend enrolling in our Intensive courses for those looking to study for a month or less.
- 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 Engage in the West Bank is famous, and may be an overwhelming study load for some. Undoubtedly, you will leave Palestine with an accentuated and advanced knowledge of Arabic after this course.
Which Course is for Me?
If you have difficulty deciding which course level to enroll in, Engage in the West Bank 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. It offers 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, members of the Hebron community, and local organizations.
Program Accommodation
When residing in Hebron, male program participants will have the option of either staying with a Palestinian host family (depending on availability) or in a very nice apartment just a 5-minute walk from Engage in Palestine. Both options offer unique advantages.
Staying in the apartment provides extra time to bond with other participants and volunteers, fostering a sense of community. Located near Hebron’s metropolitan center, the apartment offers convenient access to explore the vibrant city with fellow roommates, opening the door to many new and exciting experiences!
The second option available to participants will be to reside with a Palestinian host family. This option will provide participants an intimate view into Palestinian daily life, customs, and culture, while also giving them a chance to become familiar with family structures and taste some of the delicious Palestinian cuisine. It’s also likely that participants residing with a host family will be invited to family gatherings and cultural events, guaranteeing a culturally immersive experience!
Student Requirements
Engage in the West Bank 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 and 70 years old. However, Engage in the West Bank’s director may waive this age restriction if they are granted special permission.
- 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
Our Palestinian Arabic courses are priced competitively compared to other study abroad programs and cover many expenses aside from mere Arabic lessons. The price of a course depends on the intensity and is charged by the week. Tuition per week is as follows (Please Check the Price List):
- 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; no hidden or additional fees exist.
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 Engage in the West Bank 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
| 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 | Check the Prices Here | Check the Prices Here | Check the Prices Here |
| University Credit | Available | Available | Available |
Reviews, Awards, And Recognition
Engage in 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.
- +850 reviews (96%) on gooverseas.com
- +175 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
- Internship in Palestine participants’ video testimonials
Conclusion
Engage in the West Bank offers an opportunity to learn colloquial Palestinian Arabic, 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 similar to MSA, it is 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 community members and have the opportunity to see the many nearby historical sights.
From all of us at Engage in the West Bank, we would be more than happy to have you as part of our family here in Hebron. Apply today and begin your linguistic journey!
How to Apply
If you want to participate in our Study Palestinian Arabic Immersion Program, please email us at Info@ecpalestine.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.
Related Arabic Programs
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