Intensive Modern Standard Arabic (1-13 Weeks): If you’re interested in learning Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha), our Intensive Arabic Language Program in the West Bank, Palestine, is the perfect fit for you, regardless of your motivation. Engage in the West Bank offers super-intensive, intensive, and non-intensive immersion Arabic programs in Modern Standard Arabic, as well as dialects such as Palestinian colloquial Arabic, a dialect of Levantine Arabic.

Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional, or retiree, our intensive Modern Standard Arabic language programs cater to your needs. Located in the city of Hebron, in the West Bank, our Arabic language programs welcome all levels of learners, from first-time learners and beginners to intermediate and advanced learners. If you’re currently enrolled in a college or university, you may also earn academic credit toward your studies by participating in our intensive Arabic immersion program.

Arabic Classes Span From One Week To Three Months

We offer our Intensive Arabic Language programs year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter), from one week to three months! You pick the dates, and we start preparing for your arrival! You have the freedom to choose the timing and the level of studies to best suit your needs, language ability, learning preferences, and any other preferences you may have!

Our liveliest period is without a doubt the summer months when we have our highest numbers of international students and volunteers. To account for this, we run intensive Arabic courses slightly different from our regular curriculum from the end of June until late September.

Furthermore, this new four-week Modern Arabic Intensive Program comprises 4-6 hours of lessons per day, 5 days a week, for a total of 80 lesson hours per month – ample opportunity for students to immerse themselves in Arabic language and culture for up to three months in summer! Our intensive summer courses, much like our other courses, cater to your own needs, whether language ability, learning preferences, or timings!

All of our Modern Standard Arabic Immersion courses are taught in small groups, capped at 5 students at an absolute maximum. This is so our students can interact closely with their classmates, and our well-qualified teachers, allowing them to use their language skills both inside and outside of the classroom.

What are the courses like?

Engage in the West Bank offers Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) courses at six different levels of difficulty: Beginner, Elementary 1 or 2, Intermediate 1 or 2, and Advanced. Each Arabic course level is available in either an intensive, super-intensive, or non-intensive format, with variations in the number of instructional hours per week, as well as the level of immersion in Arabic culture.

Our Arabic courses are available year-round and have no official application deadlines, so you can start or continue your MSA journey at any time that suits you.

Classical Or Modern Standard Arabic? 

The terms Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic are sometimes used interchangeably, confusing. Classical Arabic, also known as Quranic Arabic, is a style of Arabic dating back to the 7th century during the founding of Islam. Modern Standard Arabic is based on this classical style and closely resembles Classical Arabic, with some minor differences in stylization and diction.

In contemporary language, Classical and Modern Standard Arabic are often considered synonymous, and even the Arabic word Fus’ha does not differentiate between the two. Therefore, enrolling in the MSA Program equips students to understand higher literary forms of Arabic, including the Qur’an.

How Will Courses Be Conducted? 

Students enrolled in Engage in the West Bank’s intensive Modern Standard Arabic Program can expect to gain a strong understanding of Arabic while enjoying a fully immersive experience, one that will introduce them to Arab culture and customs, while having plenty of chances to practice with native speakers both inside and outside the classroom. 

Our Modern Standard Arabic courses are run in two options; private, one-on-one Arabic lessons for an extra personalized approach to learning, and our group settings; typically, 2 or 3 students allowing for structured interaction between peers at similar levels – often an effective strategy for fostering collective linguistic growth. And finally, all of our students can enjoy practicing their Arabic together, and collaborate on group projects, class excursions, and more! 

All our intensive Arabic courses are mainly for English speakers, although the more advanced the Arabic level, the less English will be present in lessons.

Why Study Modern Standard Arabic? 

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is an excellent choice for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the Arabic language and planning to expand into colloquial variants in the future. MSA is widely used, as it’s the primary form of Arabic taught in schools throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

MSA’s wide geographical reach makes it an excellent option for those interested in exploring the Arabic language. Furthermore, MSA plays a crucial role in literature, news media, academia, diplomacy, law, international business, and more. Studying MSA provides access to the literary and official world of Arabic and opens many doors for professional advancement.

Why Engage in the West Bank?

Engage in the West Bank in Palestine is located in Hebron, a city where students can easily practice their Arabic skills both inside and outside of the classroom. During their stay, students can live with a Palestinian host family or in a shared male dorm. Hebron is an ideal location for Arabic study as English is not as widely spoken, making it easier to immerse oneself in the language. The local Palestinians are always friendly and happy to speak Arabic with students, providing countless opportunities to practice.

Hebron, in the West Bank, also serves as a great base for exploring other parts of Palestine, and students can easily meet other Arabic students and volunteers at the Center who share an interest in traveling on the weekends. Engage in the West Bank also organizes trips to cultural sites, Palestinian refugee camps, local organizations, and areas of political significance, giving students a deeper understanding of the complexity, diversity, and beauty of Palestine. 

Qualified Teachers

At Engage in the West Bank, we take pride in our team of faculty and staff, who are all native Arabic speakers. Many of our staff hold 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.

This diverse educational background ensures that our students receive top-notch instruction from experienced professionals who are passionate about teaching Arabic to learners from all over the world.

Reside With a Palestinian Host Family

Engage in the West Bank has a unique advantage; the opportunity for our students to reside with a Palestinian host family. Female students are guaranteed this opportunity, but it is subject to availability for male students due to the conservative nature of Hebron.

The experience is truly special and provides our students not only with a chance to practice their Arabic skills with native speakers around the clock, but also to gain insight into Palestinian culture, customs, and their way of life from within the home.

Arabic Course Levels On Offer

At Engage in the West Bank in Palestine, we provide a comprehensive intensive Modern Standard Arabic course that caters to students of all levels, ranging from beginners to advanced learners. Our course aims to equip students with the essential skills needed to read, write, speak, and listen to Arabic effectively. We offer a variety of Arabic courses and levels, including:

Beginner

• Designed for students with absolutely no experience.
• Introduces students to basic concepts, the alphabet, and common vocabulary and phrases.

Elementary Level 1

• Continues on the previous course
• Introductory topics; shopping, directions, preferences

Elementary Level 2

• More complex grammar
• More diverse vocabulary 

Intermediate Level 1

• Ventures into Hebron to communicate with native speakers and complete everyday tasks
• Culture, art, politics, and more specific issues. 

Intermediate Level 2

• For those with an extensive Arabic vocabulary
• Practical application of Arabic – ventures into Hebron etc

Advanced

• Combination of all previous curricula
• Complex reading, writing, and spoken materials

What’s the Difference Between Course Intensities?

Please note that course intensities refer to the frequency of classes, number of classes, amount of assigned homework, and level of immersion, and are different from course levels. Please find below the Arabic Course intensities available at Engage in the West Bank in Palestine:

1. Non-Intensive Arabic Course

If you are interested in a long-term intensive MSA program of 1-3 months, we recommend students enroll in a non-intensive course, which will provide you with plenty of in-class instruction(4  lesson hours* per day 3 days a week) while still leaving ample time to explore the city of Hebron and immerse yourself in Palestinian culture.

2. Intensive Modern Standard Arabic Course

The intensive Modern Standard Arabic course is to further immerse students in the Arabic language and culture. These courses take place 5 days a week for approximately 4 lesson hours* each day, giving a total of about 20 lesson hours* of instruction per week. Intensive Arabic courses will also add additional homework and out-of-classroom assignments for participants. 

3. Super-Intensive Arabic Courses

Finally, our super-intensive courses are for students who are looking for an accelerated Arabic course in a completely immersive, high-intensity classroom setting. Super-intensive Arabic courses take place 5 days a week at 6 lesson hours* of instruction per day, totaling approximately 30 lesson hours* per week. We recommend those studying for less than a month enroll in this program.

* Please note that 1 lesson hour = 45 minutes.

Which Course Is For Me? 

If you’re unsure which Arabic course to enroll in, Engage in the West Bank provides a complimentary placement test. This test assesses your skills in four crucial areas of the Arabic language: speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

We’re always available to provide guidance and answer any questions you may have about course levels or intensity. You can find our contact information at the bottom of this page, as well as links to our Facebook page and other social media platforms.

General Information Regarding Modern Standard Arabic Courses

Additional Pertinent Information

• 30€ one-time registration fee
• No extra charge for study materials including books
• Free placement test
• Certificate of completion
• The monthly program fee covers:
  • Arabic courses
  • Breakfast
  • Housing
  • Center-led excursions in Hebron
  • Operational costs

A Typical Day At Engage in the West Bank

Your schedule will vary depending on the intensity of your Arabic course. Intensive and super-intensive courses run five days per week, with two days off per week. Non-intensive courses have classes three days per week, with four days off per week.

You will begin your day with an Arabic lesson at 8:30 am (or 12:30 pm for intensive and non-intensive courses). At 10 am, you will have a break for breakfast at the Center, giving you the chance to try traditional Palestinian food and socialize with others.

And then, after breakfast, you will resume your Arabic lessons at 10:30 am and finish by 12:30 pm. Super-intensive courses have additional lessons in the afternoon. During your lessons, you can take short breaks.

You can make your arrangements for lunch. Sightseeing trips in Hebron are available through Engage in the West Bank and may affect the time of your Arabic lessons.

Afternoons and evenings are free, with occasional optional activities to showcase Palestine’s culture.

Free Time and Weekend Exploration

We understand that traveling around the Palestine and Israel region is a large attraction for most of our students. Our intensive Arabic immersion courses aim to give you plenty of free time to explore the exciting destinations within Palestine and Israel. Besides, all of our programs are located in the inner city of Hebron, a beautiful and historic city with many shops, cafes, and many other offerings.

Most Arabic students have two full days off per week (Friday and another day – usually Saturday) and you are welcome to spend them how you choose. On the other hand, students who choose the non-intensive course option will have four days off per week. Many of our students arrange to visit other cities with their fellow students or our international volunteers on their days off.

This includes, but is not limited to Palestinian cities such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jericho (and the Dead Sea) Nablus, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Haifa, and many more. Traveling around Palestine is easy and affordable. It might be surprising for you how fast your schedule will fill up and how quickly your time will fly by!

Safety Of Our International Students In Palestine

The region of Palestine has not been stable for the last few decades, there is always unrest and war, sometimes it becomes more volatile and at other times it’s calmer. Nonetheless, each year millions of tourists visit Palestine and the West Bank including Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, and many other cities without any safety issues. Palestinians in general are welcoming and hospitable people. They recognize that the politics of a country and its people may differ.  

Since its formation in 2011, Engage in the West Bank has welcomed over 1000 international visitors. These visitors lived and worked or studied in Hebron for a few weeks or months. Overall they did not face any threat nor were they unsafe in Hebron or the West Bank.

Moreover, Engage in the West Bank is in an area of Hebron which is under the Palestinian authority and in the heart of the city. Our Palestinian host families and the male dorms are located near Engage in the West Bank too.

Awards And Recognition

Engage in the West Bank in Hebron has now over 13 years of experience and prides itself on the positive feedback received from over 800 international interns, students, and volunteers to the Center since our founding in 2011.

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2022 we also 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 five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. Engage in the West Bank was also 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”.

In 2021, we also ranked as one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We also received community choice awards from Go Overseas in the category “Best Language School”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.” 

Furthermore, in 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge Engage in the West Bank’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. Engage in the West Bank continues to rank highly as a travel organization across its selection of programs. 

Check out our many great reviews here:

• 748+ Reviews (96.8%) on Gooverseas.com
• 150+ Reviews (94%) on Goabroad.com
• Participants’ video testimonials

How Do I Get a Visa to Visit Palestine?

• Most of our international participants get a tourist visa for three months when they fly to Israeli airports or cross from Jordan to the West Bank.
• Generally, there are no prior visa requirements for Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans to enter Palestine but please refer to the visa exemption agreement for further information. Upon your arrival at the Israeli Airports, you will acquire a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. This is more than sufficient for participation in Engage in the West Bank’s programs and to enable you to travel around Palestine and Israel easily.

Traveling to and From Hebron, West Bank

All of Engage in the West Bank’s volunteers travel to and from Hebron using private or shared taxis that pass through checkpoints.

You will find all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron and Engage in the West Bank with relevant contact information in these four articles:

• How to fly to Palestine
• How to get to Hebron, Palestine
• Planning your trip to Palestine
• How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport, Israel to Hebron

Tel Aviv Airport Pickups

If necessary, Engage in the West Bank staff can organize a taxi to pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport and take you straight to Hebron and the Center. This is the easiest and fastest way (about an hour, 60 km/37 miles) to get to us.

Additional fees apply and the trip costs about 150 Euro. Please let us know if you prefer this option.

How To Fly To Palestine:

There are no airports in the West Bank, so the easiest way to get to Engage in the West Bank in Hebron, West Bank is to fly to:

• Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (Israel). It takes about two and a half hours from the airport to Engage in the West Bank in Hebron via shared Taxi.

Alternatively:

• You can fly to Eilat airport and then travel by booking a shuttle or taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. The whole trip can last between 6-7 hours.
• You can also fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then cross to Palestine, but it takes more time and is more expensive.

How To Apply

To enroll in our Study Modern Standard Arabic Program, please send an email to Info@ecpalestine.org. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 1-2 business days.

Finally, in the subject line of your email, please write “Intensive Modern Standard Arabic” and we will send you an application form.

Related Arabic Programs

Find us Online

Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

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