Study Arabic Online Program: In addition to our in-person programs held at the center, Engage in the West Bank also offers online Arabic language classes in Modern Standard, Levantine (Shami) and Palestinian Arabic (Ammiya) . Depending upon your intended purpose for studying, each online Arabic program has its own advantages as colloquial variants are better suited for those simply travelling and conversing, whilst Modern Standard is ideal for those needing Arabic professionally.

However, you’re able to tailor your program too to suit your specific needs and interests.  Are you someone who wants to travel throughout the Levant in their personal time but also needs to analyse historical texts for your profession? Then you could merge together Modern Standard and Levantine Arabic as we are more than capable of accommodating your preferences.

Dealing with all aspects of language learning, our online Arabic programs focus on phonetics, conversation, writing, reading and listening comprehension as well as learning common idioms, completing daily tasks and discussing various subjects suited for your course level. By doing so, this ensures you have a wide range of Arabic understanding.

Engage in the West Bank offers six different levels for Arabic instruction: beginner, elementary levels 1 and 2, intermediate levels 1 and 2 and advanced. Additionally, each course level is offered at three intensities: non-intensive, intensive and super-intensive, the difference being the course load and frequency of sessions. As our online courses are available any day of the week and offered year-round with no official application deadline, when you start your Arabic journey is completely up to you! 

Online Arabic Courses for Children

In addition to the adult courses, Engage in the West Bank also offers Arabic tuition for children, which is a great opportunity to begin acclimating your child to the Arabic language and culture in a formal and accessible setting. Differing from our adult programs through the content and methodology in which they are taught in order to keep their interest, we incorporate more dynamic, immersive methods such as image recognition, flashcards, games and songs.  

Our online Arabic courses are an excellent way to introduce children to an authentic Arabic experience from the comfort of home. Specially designed for children in a virtual format, the course includes all picture books, articles on various subjects and digital media. So if you are looking to introduce your child to the Arabic-speaking world, enroll them in our Study Arabic Online Program to begin their language journey!

Arabic Varieties on Offer 

As aforementioned, Engage in the West Bank offers a wide range of Arabic studies, including Modern Standard (MSA) and colloquial variants (Ammiya) such as Palestinian and Levantine dialects (Shami Arabic). Additionally, you may also choose to learn a blend of Arabic varieties such as combining MSA and Palestinian Arabic for your program. 

Due to Arabic being an incredibly diverse language with numerous dialects and subdialects, before choosing your desired variety of Arabic, we recommend that you consider how you intend to use the language and for what future purposes you might need it. For example, those who wish to use Arabic in professional settings will probably find the formal Modern Standard Arabic most beneficial but for those wishing to use Arabic to converse in everyday settings to travel throughout the region, should focus on learning the spoken Palestinian or Levantine dialect. 

For those who are unsure about which style of Arabic is most suitable, feel free to reach out to us at Engage in the West Bank as we are more than happy to assist you in finding the right course. 

Online Arabic Varieties on Offer: 

• Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) 
• Colloquial Levantine Arabic (Shami) 
• Colloquial Palestinian Arabic (Ammiya)
• Combination of two varieties 

Modern Standard Arabic

Arabic, along with Russian, French, Spanish, Chinese and English, has in recent years risen to the status of a global language. With 275 million speakers worldwide, Modern Standard Arabic specifically is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. 

First developed in the 19^th and 20^th centuries as a way for Arabic publications to reach a wider audience without having to navigate the complexities of various dialects, MSA has quickly become the contemporary standard for literary, legal, academic and international purposes. It’s also recognized as an official language in 25 countries, including every member of the Arab League.

While the people within every one of these member states speak their unique, colloquial dialect, Modern Standard Arabic is the multinational unifier between these Arabic speakers of different colloquialisms who would otherwise find themselves unable to communicate. MSA is therefore one of the surest ways to communicate with Arabic speakers across the Middle East and North Africa as well as the wider Arab diaspora. 

Classical or Modern Standard? 

The terms Modern Standard and Classical Arabic are sometimes used interchangeably so it’s important to settle any confusion. Classical Arabic – also called Quranic Arabic – is the style of Arabic dating back to the 7^th century during the founding of Islam.

Modern Standard Arabic however, although based on this classical style, has some minute differences such as the stylization and method of diction. In contemporary language, Classical and Modern Standard Arabic are considered by many to be synonymous, and even the Arabic word Fus’ha does not differentiate between the two. Therefore, those who enroll in the MSA Program will be well-equipped to understand higher literary forms of Arabic including the Qur’an. 

Why Study Modern Standard Arabic? 

Modern Standard Arabic is ideal for those who wish to have a strong foothold of the Arabic language as a whole, and plan to expand into colloquial variants in the future. The language itself is widespread as it’s the primary form of Arabic taught in schools across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Arabic speakers across the region can therefore use it as a resource to communicate with those of different Arabic colloquialisms. Furthermore, students studying MSA can likewise use it to communicate while traveling throughout the MENA region. 

Therefore, MSA’s wide geographical range make it an excellent choice for those wishing to venture into the Arabic language. MSA is also incredibly important in areas related to literature, news media, academia, diplomacy, law, international business and more. Subsequently, studying MSA gives you improved access to the literary world of Arabic and opens doors for professional advancement. And the best part is that you can Study Arabic Online from your home. How cool is that?

Levantine Arabic

Levantine Arabic (also commonly referred to as Shami since the Arabic word for the Levant is Sham) is one of the two dominate dialects of Arabic in the world, the other being Egyptian. With an estimated total of roughly 38 million native speakers throughout the Levant and the Arab diaspora, Levantine Arabic is one of the most widely spoken dialects and therefore commonly taught to non-native speakers. It is also generally understood in other Arabic-speaking countries due to its cultural reach.

In addition to the Palestinian spoken dialect, Levantine Arabic is also the closest dialect to MSA, with approximately 50% of its vocabulary corresponding directly to Standard Arabic, making it one of the most recognizable dialects inthe Arab-speaking world.

What are Levantine Sub-Dialects? 

The subdialects of Levantine Arabic are predominantly divided into two main subgroups: Northern and Southern Levantine. 

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

Southern Levantine Arabic on the other hand, is the other sub-dialect, spoken in Palestine, across most of Jordan and in Syria’s southern region, particularly the Hauran.  

Why Learn Levantine Arabic? 

The reasons for learning spoken Levantine Arabic are multifaceted and wide-ranging. As one of two dominant spoken dialects, you will have numerous opportunities to engage with the people, politics, histories and cultures of the 38 million who understand this language. 

Additionally, whether it be because of travel, recreation, business, personal interest, family lineage or simply intrigue, if you study Levantine Arabic you will be connected to one of the most diverse and influential regions of the world and the opportunity to interact with new individuals and whole communities across Arabic-speaking countries and the Arab diaspora.

Palestinian Arabic

Palestinian Arabic is a colloquial Arabic dialect native to Palestine as well as the wider Palestinian diaspora. With approximately 13 million native Palestinian speakers worldwide, it is one of the most spoken and well recognizable dialects of Arabic.

As another subdialect of Levantine Arabic, Palestinian Arabic is spoken and/or understood throughout the Levant. With 44.5 million people and a rich diversity of cultures and ethnicities, the Levant includes countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine, as well as Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt using broader definitions. However, Palestinian Arabic can vary even further despite already being a sub-dialect, as villages and rural Fellahi, Bedouin and urban Madani tribes have their own dialects of the language.

Yet despite these many variants and subdialects within Levantine Arabic, spoken Palestinian Arabic still remains recognizable throughout Arabic-speaking countries, not to mention the Arab diaspora. 

Why Learn Palestinian Arabic? 

The culture of Palestine is one of the richest and most diverse in the world due to its long history, geographical position and religious significance. Having played host to at least 5 major empires, Palestine also lies at a crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean. Therefore, due to its significance in one of the most influential regions in the world, Palestinian Arabic is widely understood and spoken. 

Additionally, Palestinian Arabic also closely resembles Modern Standard Arabic, making this dialect ideal for those wishing to expand their literary scope to include Arabic texts or to use in professional environments. However, regardless of your reason, learning Palestinian Arabic is one of the best ways of gaining a foothold in the Arabic-speaking world. 

Online Arabic Course Levels on Offer

No matter your experience level, Engage in the West Bank has a variety of language levels available in addition to our non-intensive, intensive and super intensive tracts.

Beginner 

Designed for students with absolutely no previous Arabic language experience of any kind, this course will introduce you to basic concepts including the Arabic alphabet, writing systems, grammar fundamentals, phonetics and common vocabulary and phrases. The Beginner online Arabic course will create a strong, linguistic foundation from which you will leap into the diversity and complexity of the Arabic language.

Elementary Level 1

This Online Arabic course is intended to continue where Beginner left off, building on your foundational Arabic language knowledge. This entails the introduction of new vocabulary and slightly more complex grammatical rules as well as regular reading, writing and speaking exercises. Upon the completion of this course, you will be able to converse, read and write about elementary subjects such as shopping, asking for directions and expressing preferences.

Elementary Level 2

This Online Arabic course will take the subjects addressed in the Elementary Level 1 course and build on the curricula by expanding and diversifying your vocabulary. into more intricate territory. However, whilst the topics are similar, the Level 2 course will focus predominantly on easing into more complex grammar. 

Intermediate Level 1

This intermediate Online Arabic course will introduce you into a more immersive curriculum than the previous levels and this will entail venturing into Arabic culture through a virtual format, communicating with native Arabic speakers and completing everyday tasks.

For example, students may be instructed to roleplay in scenarios such as navigating a Palestinian market, ordering from a restaurant, discussing preferences in art or film or other colloquial and conversational activities. You will also be introduced to subjects in class which touch upon specific issues such as culture, art and politics and learn the vocabulary needed to further converse about these topics in a concise and well-informed manner. 

Intermediate Level 2

This online Arabic course level is intended for those possessing an extensive Arabic vocabulary applicable to a wide range of topics and are seeking further immersion in Arabic. Subsequently, this course level will focus mostly on comprehension in the context of listening, writing, reading and speaking as well as entailing the practical application of Arabic within an online format. The majority of class will be conducted solely in Arabic.

Advanced

This online Arabic course will combine all the previous courses’ curriculums, maintaining the immersive nature of the intermediate levels whilst also expanding into more complex reading, writing and spoken materials. Additionally, alongside establishing a firm competency, you will begin conducting research in your chosen Arabic dialect.

With these methods and materials combined, you will be able to establish a firm understanding and grammatical competence of whichever variety of Arabic you have decided to pursue. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to articulate your thoughts and opinions over complex matters such as politics, history, the environment and the arts of Palestine and the wider diaspora. 

Online Arabic Course Intensities on Offer

Not to be mistaken with course level itself, Online Arabic course intensities regard the frequency at which classes are held as well as their level of immersion and the amount of assigned homework. 

Non-Intensive

We recommend students interested in a more relaxed course load and longer program opt for the non-intensive Online Arabic courses, which are conducted at 1-2 sessions per week with each session lasting 1.5 hours. This intensity is ideal for those with busy schedules or who learn better at longer intervals. 

Intensive

The intensive online Arabic course aims to further immerse you in Arabic language and culture and involves 1 session daily, 5 days a week. As each session is about 1.5 hours a week, this totals to 7.5 hours of class time a week, not including the additional homework and out of classroom assignments expected. 

Super-Intensive

Finally, our super-intensive online Arabic courses are for for students who are looking for an accelerated Arabic program with an immersive format in a high-intensity classroom setting. These online super-intensive Arabic sessions take place twice per day, five days a week and at 1.5 hours for each session, this equates to about 15 hours of class time per week. We recommend those studying less than a month or are specifically looking for an accelerated Arabic program to opt for super-intensive courses. 

Program Costs and Information

Priced competitively with other Arabic courses, program costs for our online programs vary by the number of sessions. As there are no other additional or hidden fees applied to these programs, the cost quoted below is the complete and final cost you will pay. 

Tuition is per session at:

• 185 Euro for 10 sessions
• 370 Euro for 20 sessions
• 550 Euro 30 sessions
• 900 Euro 50 sessions

Program Fees Cover:

• Language courses
• Online materials
• Teacher Salaries
• Operating costs

Online Courses for Your Convenience

Our online Arabic courses are available every day of the week in order to be as accessible as possible for you and your schedule. In addition to choosing which intensity is most fitting, you and your teacher will decide on the best meeting times according to schedules and time-zones. We are more than happy to work with you in order to arrange class times that suit you.

Which Course is for Me?

If you are having difficulty deciding which course to enroll in, we offer a free placement test to evaluate your Arabic language skills in 4 crucial areas: speaking, reading, writing and listening. Indeed, we are always happy to consult you if you have any questions regarding course levels or intensity and our contact information is at the bottom of this page along with our Facebook page and other social media platforms. 

Who Can Participate?

Engage in the West Bank does not discriminate on any basis and this includes nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or any other discernable way. We have a long history of welcoming people from around the globe, from all walks of life and from all backgrounds and identities. All are welcome and we hope to have you!

Previous participants of Engage in the West Bank have hailed from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States! 

What is the Language of the Study Arabic Online Program? 

All of our Arabic online programs are mainly for English speakers, however for the sake of immersion, the higher the Arabic course level the less English will be present in the classroom.

Are There Any Criteria for Participants? 

Altogether, there are only three requirements for partaking in our online Arabic program:

Participant Requirements: 

• Colloquial fluency in English or Arabic
• Aged 16-75 (unless granted special permission by the center’s director) 
• A positive attitude and eagerness to learn

Qualified Teachers

We pride ourselves on our experienced faculty and staff, all of whom are native Palestinian Arabic speakers and with degrees and qualifications in related fields such as Teaching Arabic to Non-native Speakers, Teaching Arabic as a Second Language, Arabic Cultural Studies, Arabic Literary Studies and others. 

A Unique Experience

Although the center hosts volunteers and students from all over the world, many people are unaware of the diversity within Palestine, with only a crude understanding of a culture thousands of years old. By enrolling in this program, you will take part in a unique experience that is sure to change preconceived perspectives and dispel any predetermined notions about Palestine and the wider Arabic-speaking world. 

General Information Regarding Study Arabic Online Program Costs and Components

• Lesson = 45 minutes
• Registration fee: 30€ paid once at registration
• Study materials booklet and books: Free
• Placement Test: Free
• Certificate of completion

Program Reviews 

Since 2011, Engage in the West Bank has welcomed over 1000+ individuals from 40 different countries and whilst we continue to develop our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, for over 10 years our fundamental mission has remained the same: to connect, teach and advance individuals within the local and international community. In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Award,” recognizing our meaningful and unforgettable impact on international travelers. 

Additionally, Engage in the West Bank is famous as one of the best intensive Arabic immersion programs as it is inspires respect for its cultural immersion, friendly staff and atmosphere and its commitment to dispelling misconceptions about Palestine and Palestinians. Therefore, if you have an interest in the culture of Palestine and would like to visit the West Bank alongside your online studies or at another time, please read our program reviews to see if this is the right organization for you:

• +748 reviews (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
• +150 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
• Video testimonials

Summary of the Study Arabic Online Program

Overall, our Study Arabic Online Program is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to learn Arabic from the comfort of their home before venturing into the Arabic-speaking world. It is also an excellent opportunity for those with wider interests such as political science and international relations to gain a greater comprehension for their field while balancing busy schedules. 

Although the Study Arabic Online course is especially ideal for university students to gain academic credit towards their degrees, and for recent graduates to maintain their Arabic language proficiency, our online program is also a suitable option for those who find travel logistically or financially challenging. 

Whatever the reason, our online Arabic lessons are the perfect way for enthusiastic language learners to dip a toe into Arab culture, so if this sounds like the program for you, reach out to us to begin your linguistic journey!

How to Apply for the Study Arabic Online Program

If you would like to take part in our Arabic Online Program, please write to us at Info@ecpalestine.org. We should respond to your initial inquiry within 1-2 business days.

In the subject line of your email, write “Study Arabic Online Program” and we will reply with an application form attached. Please fill this out and return to us to begin the on-boarding process.

Have peaked your interest? Would you like to take part in Study Arabic Online Program? Then write to us right away!

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