Study Arabic in Palestine (1-13 Weeks): Whatever your reason, if you’re interested in learning spoken Arabic in the West Bank, our Study Arabic in Palestine language program is for you. With the options of super-intensive, intensive and non-intensive immersion Arabic programs the Excellence Center welcomes all guests year-round seeking to learn this beautiful language. We also offer summer courses in dialects such as Levantine (Shami/Ammiya), Palestinian colloquial Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic (Classical Arabic).
Whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, professional or retiree, our intensive Arabic language programs are designed for you. Living and learning in the city of Hebron, West Bank, our Arabic language lessons cover all levels of Arabic language studies: first time learners, beginners, intermediate level speakers and advanced learners.
Our Arabic immersion classes span from one week to three months (13 Weeks) year-round (Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring). If you are looking for a concise or extensive intensive Arabic course in the area of the Middle East – Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria or are interested in the full cultural experience, we can easily accommodate you. You are free to choose the timings and level of studies to suit your needs, language ability, learning preferences or other wishes.
One Big Family
Everyone at the Excellence Center is one big family. This environment creates a unique learning experience where our Arabic students feel at home, engaging all their senses. Studying Arabic at the Excellence Center in Palestine will give you the opportunity to study the language and also practice what you learn during your visit through the friendships you make.
Learning Arabic at the Excellence Center in Palestine, West Bank will help you pick up the language faster than in a country where most of the population doesn’t speak Arabic. Native speakers help correct students if they make mistakes and teach them how to use Arabic vocabularies in situations they might face. Knowing the language of the country that you stay in, will help you better enjoy your time there.
Living with a Palestinian host family will encourage you to speak Arabic with your family members without hesitation. You will be able to attend many celebrations and get-togethers and learn more about Palestinian culture and the Middle East.
An Opportunity to Visit Palestine
Whatever your purpose, the Excellence Center provides international students with the opportunity to visit Palestine, study Arabic with a native Arabic speaker, and learn about Palestinian culture and the Middle East. The Excellence Center takes pride in welcoming individuals of different nationalities, faiths, and cultures. There is no such thing as a “foreigner” for us; we enjoy spending our time and sharing experiences with people offering their unique cultural viewpoints.
Our immersive Arabic language programs in the West Bank, Palestine enable students to learn Arabic rapidly through full language and cultural immersion. We offer year-round Arabic lessons in Palestinian and Levantine (Amiyya/Shami) colloquial dialect, and Modern Standard Arabic. Classes take place in the city of Hebron, where you will live the Palestinian culture, get insight into Middle Eastern politics and daily life. You will practice the language daily with local Palestinians and other students at the center.
What Do You Get from the Excellence Center?
Included in your Arabic immersion program is:
- Assistance from skilled, attentive Arabic teachers with strong educational backgrounds
- All required books and study materials
- A welcoming atmosphere and Palestinian hospitality
- Students, interns, volunteers, and staff members gather for Palestinian breakfast, six days a week
- Living in and learning about one of the Middle East’s most politically divided and ambiguous places
- Visits to various sites in Hebron (including Palestinian refugee camps, the old city, different factories, businesses, municipal, health and educational offices, media etc.)
- Pre-departure and post-departure assistance on your travel to and from Palestine
- Accommodation in a shared flat or with a Palestinian host family
- A certificate upon completion
As an international student studying Arabic in Palestine, you will get the opportunity to meet Palestinian university and school students, as well as members of the Hebron community and local organizations.
Travel to Palestine/Israel
Take the chance to travel on your own and see exceptional tourist sights from a local’s point of view, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho.
Moreover, weekends in Israel exploring famous historical cities such as Jericho, Jerusalem, Akko, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Tiberias, Nazareth, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Masada are awaiting you! Travel to Jordan’s most ancient sites in Petra, Amman, Wadi Rum, Irbid and Aqaba and broaden your experiences in the Middle East!
Enjoy Small Class Sizes
The Excellence Center offers year-round intensive/non-intensive Arabic language courses, short-term Arabic and summer intensive Arabic programs with a maximum class size of three and six distinct levels to fit any Arabic language experience and competence.
Our Arabic Palestinian teachers create sufficient space for discussion and inclusive involvement, as well as personalized attention. The institution provides a comprehensive curriculum (books and materials included) covering all areas of the Arabic language at six individual levels.
The center pays particular attention to the engagement of its students and practical language use. The programs we offer include Palestinian colloquial Levantine Arabic courses also known as Ammiya and Shami dialects as well as Modern Standard Arabic courses.
Staying with a Palestinian Host Family
Depending on personal wish and availability, the Excellence Center provides international Arabic students with the opportunity to stay with a Palestinian host family to practice their Arabic in everyday life, learn more about the Palestinian culture, and experience daily Palestinian life.
However, homestay is only guaranteed for female students and is subject to availability for male students. Therefore, we encourage enrolling to your preferred program as soon as possible to secure your spot and homestay.
Great Reviews and Community Awards
Since 2011, the Excellence Center in Palestine has welcomed visitors from all around the world. While we are always improving our programs to deliver the finest learning experience possible, our core objective remains the same: to connect, teach, and enhance individuals and their learning experience as well as promote exchange between the local and international communities.
We continue to strive towards “Excellence”: 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 five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. The Excellence Center 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”.
We continue to aim for “Excellence”: in 2021, we were named one of the top three volunteer programs in the world. Go Overseas awarded us the community choice awards in the categories “best language school,” “fun” and “teaching.”
In 2019, we got our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to recognize the Excellence Center’s effect on the global travel community. The Excellence Center is a highly rated travel company across all program offerings. Check out our many positive feedbacks here:
- +730 Reviews and ratings (95%) on Gooverseas.com
- +160 Reviews and ratings (91%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Over 13 Years of Experience
Since 2011, the Excellence Center in Palestine has been offering Arabic classes to non-native speakers. We have had over a thousand overseas guests and have created several Arabic immersion programs and Arabic online classes over the years to suit your needs.
Our cutting-edge teaching methods that we continuously enhance year after year, have set us ahead in our field as an Arabic language school. Education is a dynamic process that is continually evolving, and you will be a part of it!
Why Should I Join The Intensive Arabic Immersion Program?
Here are a few reasons for joining the Intensive Arabic Immersion program in Palestine, West Bank:
1. Fastest Way to Learn Arabic
The Year-Round Intensive Arabic Courses and Summer Intensive Arabic programs are the best option for those who want to accelerate their language learning. We give students 4-6 hours of Arabic sessions every day. You will complete the equivalent of one semester of Arabic language study in just four weeks, resulting in increased language retention and proficiency.
2. Connect with Palestinian Culture
Our Arabic program is the best way to achieve language proficiency for people who want to learn Arabic in the West Bank, Palestine. Practice with local Palestinian and native speakers whilst living their daily life. We also offer the opportunity to stay with a local Palestinian host family for further immersion. Acquiring Palestinian spoken dialect will connect you with the region’s rich history and will better help you to understand its contemporary role in the Arab world and internationally.
3. Wide Selection of Dialects
Choose from a range of dialects, such as Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine (Shami/Ammiya) colloquial dialects, Classical and Palestinian Arabic. These courses are perfect for you whether you need to learn or improve your Arabic for work, business, travelling, religion or any other reason.
Study over the Summer
The summer intensive Arabic programs and short-term Arabic courses are ideal for those with a summer break, students on semester breaks, professionals on a sabbatical or any individuals looking to study on an extended visit to learn Arabic in Palestine, Israel and the Middle East. The Excellence Center offers Summer Intensive Arabic programs that span from June to September and include 4-6 hours of Arabic study per day.
Students of Arabic engage in a variety of activities and fully immerse into the Palestinian culture, politics and history while visiting Palestinian refugee camps and schools in Palestine, exploring neighboring communities, peeping into local organizations and businesses, media as well as municipal offices and infrastructure, receiving invitations to family festivities and local celebrations. Palestinian Colloquial Arabic allows you to practice and improve your individual language skills quickly.
Non-Intensive, Intensive or Super-Intensive Arabic Courses
All Arabic course levels at our Arabic language school are offered in a variety of intensities, which determine the frequency of lessons as well as the amount of immersion and out-of-classroom course work.
- Non-intensive Arabic classes meet for a total of 12 hours each week, with 3 hours of study per day, three days per week. This intensity is intended to provide you with ample in-class immersion while also allowing you to thoroughly explore the city of Hebron. Students interested in a long-term program (anything from 1 to 3 months) should enroll in a non-intensive Arabic course.
- Following that, the intense Arabic course is meant to further immerse you in the Arabic language and culture; these sessions are 20 hours per week, with around 4 hours of Arabic language teaching per day, 5 days per week. Intensive Arabic courses will also include extra homework and out-of-class assignments.
- The super intense Arabic program, the third and final course level, is for people who seek a totally immersed, high intensity classroom-oriented experience. These courses offer a total of 30 hours Arabic lessons per week, with 5 hours of language teaching per day, 5 days per week. We normally propose super intense courses to students enrolled in short-term Arabic programs because of the increased study load (1 – 4 weeks).
General Information Regarding our Intensive and Non-intensive Arabic Courses:
| Our Arabic Immersion Classes | Super Intensive Program | Intensive Program | Non-Intensive Program |
| Program Duration | 1-13 Weeks | 1-13 Weeks | 1-13 Weeks |
| Lessons Per Week | 30 Lessons | 20 Lessons | 12 Lessons |
| Days Per Week | 5 Days | 5 Days | 3 Days. |
| Arabic Lesson Duration | 45 Minutes | 45 Minutes | 45 Minutes |
| Class Size | Private Lessons Small Class (2-3) | Private Lessons Small Class (2-3) | Private Lessons Small Class (2-3) |
| Program Levels | 6 Levels, Starters to advanced | 6 Levels starters to advanced | 6 Levels Starters to advanced |
| Lessons 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 |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime | Flexible – Anytime | Flexible – Anytime |
| Weekly Classroom Hours | 30 Hours | 20 Hours | 12 Hours |
| Program Fee of One Week | 30 Lessons = 700€ | 20 Lessons = 450€ | 12 Lessons = 370€ |
| University Credit | Available | Available | Available |
| Reviews and Ratings | Reviews and ratings on Gooverseas.com | Reviews and ratings on Goabroad.com | Participants’ video testimonials |
- 45-minute lesson
- Registration fee: 30€ (Euro), payable at the time of registration.
- Books and booklets for study: Free
- Free placement test
- Completion certificate
- Breakfast, lodging, Arabic instruction, and excursions to several institutions in Hebron are all included in the fees. Trips to the historic city of Hebron, for example, may include visits to glass and ceramic manufacturers, local businesses, local municipal offices, health institutions, refugee camps, and public parks, as well as local colleges such as the Palestine Polytechnic University and the Hebron University.
Program Details and Study Options
You may enroll in an Arabic language course of your choice or choose one of the intensive Arabic study abroad programs listed below.
Flexible Year Round Intensive Arabic Programs
Intensive Arabic courses are available all year. Each course lasts four weeks, and students can progress to the next level by passing a final test and delivering an oral presentation.
Individual Arabic Courses
The Excellence Center provides private Arabic classes in a variety of dialects, both intense and non-intensive, taught one-on-one by a native Palestinian teacher. As an Arabic learner, you will be able to tailor your Arabic course to your own requirements and desires. Our Palestinian teachers will tailor a curriculum to your specific needs, whether you want to learn Palestinian spoken Arabic, Levantine (Ammiya/Shami) Arabic, or Classical/Standard Arabic.
We offer an extensive range of immersive Arabic courses that include both standardized Arabic sessions and local colloquial dialects from Syria, Palestine, and other Levantine countries. As a result, our Arabic classes are appropriate for a wide spectrum of students, from international business employees, diplomats, and travellers to those who want to study the Quran.
Online Arabic courses
In addition to the programs offered in Hebron, the center also offers intensive and non-intensive online Arabic lessons, taught by qualified Palestinian instructors on a one-on-one basis. More information on these programs can be found here: Levantine (Ammiya/Shami) and Palestinian Arabic online lessons.
Summer Intensive Arabic Programs
For students interested in studying Arabic throughout the summer, the Excellence Center offers programs that span from June to September. Ranging from 4-6 hours of Arabic study per day, the summer programs combine a language focus with full learning and engagement in Palestinian culture, politics and history.
Winter Intensive Arabic Programs
While summer study abroad programs are more popular, the Excellence Center also provides Arabic intensive programs during the winter months. Students who want to enhance their Arabic by participating in an authorized study abroad program for four weeks over the winter break can do so in our December and January sessions.
Intensive Arabic Semester or Year Programs
Intensive Arabic semester programs are perfect for university students who want to immerse themselves in the Arabic language and culture during their semester abroad. Through this program, the Excellence Center offers intense Arabic training as well as courses in a range of other specialized disciplines such as human rights, women’s rights, Palestinian cuisine, teaching English as a foreign language to Palestinian youth and Hebron’s community.
Arabic Language Proficiency Level
1. Starter Arabic Courses
This course is designed for students who have no prior understanding of the Arabic language. It begins with learning the alphabet and progresses to reading, writing, and basic conversational speech.
2. Beginner Arabic Courses
Beginner I and Beginner II are the core tiers of beginner courses. These classes are intended for learners who have a basic understanding of Arabic and want to improve their speaking, writing, reading, and listening abilities.
3. Intermediate Arabic Courses
There are two levels of intermediate courses: Intermediate I and Intermediate II. These classes give students the opportunity to engage in Arabic discussions with native speakers in order to enhance their conversational abilities. We also work hard to improve students’ reading, writing, and listening skills.
4. Advanced Arabic Courses
Students at this level focus on maintaining and enhancing their speaking and writing abilities.
Placement Test
Students with prior knowledge of Arabic and those who are unsure about which course to take, are required to take an Arabic placement exam after completing their application in order for us to design our teaching according to their individual needs and language proficiency.
The free placement exam will assess your abilities in four critical areas: speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
Furthermore, if you have any requests concerning the course level or intensity, we are happy to chat and find individually tailored solutions.
What Arabic dialects can you learn?
The Excellent Center offers immersion programs in a variety of dialects and intensities, as seen below.
| Super-Intensive, Intensive & Non-Intensive Arabic Immersion Courses | Individual Levantine (Ammiya/Shami) Arabic Courses |
| Colloquial Palestinian Arabic Program | Study Arabic Courses for Arabs |
| Modern Standard Arabic Programs | Shami (اللهجة الشامية) Arabic Programs |
| Ammiya/Shami Intensive Arabic Programs | Palestinian & Levantine (Shami) Online Arabic Courses |
| Mixed Arabic Courses (Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Palestinian Arabic) | Arabic Language Course for the Quran |
Modern Standard Arabic Intensive Courses
Except for small differences in phrasing and diction, Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic are widely regarded the same dialect. Because Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic have the same vocabulary, students who enroll in our Modern Standard Arabic programs will be well prepared to understand Classical Arabic.
Modern Standard Arabic (Classical Arabic) courses are taught at eight distinct levels at the Excellence Center, ranging from total beginner to extremely proficient.
Modern Standard Arabic Course Details: >>
Palestinian Colloquial Arabic Courses
The Study Palestinian Arabic curriculum is ideal for students who want to immerse themselves in the unique culture of Palestine and the Levant, as well as those who want to connect with the larger Palestinian diaspora abroad. Traveling to Hebron and learning the Palestinian spoken dialect will immerse you in the region’s rich history and help you better comprehend its current position in the Arab world and worldwide.
The Palestinian Colloquial Arabic classes at the Excellence Center are accessible at six distinct levels, ranging from beginner to intermediate and advanced.
Palestinian Colloquial Arabic: Course details: >>
Levantine (Ammiya/Shami) Colloquial Arabic
The Study Levantine (Ammiya/Shami) Arabic curriculum is an excellent way to broaden your spoken Arabic skills to include the Levantine dialect. This colloquial Arabic course is designed to immerse you into Middle Eastern and Palestinian culture, politics and history. It focuses intently on your practical language skills such as speaking, reading and listening. You may choose this course as part of the summer intensive Arabic program, short-term Arabic course or year-round Arabic program according to your time schedule.
Fortunately for program participants, our facility is located in the lively city of Hebron, a center of commerce and production, in the heart of the Levant. Because Levantine (Ammiya/Shami) Arabic is one of the most commonly spoken Arabic dialects, learning it is the ideal passport to the Arabic-speaking globe.
Levantine Colloquial Arabic Course details: >>
Traveling To and From Hebron
These four articles will provide you with all of the information you need to travel to the Excellence Center in Hebron, Palestine:
- How to fly to Palestine
- How to get to Hebron, Palestine
- Planning your trip to Palestine
- How to go from the Ben Gurion Airport, Israel to Hebron
Flying to Palestine from Abroad
Unfortunately, there are no airports in Palestine, however we feel that the following are the most convenient methods to reach the Excellence Center in Hebron:
- To travel to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (Israel). The shared taxi ride from the airport to the Excellence Center in Hebron takes around two and a half hours.
- You may fly to Eilat airport and then take a shuttle or bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. The entire journey may take 6-7 hours.
- You may alternatively travel to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then pass into Palestine, although this takes longer and is more expensive.
Tel Aviv Airport Pickups
The staff of the Excellence Center may arrange for a cab to directly pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport and take you straight to Hebron and the Excellence Center. This is the quickest and easiest way to travel to the Excellence Center (approximately 1 hour, 60 km/37 miles).
This journey via private taxi costs around 160 Euro. If you are interested in this option, please contact the Excellence Center’s staff.
Traveling to Palestine on Your Own?
Do you want to study Arabic in Hebron, Palestine, but are concerned about being alone? No need to worry, you’ve arrived at the perfect location!
You will quickly meet a large number of Palestinian university and high school students, as well as community members of all walks of life with a wide range of interests. Indeed, Palestinians in Hebron, in particular, like meeting new people from diverse cultures to exchange ideas and experiences while enjoying a cup of tea together.
Furthermore, the Excellence Center welcomes many international guests from across the world who will be studying, volunteering, visiting or interning during their stay, offering you the opportunity to connect with them during the center’s educational and community events.
Everyone at the Excellence Center is one big family, Palestinian students, international visitors, and staff alike. There are always activities on offer that bring us together, especially since Hebron offers a memorable social environment for international visitors.
Pre-departure Support
The personnel of the Excellence Center in Palestine will arrange conversations with you through Zoom or Whatsapp, write invitation letters, issue travel instructions, and advise you on other subjects relating to your trip to Hebron, Palestine.
Visa to Palestine
When international participants of the Study Arabic in Palestine program fly to Israeli airports or transit from Jordan to the West Bank, they are usually awarded a three-month tourist visa that allows them to freely travel across Israel and Palestine.
In general, Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans do not require a visa to enter Palestine. Please see the visa exemption agreement for further information on other nationalities.
Application Deadline?
To assist with planning, we ask that you send your application via email at least one week before the start date of your selected Arabic intensive program or individual Arabic course.
If you miss the deadline, you may still email us to see if we still have open places in our classes in Palestine.
How to Get the Application Form and Book your Arabic Course
Please send an email with the subject line “Study Arabic in Palestine” to Rafat@excellencenter.org. The application form will then be emailed to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if I want to study Arabic for a semester or a year. Are there any other long-term study options?
For those interested in a traditional academic semester-style study program, the Academic Study Abroad program will suit your needs. Of course, you can also choose to combine intensive and semester-style Arabic courses during your time with the Excellence Center.
2. Can I add more hours to my study program?
Without any doubt! Students in all of our programs have the option of adding additional Arabic lessons, with each additional hour costing 25 Euro. If you are interested in adding Arabic hours, please let us know in your email and we would gladly organize them for you.
3. What is the minimum duration of the Intensive Courses?
The minimal study period is 1 week. However, we typically recommend super intensive courses to those who are enrolled in short term programs (1 – 4 weeks) because of the increased study load.
4. How long does it take to complete one intensive course?
An intensive Arabic course requires at least 4 weeks of study to finish (around 80 hours of class time).
5. What if there aren’t any students at my proficiency level?
Every year, about 50 students attend the Excellence Center. We occasionally receive students who are the only ones at their level of skill. When this occurs, the student can continue to take the level of Arabic they initially selected, albeit with less class hours, until new people join the class.
Join Our Family in Palestine!
Whenever you’re ready, we are! Our intensive Arabic courses are available at all levels on a year-round basis. You are always guaranteed a place at the center to learn Arabic in Palestine at any time of your choice. Our courses range from 1-13 weeks, perfect for short term or long term Arabic courses. We provide super-intensive, intensive and non-intensive immersion programs in dialects such as Levantine (Ammiya/Shami), Palestinian colloquial Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic.
The Excellence Center’s year round intensive Arabic courses are open to any student who would like to learn or progress in their Arabic skills rapidly. Whether you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student, or simply an avid language lover, these classes will help to improve your Arabic language skills through the technique of cultural and classroom immersion in The West Bank, Palestine.
We have welcomed Arabic students from around the world into our Arabic immersion and seasonal programs. Our Arabic lessons are suitable for a wide range of learners (starters, beginners, intermediate and advanced), from international businesspeople, diplomats and travelers to people wishing to read the Quran. We can easily tailor Arabic courses to your wish; you are free to choose the time and level of studies to suit your needs, language ability, learning preferences.
Related Arabic Programs
Find us online
Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
Study in Palestine: https://studyinpalestine.org/
Engage in Palestine: https://ecpalestine.org/
Volunteer in Palestine: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
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
