Study 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. The Excellence Center offers super-intensive, intensive, and non-intensive immersion Arabic programs in Modern Standard Arabic, as well as dialects such as Levantine (Shami/Ammiya), and Palestinian colloquial Arabic.

Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional, or retiree, our Modern Standard Arabic language programs cater to your needs. Located in the city of Hebron, 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 towards your studies by participating in our Arabic immersion program.

Arabic Classes Span From One Week To Three Months

Our Modern Standard Arabic immersion classes are available year-round, spanning from one week to three months (13 weeks). Additionally, during the summer, we offer dedicated four-week intensive Arabic small group courses.

Whether you’re looking for a short or longer intensive Arabic course in the Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, West Bank, Israel, or Middle East region, we can easily accommodate you and provide you with a full cultural experience. You have the freedom to choose the timing and level of studies that best suit your needs, language ability, learning preferences, and any other preferences you may have.

Modern Standard Arabic Courses

The Excellence Center 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.

Reside With a Palestinian Host Family

At the Excellence Center, studying Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) comes with a unique advantage: the opportunity for students to reside with a Palestinian host family. While female students are guaranteed this opportunity, it is subject to availability for male students due to the conservative nature of Hebron.

This experience is truly special and provides students with a rare chance to practice their Arabic skills with native speakers and gain insight into Palestinian culture, customs, and way of life from within the home.

Classical Or Modern Standard Arabic? 

The terms Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic are sometimes used interchangeably, causing confusion. Classical Arabic, also known as Quranic Arabic, is the 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.

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.

As a result, Arabic speakers across the region can use MSA to communicate with those in different Arab countries who speak different Arabic dialects. Students studying MSA can also use it to communicate while traveling throughout the 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 world of Arabic and opens doors for professional advancement.

Why The Excellence Center?

The Excellence Center 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 choose to 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 as in other Palestinian cities, making it easier to immerse oneself in the language. The local Palestinians are friendly and happy to speak Arabic with students, providing many opportunities to practice.

Hebron, 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 are interested in traveling on the weekends. The Excellence Center 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. Students can join these trips outside of their Arabic lessons.

Impact Of Studying Arabic In Palestine

With all our Arabic courses and volunteer programs, we aim to make a long term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Our programs and courses foster shared learning, for both our community and you. During your Arabic course, you will get to learn so much more than just the language. You will also get to learn a lot about Palestinian culture and customs and the political situation in Palestine.

Additionally, you will have many opportunities while outside the classroom to practice your Arabic in a natural and authentic way while navigating your new life in Hebron. Your time with us in Hebron will also provide you with many opportunities of cultural exchange and mutual learning, both with local Palestinians as well as with our other international participants.

Qualified Teachers

At the Excellence Center, we take pride in our team of faculty and staff, who are all native Arabic speakers. Many of our teachers 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 around the world.

How Will Courses Be Conducted? 

Students enrolled in the Excellence Center’s 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. As a student in this program, you have two options in terms of class style: one-on-one and small groups.

In one-on-one courses, students will have private Arabic lessons with an Arabic language teacher, allowing for a more personalized approach to instruction. This also enables students to retain their instructor’s full attention while allowing the instructor to fully any questions the student might have.

The second option for students is to study as part of a small group, typically 2 or 3 students. While one-on-one courses are more personalized, small groups allow for structured interaction between peers at similar language proficiency levels, which is often an effective strategy for fostering collective linguistic growth.

Arabic Students will be able to practice their Arabic together, collaborate on group projects, enjoy class excursions, and more. Please note that in summer, we run small group classes of 2-5 students (you can read more about our summer course offering further down this page).

In Which Language Is The Program Run?

All of our programs are geared toward English speakers. However for the sake of immersion, the higher the Arabic course level is, the less English will be utilized in the classroom.

Additionally, students will necessarily need to utilize their Arabic skills to the best of their ability when navigating through Palestine, thereby ensuring a fully immersive experience.

Arabic Course Levels On Offer

At the Excellence Center in Palestine, we provide a comprehensive Modern Standard Arabic course that caters to students of all levels, ranging from beginners to advanced learners. Our course is designed 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

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

The Beginner MSA program will create a strong, linguistic foundation from which students may leap into the diversity and complexity of the Arabic language. 

Elementary Level 1

The Elementary Level 1 course is intended to continue where the previous course left off, building on students’ 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.

Elementary Level 2

The Elementary Level 2 course will take the subjects addressed in the Elementary Level 1 course and build on the curriculum, expanding into more intricate territory. Generally speaking, this course will diversify vocabulary even further and expand on topics introduced in the previous level. However, the Level 2 course will still focus predominantly on elementary subjects while easing into more complex grammar. 

Intermediate Level 1

The Intermediate Level 1 course will introduce students into 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. For example, 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.

Students will also be introduced to subjects in class which touch upon specific issues such as culture, art, and politics, and will learn the vocabulary needed to further converse about these topics in a concise and well-informed manner. 

Intermediate Level 2

The Intermediate Level 2 course 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.

This will entail the practical application of Arabic, such as venturing into the Palestinian community of Hebron and interacting with shop keepers and other locals.

Advanced

This course will combine all the previous courses’ curricula, maintaining the immersive nature of the Intermediate levels while also expanding into complex reading, writing, and spoken materials. Additionally, students will conduct research in the community of Hebron on a variety of subjects.

With all these methods and materials combined, students will be able to establish a firm understanding and grammatical competency of Modern Standard 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. 

What Is 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 the Excellence Center in Palestine:

1. Non-Intensive Arabic Course

If you are interested in a long term 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 designed to further immerse students in the Arabic language and culture. These courses are held 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 designed for students who are looking for an accelerated Arabic course in a completely immersive, high-intensity classroom setting. Super-intensive Arabic courses are conducted 5 days a week at 6 lesson hours* of instruction per day, totalling approximately 30 lesson hours* per week. We recommend those studying 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, the Excellence Center in Palestine 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.

Study MSA In Summer

During the summer months, the Excellence Center is at its busiest and most vibrant. With the highest numbers of international students and volunteers, our Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) courses are tailored to provide a unique and enriching experience. From the end of June until late September, we offer intensive courses that are slightly different from our regular curriculum.

On the first of each month (July, August, September), a new four-week intensive course begins, comprising of 4-6 lesson hours of Arabic per day, five days a week, for a total of 80 lesson hours per month. This provides ample opportunity for students to immerse themselves in Arabic language and culture for up to three months during the summer.

We offer a range of levels to cater to students of all abilities. If you are unsure of your level, we can conduct a placement test once you arrive to help you find your level and place you in the correct course. Our course levels include Beginner for those with no prior experience in Arabic, Elementary 1 or 2, Intermediate 1 or 2, and Advanced.

Our summer Modern Standard Arabic programs are taught in small groups, with 2-5 students per course. This allows students to interact closely with their peers and practice their language skills both inside and outside the classroom. You will also have two days off per week (Friday and Saturday) to explore Palestine or use the time as you wish.

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
• Monthly program fee covers:
  • Arabic courses
  • Breakfast
  • Housing
  • Center-led excursions in Hebron
  • Operational costs

A Typical Day At The Excellence Center

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 8:30am (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.

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

You can make your own arrangements for lunch. Sightseeing trips in Hebron are organized by the Excellence Center 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 to the Palestine and Israel region is a large attraction for most of our students. Our courses are designed to give you plenty of free time to explore the exciting destinations within Palestine and Israel. All of our programs are located in the city of Hebron, Palestine, a beautiful and historic city with many shops, cafes, and other offerings.

Most students will have two full days off per week (Friday and another day – usually Saturday) and you are welcome to spend them how you choose. 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 cities such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jericho (and the Dead Sea) Nablus, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Haifa and many more. Traveling around Palestine is relatively easy and affordable.

Indeed, you may be surprised by how fast your schedule will fill up and how quickly your time will fly!

Your Benefits While Studying With Us

• Studying Arabic while being immersed in Palestinian culture, daily life and society while living in Hebron

• Well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you

• Opportunity to improve or practice your Arabic by communicating with native speakers in the local community

• Undertaking trips to the old city, holy sites, other sites, a refugee camp in Hebron and more during your time

• Meetings with Palestinian university, school students and teachers

• Free time to travel to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem (on your own or with fellow volunteers)

• The ability to visit nearby cities as well as in those in Jordan including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, and Wadi Rum

• Accommodation either with a Palestinian family or in our male dorm

• Attendance at Palestinian cultural nights, such as weddings, or those featuring entertainment
• A participant’s certificate upon completion.

When The MSA Course Takes Place

The Excellence Center in Palestine offers year-round enrollment, with students able to choose their own starting and ending dates for their program. We prioritize flexibility and aim to accommodate our students’ schedules as much as possible.

For those interested in a more concentrated program, we offer four-week intensive small group courses during the summer months. These courses are designed to provide an immersive experience and focused learning environment.

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 it was formed in 2011, the Excellence Center 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, the Excellence Centre is situated 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 the Excellence Center too.

Awards And Recognition

The Excellence Center in Hebron has now over 10 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 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”.

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

In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Excellence Center’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. 

Check out our many great reviews here:

• 570+ Reviews (96%) on Gooverseas.com
• 120+ Reviews (94%) on Goabroad.com
• Participants’ video testimonials

How To Get A Visa To Study Arabic In Palestine

Generally, upon your arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv Airport), Israel, you will be granted a tourist visa valid for 90 days. You can also get this visa upon arrival at Eilat Airport in Israel or at one of the land border crossings with Egypt or Jordan. This tourist visa is sufficient to participate in our Arabic courses.

Usually, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, Britons, Australians and most Europeans in order to enter Palestine (and Israel), as they usually qualify for the visa exemption agreement.

Traveling to Hebron, Palestine

We know that our students often have questions about how to get to Hebron and how you can make your way to the Excellence Center.

You may find all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron and the Excellence Center with some 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 Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) to Hebron

If you have any further inquiries about travel to Palestine, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our contact information can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Tel Aviv Airport Pickup

The Excellence Center 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 160 Euro. Please contact us if you are interested in this option and we can arrange it for you.

How To Fly To Palestine:

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

• Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (Israel). It takes about two and a half hours from the airport to the Excellence Center 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.

Summary

Our Modern Standard Arabic courses provide a strong grammatical foundation and immersion in the literary world, useful for professions such as law, diplomacy, journalism, and international business. Studying MSA first can also make learning colloquial dialects easier. MSA is widely spoken across the Middle East and North Africa, making it useful for travel and interacting with the Arab diaspora.

Our immersion-based Arabic courses offer a fantastic opportunity for students of all backgrounds to improve their Arabic skills. We offer academic credit for university students and flexible course lengths from 1-13 weeks year-round. During your time with us, you will be immersed in Palestinian culture and daily life, with opportunities to practice Arabic outside of the classroom and explore Hebron’s sights.

How To Apply

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

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

Related Arabic Programs

How To Get Further Information 

For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/

Whatsapp:+9725-99-479-880

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

Excellence Center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

Excellence Center’s 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