Study Palestinian Arabic: Enroll in our top-tier language program and study Palestinian Arabic at the Excellence Center! We are well known as one of the best Arabic language schools in Palestine. Our strategic location in Hebron (an affordable and bustling city in the West Bank) creates an ideal atmosphere to learn the Ammiya Arabic dialect (This dialect is spoken throughout Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan).
Our Study Palestinian Arabic Immersion Program offers a unique opportunity for those wishing to learn colloquial Palestinian Arabic. You will connect with the wider Palestinian diaspora on an intimate level, and surround yourself in the diverse culture of Palestine/the greater Levant. This program is also designed for individuals who are interested in learning about the region’s rich history and culture. We also welcome those seeking to better understand Palestine’s contemporary situation and build genuine/impactful relationships.
Our Palestinian Arabic immersion classes are available year-round and range from one week to three months (this includes Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring semesters). If you are looking for an intensive Palestinian Arabic course near Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the West Bank, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon or anywhere in the Middle East, we will accommodate your specific needs. You are free to choose the timings, level of studies, and any learning preferences you may have to meet your language needs/personal interests.
What Do You Get from the Excellence Center?
Included in your Study Palestinian Arabic Program is:
- Assistance from skilled, attentive Arabic teachers. Each one having a strong and extensive educational background
- All required books and study materials (specific to your language learning needs)
- A family atmosphere and the chance to experience the famous Palestinian hospitality
- Students, interns, volunteers, and staff members gather for a traditional Palestinian breakfast (six days a week).
- Experiencing firsthand, one of the most politically divided and ambiguous places in The Middle East.
- Excursions to various sites throughout Hebron (including Palestinian refugee camps, the old city, different factories, businesses, municipal, health/educational offices, media, and more).
- Pre-departure and post-departure assistance
- Living accommodation in a shared flat or with a Palestinian host family
- A certificate upon completion
Great Opportunities to Meet Palestinian
As an international student studying Arabic in Palestine, you will have many opportunities to meet Palestinian university/school students. You will also meet members of the Hebron community and local organizations.
Explore world renowned tourist sights from a local’s point of view. This includes Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho. You will also have the opportunity to travel during the weekends to historic cities in Israel such as Jerusalem, Akko, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Tiberias, Nazareth, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Masada, and more.
You will also have the option to travel throughout Jordan’s ancient sites in Petra, Amman, Wadi Rum, Irbid, and Aqaba. There are endless wonders to explore and discover!
Why Study Palestinian Colloquial Arabic?
If you enroll in The Excellence Center’s Palestinian Arabic Language Program (in the West Bank) you will be able to learn the colloquial Palestinian dialect of Arabic. This will create the opportunity to connect deeper with the larger Palestinian diaspora, and immerse yourself in the unique culture of Palestine/ the Levant.
These Palestinian Arabic immersion programs are tailored for anyone interested in learning about the region’s rich history and culture. You will gain a more intimate understanding of the current situation in Palestine while creating genuine relationships with others. Whether you are a student, a professional, or a language enthusiast, our short term Arabic programs can help you achieve your specific goals/aspirations.
Palestinian Arabic For Each Level
The Excellence Center offers courses in Palestinian Colloquial Arabic at every level (Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced). At each of these levels, we offer the option of intensive or non-intensive study/lessons. Language classes are held everyday with the exception of Friday (The center is closed on Fridays).
The specific level and intensity of the Arabic program will dictate your schedule. In general, non-intensive programs have three classes per week, while intensive programs have five classes per week. Those who choose to work with the Excellence Center as a volunteer or through a community service role will have the opportunity to have three hours of free intensive Arabic courses every week.
Great Reviews and Community Awards
Since 2011, the Excellence Center in Palestine has welcomed visitors from all around the world. Even though we are constantly improving our programs to deliver the finest learning experience possible, our core objective remains unchanged: to connect, teach, and develop individuals. Additionally, to promote/encourage exchange in the local and international communities.
We continue to strive towards “excellence”:
In 2022, we were rated as “one of the top three organisations worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities” AND “one of the top three language schools worldwide” by Go Overseas. We also received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards. The Excellence Center was recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and as one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
In 2021, we were named as one of the top three volunteer programs in the world. Go Overseas awarded us the community choice awards in the categories of “best language school”, “fun”, and “teaching”.
In 2019, we received our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” which recognized The Excellence Center’s positive effect on the global travel community.
The Excellence Center is a highly rated travel company. We are highly acclaimed throughout the world! Check out our plethora of positive feedbacks here:
- +680 Reviews and ratings (95%) on Gooverseas.com
- +150 Reviews and ratings (91%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Completely Immersed Experience
To provide students with a completely immersive experience, the Excellence Center places them with a Palestinian host family throughout their time in Hebron. This ensures that students use Arabic on a daily basis by extending their education outside of the classroom and into daily life. Staying with a host family also provides students with a unique opportunity to experience Palestinian culture and daily living firsthand.
The Study Palestinian Arabic Program is suitable for ALL (students, recent graduates, working adults, retirees, and anyone in between). Whether you want to learn more about Palestine/the Levant, travel around the region, advance your professional career, explore your heritage, or simply broaden your knowledge, this program will be entertaining as well as instructive. University students are especially encouraged to apply, as The Excellence Center offers academic credit through its collaboration with the Palestinian Educational Authority.
What Makes Palestinian Colloquial Arabic Special?
Palestinian Arabic is a distinct regional dialect of Arabic that is native to Palestine and the wider Palestinian diaspora. With over 13 million native speakers worldwide, it is one of the most widely spoken and recognizable dialects of Arabic.
The Palestinian dialect is a sub-dialect of Levantine Arabic, which is spoken throughout the Levant region. The Levant encompasses a broad geographical area that includes Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine. In broader definitions, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, and a small portion of Iraq. Situated in the Eastern Mediterranean of the Middle East, the Levant is home to a diverse population of 44.5 million people with a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities.
Variants of Palestinian Dialects
While being a sub-dialect of Levantine Arabic (Shami Arabic), Palestinian Colloquial Arabic can vary considerably (even within villages). Palestinians’ regional and social backgrounds have a significant impact on the dialect they speak. Urban (madani), rural (falahi), and bedouin dialects are the three primary dialects. Even with these variations/sub-dialects that make up Levantine Arabic, spoken Palestinian Arabic is still easily distinguishable throughout the Arab diaspora and in all Arabic-speaking nations.
- Madani: Palestinian Urban Dialect.
The urban dialect of Palestine (madani) is similar to the northern Levantine Arabic that is spoken in Lebanon and Syria. The “hamza” pronunciation of the Arabic “qaf” sound makes the urban accent most famous.
- Falahi: Palestinian Rural Dialect
Arabic that is spoken by farmers or peasants (falahi) has a close connection with rural dialects in Lebanon and the outer southern Levant. Male and female plural pronouns may be easily distinguished from one another.
- Bedouin: Old Palestinian Arabic
Native to the deserts of the Middle East, Bedouin Arabic is most commonly seen/heard within some villages in the Gaza Strip, Hebron, and Jerusalem. It is fairly simple to distinguish them from any other dialect in Palestine because of their distinctive vocabulary. Also, their preservation of interdental consonants. In fact, the Bedouin dialect is the oldest dialect in the region that is still used and spoken by Bedouins today.
Why Learn Palestinian Arabic?
Palestine has one of the richest and most diverse cultures in the world. This is thanks to its long history, unique geographic location, and religious significance. The region has been home to at least five major empires and sits at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Palestinian Colloquial Arabic is widely spoken and highly regarded due to the area’s significance.
In addition to its vast cultural importance, Palestinian Arabic is an ideal dialect for those interested in reading Arabic literature or using it for professional purposes. This is because it shares many similarities with Modern Standard Arabic (the formal version used for writing and official communication). Learning Palestinian Arabic is also an excellent way to authentically integrate into the Arabic-speaking community, regardless of one’s background or situation.
Learning Palestinian Arabic Has Many Advantages:
- Gain knowledge of one of the most spoken and understood Arabic dialects.
- You will be able to travel around the Levant with ease, while forging genuine relationships.
- The language can help you understand significantly more about Palestine’s complex history and culture.
General Information about Palestinian Arabic
| Number of Palestinian Speakers | Approximately 13 million |
| Language Family | Afro-Asiatic > Semitic |
| Dialects | Fellahi Madani |
| Writing system | Arabic alphabet |
Specific Course Information
The Study Palestinian Arabic Program offers 4 different course levels. The range/flexibility of our Palestinian Arabic Language courses is designed to provide students with the widest possible range of learning alternatives, while also being specially crafted to meet your exact language requirements.
The Excellence Center’s courses are all created to fully immerse students in Arabic language/culture while also preparing them for the lifelong endeavor of acquiring a second language! You may see a list of the courses offered in this program below.
| Palestinian Arabic Course Level | Elementary Beginner Intermediate Advanced |
| Pace | Super Intensive Intensive Non-intensive |
| Style | Private in-person Small group Online virtual |
Palestinian Colloquial Arabic Course Levels On Offer
1. Beginner
Students with absolutely no prior knowledge of the Arabic language are ideal for this course. The Arabic alphabet, writing systems, principles of grammar, phonetics, common vocabulary, and everyday expressions are just a few of the key components that this course will present. This course will provide students with a strong linguistic foundation to learn spoken Palestinian Arabic. From here, you will begin your journey into the rich, diverse, and continuously evolving world of spoken Palestinian Arabic.
2. Elementary
The aim of this Palestinian Arabic course is to build on the student’s existing understanding of the Arabic language at a fundamental level. This calls for the inclusion of new vocabulary, a mix of grammatical rules that are slightly more sophisticated, in addition to frequent reading, writing, and speaking assignments.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to communicate, read, and write about everyday topics including shopping, asking for directions, and expressing preferences. This is an excellent option for those who have taken beginner Arabic classes before but wish to focus on learning the Palestinian dialect.
3. Intermediate
Students will be introduced to a more intensive curriculum; this will involve traveling to the Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron to interact with locals and carry out daily duties. Students may be asked to make purchases from a Palestinian market, place a restaurant order, talk about their views on a specific subject, or engage in other informal activities. Additionally, students will be introduced to themes such as politics, art, and culture. Students will gain the terminology required to further discuss these topics in a clear and knowledgeable manner.
4. Advanced
This Palestinian Arabic course will incorporate all of the previous course curricula, retaining the immersive aspect of the Intermediate level while also extending into more advanced reading, writing, and spoken content. In addition, students will perform research on a number of topics throughout the community of Hebron. Students will be able to build a strong grasp of grammatical proficiency in Palestinian Colloquial Arabic by combining all of these approaches and materials. After completing this course, students will be able to explain their views/opinions on difficult issues including politics, history, the environment, and Palestinian art.
What is the Difference Between Course Intensities?
All our Palestinian Arabic course levels at Language School are offered in a variety of intensities. This affects the frequency of lessons, the level of immersion and the amount of out-of-classroom course work.
- Non-intensive Palestinian 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) are recommended to enroll in a non-intensive Arabic course.
- Following that, the intense Palestinian 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 intensive Palestinian 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 suggest super intense courses to students enrolled in short-term Arabic programs because of the increased study load, (1 – 4 weeks).
General Information Regarding Palestinian Arabic Courses
| Palestinian Arabic Courses | Super-Intensive Program | Intensive Program | Non-Intensive Program |
| Program Duration | 1-13 weeks | 1-13 weeks | 1-13 weeks |
| Lessons Per Month | 30 | 20 | 12 |
| Days Per Week | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Lesson Duration | 45 minutes | 45 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Average Class Size | 1-3 students | 1-3 students | 1-3 students |
| Maximum Class Size | 3 students | 3 students | 3 students |
| Program Levels | Beginner Elementary Intermediate Advanced | Beginner Elementary Intermediate Advanced | Beginner Elementary Intermediate Advanced |
| Lesson Periods | Morning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00 | Morning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00 | Morning 8:30-12:30 Afternoon 12:30-16:00 |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline | No Deadline | No Deadline |
| Start/End Dates | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible |
| Program Fee Per Week | 700€ | 450€ | 370€ |
| University Credit | Available | Available | Available |
- 45-minute lesson
- Registration fee: 30€, 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 Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University.
Summer Palestinian Arabic Programs
The Excellence Center offers a Summer Palestinian Arabic Language Program in Hebron, West Bank. This program runs from June to late September, allowing participants to choose when they want to join. The program starts on the 1st day of each month (June, July, August, and September) and has three 4-week sessions. This gives participants the opportunity to spend up to three months studying and living in Palestine.
The Summer Palestinian Arabic Language Program is ideal for those seeking an intensive Arabic course during the summer in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East in general. Whether you’re interested in Arabic for personal, professional, or academic reasons, our program is designed for you. We offer super-intensive and intensive immersion summer programs in dialects such as Levantine (Ammiya) and Palestinian colloquial Arabic, providing you with the opportunity to improve your Arabic language skills while immersing yourself in Palestinian culture.
Online Palestinian Arabic Programs
We offer both intense and non-intensive online courses in Palestinian Arabic, taught by certified Palestinian teachers and instructors. To learn more about these programs, you can follow this link: Levantine and Palestinian Arabic online lessons.
Studying Palestinian Arabic online is an excellent way to connect with the wider Palestinian diaspora and immerse yourself in the diverse culture of Palestine. With approximately 13 million speakers worldwide, Palestinian Arabic is one of the most widely-spoken and recognizable dialects of Arabic.
Although Palestinian Arabic is a sub-dialect of Levantine Arabic (Ammiya Arabic), it can vary between villages and has further variations originating from rural Fellahi and Bedouin tribes, as well as urban Madani tribes. Despite these many variants and sub-dialects, Palestinian Arabic remains recognizable throughout Arabic-speaking countries and the Arab diaspora.
Studying Palestinian Colloquial Arabic online gives you the opportunity to learn the Palestinian dialect with one of our qualified teachers, practice with other Arabic students, and advance through the various levels of tuition available to you, allowing you to further improve your Arabic skills.
Which Course is for Me?
The Excellence Center provides a complimentary placement exam to evaluate students’ proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in Arabic. If you are unsure which course to enroll in, we highly recommend taking the exam.
If you have any questions about the level of difficulty or intensity of our courses, we are more than happy to speak with you. You can find our contact information, Facebook page, and links to our other social media pages at the bottom of this page.
Qualified Teachers
The Excellence Center takes pride in the fact that all of its Arabic instructors and employees are native Palestinian Arabic speakers. Additionally, many of our instructors hold degrees in subjects related to teaching non-native speakers of Arabic, such as teaching Arabic as a second language, Arabic cultural studies, Arabic literary studies, and more.
We believe that this combination of native fluency and specialized expertise provides our students with a well-rounded and effective learning experience.
Are the Courses Taught in English?
The simple answer is yes, all of our Arabic courses are designed with English speakers in mind. The higher the course level, however, the less English will be used in the classroom for immersion purposes.
Please bear in mind that in order to properly immerse themselves in the experience, students will need to use their Arabic as well as their own talents to the best of their ability when traveling through Hebron.
In Conclusion
The Excellence Center’s Arabic immersion programs in Hebron, Palestine are designed for anyone who wants to study spoken Palestinian Arabic, deepen their understanding of Palestinian history/culture, and live in a vibrant/bustling city in Palestine. This Arabic immersion program promises to be a life-changing and enlightening experience since it gives you the chance to formally learn Ammiya Arabic while residing with a Palestinian host family.
The Excellence Centers in the West Bank offer a unique opportunity for those who want to learn Arabic, connect with the wider Palestinian diaspora, and fully immerse themselves in the unique customs and culture of Palestine and the Levant. These programs are ideal for individuals who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation in Palestine, learn more about the region’s rich history and culture, and build more meaningful connections.
Embark on one of the most rewarding journeys of your life at the Excellence Center. If you’re interested in joining our family here in Hebron, we would be more than happy to welcome you. Start your language adventure today by applying now!
How To Apply
Please send an email to Rafat@excellencenter.org with the subject line “Study Palestinian Arabic” if you are interested in joining our program.
We will respond to your initial query within one to two business days and attach an application form. To begin the onboarding process, please complete the form and return it to us.
Related Arabic Programs
Find Us Online
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