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Intensive Arabic Program

Our intensive Arabic language program in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine enables students to learn Arabic rapidly through full language and cultural immersion. We offer year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter) classes in a variety of Arabic dialects and styles. Additionally, we also offer individual Arabic classes.

Our intensive Arabic immersion courses range in length from one to thirteen weeks, and take place year-round. Whether you are looking for a short but intensive Arabic course in the West Bank, Israel, Middle East or are more interested in the full cultural experience, we can easily accommodate you.

Why should I study Arabic in Palestine?

Our classes are very flexible and personable. Thus, the startup date is up to you. The intensive Arabic course will be designed to reflect your needs, language ability, and learning preferences. The classes you take will enable you to enhance your Arabic skills through a range of study options. You will also be able to practice the language daily with local Palestinians and other students at the center.

Our Arabic intensive classes take place in the city of Hebron, where you will get to experience plenty of Palestinian culture, politics, and daily life. You will also have the opportunity to see firsthand the human rights situation of Palestinian refugees by visiting local refugee camps and Palestinian villages. Visits to various Palestinian universities, factories, and local families will also be organized. This will help you engage fully with the program.

Intensive Arabic Course Highlights

Location	Hebron, West Bank
Length	1-13 Weeks
Levels offered	Beginner Intermediate Advanced A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1
Arabic Immersion Level	Intensive Standard
Class Size	Private Arabic Lessons Small Class (1-4) Medium Class (4-18)
Weekly Classroom Arabic Hours	12 Hours Non-Intensive 20 Hours Intensive 30 Hours Super Intensive
Registration/Placement Test	Available

The Best Way To Learn Arabic Quickly

For students looking to fast-track their Arabic language acquisition, intensive courses, and our summer Arabic immersion programs provide the best option. We offer students 4-6 hours of Arabic classes per day, which provide them with a sustained engagement with the language.

At Intern in Palestine, you will typically cover the equivalent of one semester of Arabic language study in just 4 weeks. Indeed, this leads to a higher language retention rate and accelerated fluency.

A Complete Arabic Immersion Experience

Intern in Palestine’s intensive Arabic courses seek to strengthen your relationship with the Arabic language through total immersion in Palestinian life and culture.

For this reason, Intern in Palestine organizes cultural activities and site visits. We encourage students to participate actively, while conducting intensive Arabic courses entirely in Arabic. This allows you to practice your language skills in authentic settings while simultaneously building connections with the local community in Hebron, Palestine.

A Dedicated Team Of Arabic Language Experts

Highly-trained professionals with advanced academic degrees in linguistics, Arabic studies, education, and related fields comprise the teaching staff at Intern in Palestine.

Currently, we have over 10 full-time Arabic teachers, all of whom are passionate about teaching Arabic as a foreign language. Having undertaken specialized training in teaching Arabic as a foreign language, they are well-equipped to pass on their Arabic language skills to their students.

Intern in Palestine has been offering Arabic language courses to non-native speakers from all over the world since 2011. We have hosted more than a thousand international visitors.

Staying With A Palestinian Host Family

Intern in Palestine also offers international Arabic students a chance to stay with a Palestinian host family. Participants can practice their Arabic skills with them, along with learning more about Palestinian culture, and experiencing daily Palestinian life.

Homestays are only guaranteed for female students and are subject to availability for male students. However, we recommend that you apply for the program of your choice as early as possible to secure a homestay.

Enjoy Small Class Sizes

Essential to all intensive Arabic language courses is participation in lively class conversations. As a result, our intensive courses employ a strong communicative approach.

Furthermore, by limiting class sizes to five students there is ample opportunity for discussion and inclusive participation, as well as individual attention from our Arabic teachers.

Guaranteed Availability

Our intensive courses are available at all levels on a year-round basis. This means that you are guaranteed a place on a course at the time of your choosing.

Upon joining a class it will also be possible for you to progress from one level to the next without gaps or interruptions.

Why Should I Join The Intensive Arabic Immersion Program?

Here are a few reasons for joining the Intensive Arabic Immersion Program in Palestine

Diverse Arabic courses to choose from, such as Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine (Shami) dialects, Ammiya, Classical, and Palestinian Arabic
Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)
Support before your departure and during your time in Palestine
Visits to various sites in the city of Hebron, including refugee camps, the old city, and various factories
An opportunity to learn about Palestinian politics and the experience of occupation in the West Bank
Insight into the human rights situation while helping Palestinian refugees.
Engagement in educational, social, and community activities
Palestinian hospitality and a pleasant climate
The opportunity to visit unique tourist attractions from a native perspective, including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea near Jericho
A certificate upon completion

As an international student learning Arabic in Palestine, you will also have the opportunity to meet Palestinian university and school students. Additionally, you will meet members of the Hebron community and local organizations.

Where Do Our Arabic Students Come From?

Everywhere! Here at Intern in Palestine, we are proud to host people of all nations, religions, and cultures. Moreover, for us there is no such thing as a ‘foreigner’, only those with unique cultural perspectives with whom we are delighted to share our time and experiences.

We have welcomed many Arabic students to Palestine from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Spain, Belgium and Switzerland. Our students have also hailed from Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, Ireland, China, and New Zealand.

Is your country missing from the list? Now is your chance to become the first representative of your nation to join our ever-expanding international community.

Is The Arabic Immersion Program Suitable For You?

Still unsure if this course is for you? Here are some examples of groups who would greatly benefit from our Arabic lessons in Hebron, Palestine:

Those who want to improve their theoretical language skills by practicing in real-life situations
University students who want to spend a semester studying abroad for university credit
People who are interested in a summer Arabic program
Those who want to learn about their Palestinian family heritage
Those who are interested in reading the Quran
Political science students who would like to work in Arabic-speaking countries
Social workers who are working directly with Arabic speakers
People who are conducting fieldwork in the Middle East or any Arabic-speaking country
Students who are planning to live or work in an Arabic-speaking country
Students of the Middle East, refugee law, or human rights
People who are interested in studying a language overseas

Why should I study Arabic in Palestine?

Our classes are very flexible and personable. The startup date is up to you, and the intensive Arabic course will be designed to reflect your needs, language ability, and learning preferences. The classes you take will enable you to enhance your Arabic skills through a range of study options. You will also be able to practice the language daily with local Palestinians and other students at the center.

List Of Arabic Immersion Programs:

We offer immersive Arabic programs here at Intern in Palestine, covering a variety of dialects and intensity levels, as outlined below:

Intensive Summer Arabic Program	Summer Arabic immersion programs
Intensive Arabic course Online	Modern Standard/Classical Arabic Courses
Ammiya Program (Palestinian Dialect)	The Study Levantine Arabic program
Colloquial Palestinian Arabic Lessons	Mixed Arabic (Modern Standard & Colloquial)
Individual Levantine Arabic Courses	Arabic Language Course for Quran

Intensive Arabic Language Courses

Intern in Palestine’s intensive Arabic courses are open to any student who would like to learn or progress 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 through the technique of classroom immersion.

Intern in Palestine’s intensive courses include Modern Standard Arabic, Palestinian Arabic, and Levantine Colloquial Arabic. Please find more information below.

Modern Standard Arabic Intensive Courses

Intern in Palestine teaches Modern Standard Arabic at eight different levels, ranging from complete beginner to highly advanced, enabling students to understand Classical Arabic effectively. However, Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic as largely the same dialect, with only minor differences in phrasing and diction. Therefore, enrolling in our Modern Standard Arabic programs equips students well to comprehend Classical Arabic, thanks to their shared vocabulary.

Modern Standard Arabic Course Details: >>

Palestinian Colloquial Arabic Courses

The Study Palestinian Arabic program is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the diverse culture of Palestine and the Levant or wish to connect with the wider Palestinian diaspora. Moreover, traveling to Hebron and acquiring the Palestinian spoken dialect will connect you with the region’s rich history. It will also help you to better understand its contemporary role in the Arab world and internationally.

At Intern in Palestine, the Palestinian Colloquial Arabic courses are available at six different levels ranging from beginners to intermediate and advanced levels.

Palestinian Colloquial Arabic: Course details: >>

Levantine Colloquial Arabic

The Study Levantine Arabic program is an ideal opportunity to expand your spoken Arabic to include the Levantine dialect.

Fortunately, our center is located in the heart of the Levant in the vibrant city of Hebron. As Levantine Arabic is one of the most widely spoken Arabic dialects, its acquisition is the ultimate passport connecting you with the Arabic-speaking world.

Levantine Colloquial Arabic Course details: >>

Individual Arabic Courses

Intern in Palestine offers intensive and non-intensive private Arabic lessons in a wide range of dialects, all taught one-to-one by an Intern in Palestine Arabic teacher. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to customize your Arabic course according to your needs and wishes. Our Palestinian teachers will prepare a curriculum to meet your needs, whether your wish is to study Palestinian-spoken Arabic, Levantine, or Classical/Standard Arabic.

Our wide range of immersive Arabic courses covers both standardized Arabic classes. It also covers specific colloquial dialects from Syria, Palestine, and other regions of the Levant. As such, our Arabic lessons are suitable for a wide range of learners, from international business people, diplomats, and travelers to people wishing to read the Quran. Our flexible private lessons can specialize your curriculum to suit your needs and requirements.

Online Arabic Courses

Alongside the Arabic programs offered in Hebron, we also offer intensive and non-intensive online Arabic lessons taught by qualified Palestinian teachers and instructors. More information on these programs can be found at this link: Levantine and Palestinian Arabic online lessons.

Non-Intensive, Intensive, and Super-Intensive Arabic Courses

All Arabic courses are available at different intensities, the level of which will determine the frequency of classes as well as the level of immersion and out-of-classroom coursework.

Non-Intensive Arabic lessons are taught for a total of 12 hours per week, with three hours of study a day for three days each week. Learning progresses through in-class immersion as well as through your day-to-day interactions with people in the city of Hebron. We recommend students interested in a long-term program (between 1 – 3 months) enroll in a non-intensive Arabic course.
The Intensive Arabic course is designed to enhance any previous immersion in Arabic language and culture. We hold these courses for 20 hours each week, with approximately four hours of Arabic language instruction per day, five days a week. Intensive Arabic courses include additional homework and out-of-classroom assignments.
The third and final course intensity, the Super-Intensive Arabic program, is for those who want a completely immersive, high-intensity classroom-oriented experience. These courses offer 30 hours of instruction per week, with five hours of language instruction per day, five days a week. We generally recommend super-intensive courses for those enrolling in shorter programs (1 – 4 weeks) due to the larger study load.

General Information Regarding Intensive And Non-Intensive Arabic Courses:

	Super-Intensive Program	Intensive Program	Non-Intensive Program
Program duration	1-13 Weeks	1-13 Weeks	1-13 Weeks
Hours of tuition per week	30 Hours	20 Hours	12 Hours
Days of tuition per week	5 Days	5 Days	3 Days
Lesson duration	45 Minutes	45 Minutes	45 Minutes
Average number of students in class	1-3 Students	1-3 Students	1-3 Students
Maximum number of students in class	3 Students	3 Students	3 Students
Program levels	6 Levels (Beginner to Advanced)	6 Levels (Beginner to Advanced)	6 Levels (Beginner to 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	None	None	None
Start/End dates	Any time	Any time	Any time
Program fees per week	700€	450€	370€
University credit	Available	Available	Available
Reviews, Ratings and Testimonials	Reviews and ratings on Gooverseas.com	Reviews and ratings on Goabroad.com	Participants’ video testimonials

One lesson = 45 minutes
Registration fee: Once-off registration fee of 30€
Study materials: Free
Placement test: Free
Certificate of completion
Fees include breakfast, accommodation, Arabic classes, and visits to different institutions in the city of Hebron such as the old city, glass and ceramic factories, local companies, refugee camps, public parks, and local universities such as the Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University.

Intensive Arabic Programs And Study Options

You may enroll in your Arabic language course directly or as part of the following Intensive Arabic Study Abroad Programs.

1. Flexible Year-Round Intensive Arabic Courses

Intensive Arabic programs can be taken on a year-round basis. Each course has a duration of four weeks. Then, students can continue to the next level after passing a final exam and giving an oral presentation.

2. Intensive Study Abroad Programs

The Study Abroad Arabic immersion programs include intensive courses, cultural activities, and trips. This makes them ideal for students seeking an accredited academic program to improve their Arabic as well as gain insight into Arabic culture and society. Intern in Palestine offers the following intensive Arabic Study Abroad programs:

3. Summer Intensive Arabic Programs

For an immersive Arabic experience, Intern in Palestine offers the Intensive Arabic Study Abroad summer program. This includes intensive Arabic courses in addition to other non-intensive Arabic and area study courses.

4. Winter Intensive Arabic Programs

While summer study abroad programs are more popular with students, Intern in Palestine also offers Arabic Intensive Programs through the winter months. Students who wish to improve their Arabic through an accredited study abroad experience for four weeks during the winter break will be able to study in our December and January sessions.

5. Intensive Arabic Semester Or Year Programs

Intensive Arabic Semester programs are ideal for university students seeking an immersive Arabic language and cultural experience for their semester abroad. Intern in Palestine provides intensive Arabic courses through this program as well as study courses in a variety of other specialized subjects.

Assessment And Placement

Except for complete beginners, all students take a written and oral language proficiency assessment on the first day of classes. Teachers will then determine their placement by examining their performance as well as taking prior language study into account.

Our Success

Since 2011, the Excellence Center and Intern in Palestine has welcomed visitors from all around the world. We are always improving our programs to deliver the finest learning experience possible. However, our core objective remains the same: to connect, teach, and develop individuals in the local and international communities.

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.”

Reviews and ratings (95%) on Gooverseas.com
Reviews and ratings (9 1%) on Goabroad.com
Participants’ video testimonials

Traveling To And From Hebron

You will find all the necessary information about how to get to Intern in Palestine in Hebron in these four articles:

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

How To Fly To Palestine?

The easiest way to get to Intern in Palestine is to fly to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport in Israel. It takes about two and a half hours from the airport to Hebron via shared taxi. Alternatively, you can fly to Eilat airport in the south of Israel. Then you can travel by shuttle or take a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron.

The duration of this trip can vary from between six and seven hours. Participants can also fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then cross the border to Palestine. This trip, however, takes more time and is more expensive.

Tel Aviv Airport Pickups

Intern in Palestine staff can organize a taxi to pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport and take you straight to Hebron and the Center. Therefore, this is the easiest and fastest way (about an hour, 60 km/37 miles) to get to us.

Additional fees apply to this trip, coming to about 150€ in total. Please inform us if you are interested in this option.

How Do I Get A Visa To Visit Palestine?

Most of our international participants get a tourist visa for three months when they fly to Israeli airports or cross from Jordan to the West Bank.

In general, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans to enter Palestine. Please refer to the visa exemption agreement for further information. Upon your arrival at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat, you will be granted a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. This enables you to travel around Palestine and Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

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. You can also of course choose to combine intensive and semester-style Arabic courses during your time with Intern in Palestine.

What is the minimum duration of the Intensive Courses?

The minimum study duration is 1 week. One intensive course takes 4 weeks to complete. Therefore, most students register for a period of from 4 to 13 weeks.

How long does it take to complete one Intensive Course?

It takes 4 weeks of intensive study to complete a course (around 80 hours of class time).

What if there aren’t any students at my proficiency level?

Thankfully, Intern in Palestine hosts roughly 50 students every year. Occasionally, we receive students who are the only ones at their proficiency level. When this happens, the student can continue taking the group courses they originally chose, at a reduced number of class hours, until more students join the class.

Booking Your Arabic Course

Please send an email application request to Info@ecpalestine.org with “Intensive Arabic Language Courses” as the subject line. We should be able to respond to your email within 3 business days. Then, we will then send you the application form.