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Learn Arabic in Palestine

Studying Arabic in Palestine will allow you to study the language and also practice what you learn during your visit. This will help you learn the language faster than in a country where most of the population doesn’t speak Arabic. Native speakers can help correct students if they make mistakes and teach them how to use Arabic vocabulary in situations they might face. Knowing the language of the country that you stay in will help you enjoy your time there more. Being with a host family will encourage you to speak the language with the family members without hesitation. You will be able to attend many celebrations and get-togethers and get to know more about Palestinian culture. 

Whatever your purpose, Intern in Palestine provides international students with the opportunity to visit Palestine, study Arabic with a native Arabic speaker, and learn about Palestinian culture. The Center takes pride in welcoming individuals of different nationalities, faiths, and cultures. There is no such thing as a “foreigner” for us. There are simply people with distinct cultural viewpoints with whom we are pleased to share our time and experiences. 

Our immersive Arabic language program enables students to learn Arabic rapidly through full language and cultural immersion. Classes take place in the city of Hebron, where you will experience plenty of Palestinian culture, politics, and daily life. You will also be able to practice the language daily with local Palestinians and other students at the center. We offer year-round classes in Palestinian and Levantine colloquial Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic.

Enjoy Small Class Sizes

Intern in Palestine offers intensive Arabic courses with a maximum class size of three and six distinct levels to fit any Arabic language experience and competence.

Our Arabic 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 distinct levels.

Staying with a Palestinian Host Family

The Center provides foreign Arabic students with the opportunity to stay with a Palestinian host family. This will allow them to practice their Arabic, learn more about Palestinian culture, and experience daily Palestinian living.

However, homestay is only guaranteed for female students and is subject to availability for male students. Therefore, we encourage enrolling in your preferred program as soon as possible to secure your spot and homestay.

Over 10 Years of Experience

Since 2011, the Excellence Center in Palestine has been giving Arabic classes to non-native speakers. We have had over a 1,000 overseas guests.

Here at the Center, we have created several Arabic immersion programs and Arabic online classes throughout the years. We differentiate ourselves from other Arabic schools through our cutting-edge teaching methods that we create and improve year after year. Education is a dynamic process that is continually evolving, and you get to be a part of it.

What Do You Get From Intern in Palestine?

Included in your Arabic program is:

Assistance from skilled, attentive Arabic teachers with strong educational backgrounds
All required books and study materials
A pleasant atmosphere and Palestinian hospitality
Breakfast at the Center 6x a week
Living in and learning about one of the Middle East’s most politically divided and ambiguous places
The chance to see distinctive tourist sights from a local’s point of view, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho.
Visits to various sites in Hebron (including refugee camps, the old city, different factories, etc.)
Pre-departure and post-departure assistance in Palestine
Accommodation in a shared flat or with a Palestinian host family
A certificate upon completion

You will get the opportunity to meet Palestinian university and school students. Additionally, you will meet members of the Hebron community and local organizations, as an international student studying Arabic in Palestine.

Why Should I Join The Intensive Arabic Immersion Program?

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

Fastest Way to Learn Arabic

Intensive Arabic courses 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. This results in increased language retention and proficiency.

Connect with Palestinian Culture

For people who want to learn Arabic in the West Bank, Palestine through our Arabic program is the best way to do so. Practice with local Palestinian and native speakers whilst living their daily lives. We also offer the opportunity to stay with a local Palestinian host family for further immersion. Acquiring the Palestinian-spoken dialect will connect you with the region’s rich history. It will also better help you to understand its contemporary role in the Arab world and internationally.

Wide Selection of Dialects

Choose from diverse dialects, such as Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine dialects, classical, and Palestinian Arabic. Perfect for whether you need to learn or improve your Arabic for work, business, traveling, religion, or any other reason.

The Internship In The West Bank, Palestine Program

  Program Details and Study Options

You can enroll in an Arabic language course on your own or as part of one of the Intensive Arabic Study Abroad Programs listed below.

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
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, 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
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

Arabic Classes Intensity Levels

All Arabic course levels are offered in a variety of intensities. Therefore, this will affect the frequency of lessons as well as the amount of immersion and out-of-classroom coursework.

Non-intensive: 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.
 Intensive: 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. 
Super-intensive: The super-intense Arabic program, the third and final course level, is for people who seek an immersed, high-intensity classroom-oriented experience. These courses need a total of 30 hours per week, with 5 hours of language teaching per day, 5 days per week. Because of the increased study load, we normally propose super intense courses to students enrolled in shorter programs (1 – 4 weeks).

Flexible Year-round Intensive Arabic Programs

Intensive Arabic courses are available all year. Each course lasts four weeks. Students can progress to the next level by passing a final test and delivering an oral presentation. 

Summer Intensive Arabic Programs

For students interested in studying Arabic throughout the summer, Intern in Palestine offers programs that span from June to August. This is ideal for those with a summer break or any individuals looking to study on an extended visit to learn Arabic in Palestine. Classes range 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, Intern in Palestine 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 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 Center offers intense Arabic training as well as study courses in a range of other specialized disciplines.

Individual Arabic Courses

Intern in Palestine 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 requirements and desires. Our Palestinian teachers will tailor a curriculum to your specific needs. This could be whether you want to learn Palestinian-spoken Arabic, Levantine Arabic, or Classical/Standard Arabic.

We offer an extensive range of immersive Arabic courses. This includes 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 businesses, diplomats, and travelers 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 teachers and instructors. More information on these programs can be found here: Levantine and Palestinian Arabic online lessons. 

General Information Regarding our Intensive and Non-intensive Arabic Courses:

45-minute lesson
Registration fee: 20€, 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, refugee camps, and public parks. Additionally, visits can be to local colleges such as Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University.

Arabic Language Proficiency Levels

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.
Beginner Arabic Courses: Beginning I and Beginner II are the two 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.
Intermediate Arabic Courses: There are two levels of intermediate courses: Intermediate I and Intermediate II. These classes often give students opportunities to engage in Arabic discussions with native speakers to enhance their conversational abilities. We also work hard to improve our reading, writing, and listening skills.
Advanced Arabic Courses: Students at this level focus on honing and enhancing their speaking and writing abilities.

Placement test

Students with prior knowledge of Arabic are required to take a placement exam after completing their application for us to properly concentrate our teaching.

If you are unsure about which course to take, we provide a free placement exam that will assess your abilities in four critical areas: speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

Furthermore, if you have any issues concerning the course level or intensity, we are delighted to chat with you.

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 Arabic Courses
Colloquial Palestinian Arabic Lessons	Study Arabic Courses for Arabs
Modern Standard Arabic Programs	Shami (اللهجة الشامية) Arabic Programs
Ammiya Intensive Arabic Programs	Palestinian & Levantine Online Arabic Courses
Mixed Arabic Courses (comprising a combination of Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Palestinian Arabic)	Arabic Language Course for Reading and Understanding the Quran

Modern Standard Arabic Intensive Courses

Except for small differences in phrasing and diction, Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic are widely regarded as the same dialect. Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic have the same vocabulary. Therefore, students who enroll in our Modern Standard Arabic programs will be well prepared to understand Classical Arabic.

Modern Standard Arabic is 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. It’s also for those who want to connect with the larger Palestinian diaspora. Traveling to Hebron and learning the Palestinian spoken dialect will immerse you in the region’s rich history. Moreso, this will help you better comprehend its current position in the Arab world and worldwide.

The Palestinian Colloquial Arabic classes at Intern in Palestine are accessible at six distinct levels, ranging from beginner to intermediate to advanced.

Palestinian Colloquial Arabic: Course details: >>

 Levantine Colloquial Arabic

The Study Levantine Arabic curriculum is an excellent way to broaden your spoken Arabic skills to include the Levantine dialect.

Fortunately for program participants, our facility is located in the lively city of Hebron, in the heart of the Levant. Because Levantine 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: >>

Great Reviews and Community Awards

Since 2011, the Excellence Center and Intern 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 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

Visa for Palestine

International participants of the Teach English whilst Learning Arabic Program at the Excellence Center are usually given a tourist visa for three months when they fly to the Israeli airports or cross from Jordan to the West Bank. (Hence the reason the program has a maximum 3-month span.)

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.

Flying to Palestine

Palestine does not have any airports in the West Bank or Gaza Strip. Palestinians use either the airports in Jordan or Egypt to travel abroad. However, international volunteers and interns including English teachers in Palestine can fly to Israeli airports and then cross to Palestine.

As it is currently impossible to fly directly into the West Bank, we believe the easiest ways to get to the Intern in Palestine in Hebron, Palestine are:

To fly to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (in Israel). It takes about two and a half hours from the airport to the Excellence Center in Hebron via shared taxi.
You can fly to Eilat airport in Israel 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 this route takes more time and is more expensive.

Traveling to and from Hebron, West Bank

We know that many participants may have questions about traveling in Palestine, especially those traveling in the Israel/Palestine region for the first time. Hopefully, all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron, Palestine, and the Excellence Center is provided 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

For any further questions, you are always welcome to get in touch with us. Our contact info is at the bottom of the page.

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 people with a wide range of interests. Indeed, Palestinians in Hebron, in particular, like meeting new people from diverse cultures and exchanging ideas and experiences.

Furthermore, the Excellence Center welcomes many foreign guests from across the world who will be studying, volunteering, visiting, or interning during your stay. This offers you the opportunity to connect with them at some of 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 is a good place for international visitors to stay because it offers a memorable social environment.

Pre-departure support

The personnel of the Excellence Center in Palestine will arrange conversations with you through Skype or WhatsApp create invitation letters, issue travel directions, and advise you on other subjects relating to your trip to Hebron, Palestine.

Application Deadline

To assist with planning, we ask that you send your application through email at least one week before the start date of your selected Arabic Intensive Program or Individual Arabic Courses.

If you miss the deadline, you may still email us to see if we still have open spots 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. You can also of course choose to combine intensive and semester-style Arabic courses during your time with Intern in Palestine.

2. Can I add more hours to my study program?

Without a doubt! Students in all of our programs have the option of adding on additional Arabic lessons, with each additional hour costing 25€. If you are interested in adding Arabic hours, please let us know in your email and we will 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 large 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 group courses they initially selected, albeit with fewer class hours, until new people join the class.

Join us!

Whenever you’re ready 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 choosing. Our courses range from 1 to 13 weeks, perfect if you prefer short-term or long-term Arabic courses. We provide super-intensive, intensive, and non-intensive immersion programs in dialects such as Levantine, Palestinian colloquial Arabic, and Modern Standard Arabic

Intern in Palestine’s year-round 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.

We have welcomed Arabic students from around the world into our Arabic immersion programs. 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. We can easily tailor courses to your wish, you are free to choose the timings and level of studies to suit your needs, language ability, and learning preferences.