The Levantine Colloquial Arabic program, also known as the Shami or Ammiya dialect program, offers a unique opportunity for individuals looking to improve their spoken Arabic skills by learning the Levantine dialect (Shami Arabic). With options for both intensive and non-intensive tracks, this program enables you to enhance your language abilities while also providing an immersive experience of the rich culture and history of the Levant region.
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Levantine culture, delve into its fascinating history, and gain insights into its dynamic political landscape. This Levantine Colloquial Arabic program is designed to be a comprehensive and immersive experience for those seeking a deeper understanding of the Levantine way of life. Whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, professional, or retiree, our intensive Arabic language programs are designed for you. Living and learning in the city of Hebron, West Bank, our Arabic language lessons are for all levels of Arabic language studies: first-time learners, beginners, intermediate-level speakers, and advanced learners.
Levantine Colloquial Arabic Programs in 2025/2026
Study Arabic World is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our 2025/2026 Levantine Colloquial Arabic Programs. These include Intensive Levantine Arabic Courses, Summer Levantine Arabic Programs, Online Levantine Arabic Lessons, and Winter Levantine Arabic Programs. Students have the chance to study 20 hours of instruction per week. With this format, students can quickly acquire Arabic skills and complete a full 80-hour course in just four weeks.
We look forward to welcoming you to these enriching opportunities and supporting your Arabic language learning journey in 2025/2026.
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Levantine Arabic: Flexible Arabic Courses In The Middle East
Our Levantine Colloquial Arabic courses span from one week to three months (13 Weeks) year-round (Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring). If you are looking for a short or longer intensive Arabic course in the area of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the West Bank, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, or the Middle East, or are interested in the full cultural experience, we can easily accommodate you. You are free to choose the time and level of study to suit your needs, language ability, learning preferences, and any other wishes.
Levantine Arabic Courses – Different Levels and Types
The spoken Levantine Arabic (Shami Arabic) courses offered by the Center focus on daily colloquial tasks, meaning students will learn the idioms and everyday phrases associated with the Levantine dialect.
During this Ammiya Arabic program, students will learn how to write and speak using Levantine phonetics and improve their reading and listening comprehension. Depending on course level, the program will also focus on various topics specifically designed to be used in conversation.
The Center’s Study Levantine Arabic courses and Ammiya Programs are available in 4 different levels of difficulty: Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each course level is offered in an intensive or non-intensive format, the difference being the number of hours of instruction each week and the structure of immersion into Arabic culture.
Ammiya courses offered by Study Arabic World are available year-round and have no official application deadlines; when you decide to start your Levantine journey is up to you!
1. Intensive Arabic Language Course
Study Arabic World is prepared to offer international students intensive Arabic language courses that are second to none, creating a completely immersive experience for its participants. The Center is able to provide this due in part to its prime location in the bustling center of Hebron, which allows participants to intimately engage with the Arabic language daily.
This intensive course ensures students quickly build their Arabic skills since it uses the immersion methodology of language acquisition, meaning their formal studies will be reinforced by using the language outside the classroom in their daily lives. Participants are often surprised at how quickly their language skills develop when they are using their spoken Arabic on a near-constant basis.
Residing in Hebron also allows for ample opportunity to travel to other parts of Palestine, as traveling to Palestine likewise allows for easy access to other parts of the Levant; the countries, cities, and landmarks of this region, both natural and historical, are open for you to explore!
2. Summer Intensive Levantine Arabic programs
Study Arabic World offers summer Arabic programs from June to August for students interested in studying Intensive Levantine Colloquial Arabic (Shami or Ammiya Dialect) through the summer. These Levantine Arabic immersion courses are ideal for students on a summer break or for individuals looking to study on an extended visit.
Our Summer Levantine Colloquial Arabic courses include 4-6 hours of Arabic classes per day, which give students more time with the Arabic language immersion element. These summer Arabic immersion programs combine a language focus with full learning and engagement in Palestinian culture, politics, and history.
3. Winter Intensive Levantine Arabic Programs
While summer study abroad programs are indeed more popular, Study Arabic World also offers winter-intensive Levantine Colloquial Arabic Programs. Students who wish to improve their Arabic through an accredited study abroad experience for four weeks during the winter break will find that our December and January sessions fit the bill perfectly.
4. Online Levantine Arabic Lessons
We now accept Online Levantine Arabic Lessons registrations for the 2025/2026 academic year. Our offerings include courses in Levantine Arabic, Palestinian Arabic, Jordanian Arabic, Syrian Arabic, and Arabic for Kids programs. Secure your spot today and start your Arabic language journey with us!
Enroll in our Intensive Levantine Online Arabic courses, with 20 hours of lessons per week. These courses help students quickly learn Levantine Arabic and complete a full 80-hour course in just four weeks. The online courses are available year-round and are taught by experienced Palestinian teachers from the West Bank, Palestine.
What is Levantine Arabic?
Levantine–also commonly referred to as Shami, since the Arabic word for the Levant is the Sham–is one of the two dominant dialects of Arabic in the world, the other being Egyptian. With an estimated 38 million native speakers throughout the Levant and the Arab diaspora, Levantine Arabic is one of the most widely spoken dialects. It is commonly taught to non-native speakers and is generally understood in other Arabic-speaking countries.
In addition to the Palestinian spoken dialect, Levantine Arabic is the closest dialect to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA); approximately 50% of its vocabulary corresponds directly to Standard Arabic, making it one of the most recognizable dialects.
General Information about Levantine Arabic
| Number of Speakers | Approximately 38 Million |
| Language Family | Afro-Asiatic > Semitic |
| Dialects | North Levantine, South Levantine |
| Writing System | Arabic alphabet |
Levantine Arabic Course Levels on Offer
1. Beginner Levantine Arabic Course
The Beginner Levantine Colloquial Arabic 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 colloquial phrases.
The Beginner Levantine Arabic course will create a strong linguistic foundation from which students may leap into the diverse, complex, and ever-expanding world of the Levant.
2. Elementary Levantine Arabic Course
The Elementary Levantine Arabic course will continue where the previous course left off, building on the student’s 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 completing this course, students will be able to converse, read, and write about elementary subjects such as shopping, asking for directions, and expressing preferences.
3. Intermediate Levantine Arabic Course
The Levantine Colloquial Arabic intermediate course will introduce students to 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 do other colloquial activities. Students will also be introduced to subjects in class that touch upon specific issues such as culture, art, and politics, and they will learn the vocabulary needed to converse further about these topics in a concise and well-informed manner.
4. Advanced Levantine Arabic Course
The advanced Levantine Colloquial Arabic course will combine elements from the previous course’s curriculum, maintaining the immersive nature of the Intermediate level 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. Combined with all these methods and materials, students will establish a firm understanding of and gain grammatical competency in Levantine Arabic.
What is the Difference Between the Paces?
The level of immersion and difficulty between non-intensive, intensive, and super-intensive courses varies. We recommend that students who are interested in a long-term program of 1-3 months duration enroll in a non-intensive course, which will provide them with plenty of in-class instruction (about 12 hours a week) while still leaving ample time to explore the city of Hebron and immerse themselves in Palestinian culture.
For those looking to study for less than a month, we recommend enrolling in intensive or super-intensive Arabic courses. The intensive courses will require 20 hours of instruction per week, including additional assigned homework and extracurricular activities. The intensive Arabic program is for anyone looking to immerse themselves in Levantine Arabic while residing in Hebron.
Are the Courses Taught in English?
The short answer is yes, all our Levantine Arabic courses are geared towards English speakers. However, for the sake of immersion, the higher the course level, the less English will be utilized in the classroom.
Please also remember that when navigating through Hebron, students will need to utilize their Arabic and rely on their own skills to the best of their ability, thereby creating a fully immersive experience.
General Information Regarding Levantine Colloquial Arabic Courses
| Colloquial Levantine 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 |
| Weekly Fee | From €370 Check Price List | From €370 Check Price List | From €370 Check Price List |
| University Credit | Available | Available | Available |
Great Reviews and Community Awards
Study Arabic World has been honored with multiple Community Awards and recognized as the Best Arabic Language School Abroad, a leading provider of summer and winter intensive Levantine Arabic courses, and the Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities Abroad in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Check out some of the many fantastic reviews we have here:
- +880 Reviews and ratings (95%) on Gooverseas.com
- +180 Reviews and ratings (91%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Summary
For those seeking to learn spoken Levantine Arabic (Shami Arabic), deepen their understanding of Palestinian and Levantine history and culture, and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of a dynamic city in the West Bank, Study Arabic World’s Study Levantine Arabic programs offer the ideal opportunity.
This intensive Levantine Arabic program provides a transformative and immersive experience, combining formal language study with the unique opportunity to live with a Palestinian host family, allowing for cultural immersion and practical language use in daily life.
At Study Arabic World, we are excited to welcome you into our community here in Hebron. Apply today and take the first step on your linguistic and cultural journey.
How to Apply?
If you want to participate in our Study Levantine Arabic Program, please email us at Info@studyarabic.org. We should be able to respond to your initial inquiry within 1-3 business days.
In the subject line of your email, write “Study Levantine Colloquial Arabic,” and we will reply with an application form attached. Please fill this out and return it to us to begin enrollment.
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