2024-2025 Palestinian Arabic Immersion Program

Our Palestinian Arabic Immersion Program at Go Palestine is a unique opportunity for those looking to study the spoken language of Palestinians, a part of the Levantine dialects. Designed for durations ranging from one week to three months, the program allows students to learn colloquial Arabic through intensive classes and by living with a Palestinian family in Hebron.

Program Details: The program is conducted by experienced teachers who utilize the best educational methods and techniques to teach colloquial Arabic. Each lesson focuses on practical texts, phrases, and words, ensuring that students gain maximum benefit in a short time.

Cultural Immersion: In addition to language learning, the program offers a chance to explore Palestine and engage with the local community in Hebron. Students can participate in tours and day trips to various locations in Hebron and Bethlehem, including visits to refugee camps and marginalized areas. This immersion experience enhances language skills and provides a deeper understanding of Palestinian culture and daily life.

Who Teaches the Arabic Courses?

The Palestinian Center prides itself on having a highly qualified and dedicated staff of proficient Arabic and English speakers. Among them are accomplished instructors with extensive experience in teaching Arabic as a foreign language.

These Arabic instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their teaching practice. They are well-versed in various pedagogical approaches and methodologies tailored to the needs of non-native Arabic learners. Their proficiency in English ensures effective communication and interaction with students, facilitating a smoother and more effective learning experience.

The reasons why many people prefer to learn spoken Arabic vary, but nearly everyone agrees on one main reason: the desire to communicate with their Arab friends, co-workers, or loved ones. Additionally, a significant number of people of Arab descent living in Europe, America, or other non-Arab countries wish to learn the colloquial dialect. For them, learning the language is a way to connect with their cultural heritage and roots.

When Do Palestinian Arabic Courses in Palestine Take Place?

The Colloquial Arabic in Palestine Program offers flexible scheduling, allowing you to choose your own start and end dates. Students coordinate their schedules with the center’s administration, arranging classes for durations ranging from one week to three months.

Who teaches the Arabic courses ?

The Palestinian Center prides itself on maintaining a highly qualified and dedicated staff comprising proficient Arabic and English speakers. Within this team, there are accomplished instructors who possess a deep understanding of teaching Arabic as a foreign language.

The Arabic instructors at the Palestinian Center bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their teaching practice. They are well-versed in various pedagogical approaches and methodologies specifically tailored to meet the needs of non-native Arabic learners. Their proficiency in English allows them to effectively communicate and interact with students, facilitating a smoother learning experience.

Can I study Palestinian Arabic ONLINE?

Yes, you can learn Arabic online with one of our qualified teachers. You can choose how many classes you want a week and for how long the class is. Click here to get more information!

Who is eligible to apply to the program?

The Palestinian Center has hosted people who have come from a myriad of countries, such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, and many more. 

• Those between the ages of 18-75 are eligible to participate in the colloquial Arabic program.
• An academic degree is NOT required in order to apply.
• Those who are younger than 18 years old can also apply but with one condition. One of your parents has to fill out and sign a parental consent form.

Brief Information of the Study Palestinian Arabic in Palestine Program

Place of Program	Hebron, Palestine
Program Fees	Super Intensive = Starting from 580$ American Dollars Intensive = Starting from 430$ American Dollars Non-Intensive = Starting from 315$ American Dollars
Age	18-70 Years Old
Minimum Duration	Super Intensive = One Week – 30 Hours Intensive = One Week – 20 Hours Non-Intensive = One Week – 12 Hours
Maximum Duration	12 Weeks
Teaching Hours	Super Intensive = 6 hours – 5 days a week. Intensive = 4 hours a day – 5 days a week. Non-Intensive = 4 hours a day – 3 days a week.
One Teaching Hour	45 Minutes
Average students in class	Individual Class (One to One).
Class periods	Morning (8:30 – 12:30), Afternoon (12:30 – 16:00)
Starting/Ending Dates	Flexible – Anytime
Application Deadline	No Deadline
Days off	Two days a week including Fridays
Educational Degree	Not Required
University Credit	Available

What will you get by participating in the Arabic program?

• Experience the hospitality of Palestinians and discover the beauty of the Palestinian culture by interacting with Palestinian people.
• Daily Palestinian breakfast at the center.
• 4 educational hours of Arabic lessons each day – Five days a week.
• The program provides you with a chance to visit local sites in Hebron and get to know the rich history of the city.
• Accommodation, including either staying with a local host family or at our 8th-floor apartment. Private accommodation is also available with extra fees.
• Day trips to refugee camps in Hebron & Bethlehem and some areas of political importance.
• At the completion of the program, you will get a participation certificate and a recommendation letter.

Our Arabic in Palestine Program Fees

1. Intensive Levantine Course – 5 Days a Week

2. Super Intensive Arabic Course – 5 Days a Week

3. Non-Intensive Arabic Course – 3 Days a Week

What does your weekly schedule look like?

We at GO Palestine are keen to make your weekly schedule diversified, rich, and organized. Thus, it will contain a number of educational, social, and fun activities that will make your experience in Palestine special and unique.

The First Arabic Class starts at 8:30

The day is divided into three Arabic classes. The first Arabic class begins at 8:30 in the morning and continues till breakfast at 9:30.

Breakfast starts at 9:30 am

The breakfast starts at 9:30 in the morning and ends at approximately 10:15. Our breakfast contains a number of ingredients, including Palestinian thyme (Zaatar), labneh, tomato, cucumber slices, falafel, hummus, mortadella, olives, yellow cheese, jam, pita bread, boiled or fried eggs, and French fries. The ingredients are changed (among the mentioned ingredients) from time to time to diversify the breakfast.

The second Arabic Class starts at 10:15

The second Arabic class begins at 10:15 am directly after the breakfast and continues at 11:15 am. After that, you will get five minutes break.

The Third Arabic Class starts at 11:20

The third Arabic class begins at 11:20 am directly after the break and continues at 12:20 pm.

homework & Revision starts at 12:20

Homework and revision are designed to give you enough time to do all your homework as well as a little revision after the class so that you achieve the maximum benefit of the class. It starts at 12:20 and till 2:00 pm.

Lunch Break starts at 2:00 pm

At two o’clock in the afternoon begins the lunch break, which lasts for an entire hour. You can buy lunch from a restaurant next to the center. There are a number of restaurants nearby, which provide meals such as shawarma, falafel, and fried chicken as well as traditional Palestinian meals such as Maqluba, Hebron’s Qidreh, Chicken Mansaf or Lamp Mansaf, and other meals. There are also a number of supermarkets/malls nearby where you can buy what you need and cook yourself in the center.

Day Trips to Refugee Camps in Bethlehem & Hebron

Once every week, a day trip is organized to the refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem, as well as to areas of political importance whenever the opportunity arises. These trips will give you the opportunity to learn about the conditions of the Palestinian refugees, talk to them and learn their stories. These trips depart at 10:45 am from the center and end approx. at 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon.

Local Visits to Learn about the Landmarks of the city of Hebron

Once every two weeks, local visits are organized to the historical and economic landmarks of the city of Hebron. This includes a visit to the Ibrahimi Mosque, the Old City, and Al-Shuhada Street as well as visiting a number of factories in the city, such as keffiyeh, glass, and ceramic factories.

Prepare & Cook a Traditional Palestinian Dish

Once every two or three weeks, all our volunteers, interns, and Arabic language’ students join together to prepare and cook a traditional Palestinian dish. This includes preparing appetizers, frying vegetables, cooking rice, chopping chicken or meat, and stuffing some vegetables depending on the dish to be cooked that day.

Free Time starts at 16:00 or at 16:30

After your time in the center is over, you have free time where you can hang out with other international participants and/or locals you met during your stay in Hebron by going to a café or coffee shop or going to a park and enjoying your time in the evening. There are many cafes and parks not far from the center, as the center is located on one of the most lively streets in the city.

Can I combine this program with another one?

Yes, this program can be combined with one or more of the internship or volunteer programs that the center offers.

What happens when I’m not studying Arabic?

Besides studying Arabic in Palestine, you will have plenty of opportunities to participate in our social, cultural, and community activities. Many community activities in Hebron are organized and presented by the center. Additionally, the Center organizes visits to local sites of interest in the city of Hebron.

Sightseeing may include visits to the old city and its many souqs and markets, the Ibrahimi Mosque, a refugee camp, the Russian Orthodox Church is known for its beautiful gold dome, and the glass factories, to name a few destinations. Hebron is a city full of cafés and restaurants where you can spend an enjoyable time.  

Things to know before you come to Palestine!

Living Costs in Palestine	Approx. 50-70$ a Week
Weekend in Palestine	On Friday
Food in Palestine	The West Bank engages primarily in heavier meals involving the use of bread, rice, and meat, and coastal plain inhabitants frequent fish, other seafood, and lentils.
Wifi Access in Palestine	At houses, cafes, restaurants – Almost everywhere
3G Service in Palestine	Available since Jan 2018
The official language in Palestine	Arabic – Palestinian Dialect (One of the Levantine dialects)
Currency in Palestine	Mainly Israeli Shekel (NIS). Jordanian Dinar & American Dollars are also used in buying Real estate and land.
Transportations in Palestine	Yellow Taxies & Orange Mini-Vans
Weather in Palestine	Summer (25-30°C), Winter (0-9°C)
Nearest Major Airports to Palestine	Ben Gurion Airport in Israel if you travel via Israel Alia International Airport if you travel via Jordan

May I extend my Arabic program duration?

Yes, you are allowed to extend your participation period. All you need is to inform the center coordinator at least one week before the end of the current program.

What is the application process?

• First, send us an email asking for the application form.
• We send you the application, and you fill out the application and send it back to us.
• Our team reviews your application. We may invite you for an interview by means of a Skype/WhatsApp call.
• We will send you a confirmation form which you fill out and return to us.
• We prepare and send you the Invitation Letter and the contract.  We will also send you the invoice for payment, which will include all the information regarding payment options.  
• You will sign the contract and make payment in order to reserve your place in the program.
• We will send you an orientation booklet and travel guide to Palestine. These two items will provide you with all the information on how to get to Hebron and contact the center. One of our coordinators will provide his/her contact number within an email sent to you.

Documents you’ll receive from us!

How do I apply or receive additional information?

Please send an email to Mr. Tamimi, at  info@gopalestine.org. Please type “Palestinian Arabic Immersion Program”  in the subject line. In the body of the email tell us of your interest, ask any questions you may have, and request an application. Very shortly we will reply to you.

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We’d be very happy to have you in Palestine!