Study Arabic Online I Study Shami Arabic I Study Palestinian Dialect I Study colloquial Arabic

The Study Shami/Levantine Arabic in Palestine/ West Bank program presents a valuable opportunity for those who want to learn and study Shami Arabic (Levantine Arabic, also known as Ammiya) and practice it with people in Palestine. Shami Arabic is spoken by nearly 42 million people in four Arab countries:  Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.

The Shami/Levantine dialect is the most easily understandable dialect for people of the Gulf, or Arab countries in the northernmost areas of the African continent, such as Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Libya.  You will be able to communicate to a large audience of people by learning the Shami dialect.

The Study Shami/Levantine Arabic in Palestine/West Bank Program presents an optimal opportunity for acquiring Arabic skills for Non-Native Speakers. You are provided with all Arabic learning materials you will need, and you will be taught by our native Arabic experienced and qualified teachers.

What is Shami or Levantine (Ammiya) Arabic?

• The Shami Arabic dialects derive from the Arabic language as it was spoken in what was known as “Greater Syria”.

• Beginning in the 7th century AD and after the Arab conquest of Sham, the Syrian dialects arose as a result of the linguistic transformation of the region from Aramaic into Arabic, both languages belonging to the branch of the Semitic languages.

• The Shami dialects are generally divided into two major parts: the northern dialects, which are located in the west of Syria and Lebanon; and the southern dialects, which are found in northern Palestine and north-west Jordan. Shami dialects originate from conservative Arabic dialects, particularly rural dialects.

• For example, Shami/Levantine derives from a few rural dialects that still maintain the sounds of ancient Arabic vowels. Shami also maintains the most correct sounds of Classical Arabic.

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Why Study Shami Arabic in Palestine?

• Arabic is both a language of the ancient Arab and Islamic civilizations and a contemporary living language that represents a wide range of societies within a geographical area that is often the focus of world attention.
• Arabic is an increasingly popular language to learn for non-native speakers for a variety of reasons, such as political, diplomatic, economic and business, religious, cultural, educational, and tourism.

• As one of the languages ​​of the United Nations, Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is the primary language of the Levant, Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa.

• The Arabic language is called “the language of Daad” because it is the only language in the world that contains a letter character, daad, that does not exist in any other language.

Who teaches the Shami/Levantine (Palestinian) Arabic courses in Palestine/West Bank?

The Palestinian Center maintains a staff of teachers who are fluent in Arabic and English. The Arabic instructors are skilled in teaching Arabic as a foreign language. 

Brief Information of the Study Shami/Palestinian Dialect in Palestine Program

Place of Study Shami/Levantine Arabic Program	Hebron (H1 – Under Palestinian Control), Palestine
Study Shami/Levantine Arabic Program Fees	Non-Intensive Arabic Course = Starting from 315$ Intensive Arabic Course = Starting from 430$ Super Intenive Arabic Course = Starting from 580$
Age	18-75 Years Old
Minimum Duration of Study Shami/Levantine Arabic in Palestine Program	Non-Intensive Arabic Course = One Week – 12 Hours Intensive Arabic Course = One Week – 20 Hours Super Intensive Arabic Course = One Week – 30 Hours
Maximum Duration of Study Shami/Levantine Arabic in Palestine Program	Super Intensive Arabic Course = 12 Weeks x 30 Hours Intensive Arabic Course = 12 Weeks x 20 Hours Non-Intensive Arabic Course = 12 Weeks x 12 Hours
Arabic Studying Hours	Non-Intensive Arabic Course = 4 hours a day x 3 days a week. Intensive Arabic Course = 4 hours a day x 5 days a week. Super Intensive Arabic Course = 6 hours a day x 5 days a week.
One Studying Hour	45 Minutes
Type of Arabic Class	Individual Class (One to One)
Arabic Classes Time	Morning (8:30-12:30), Afternoon (12:30 -16:00)
Starting/Ending Dates	Flexible – Anytime
Application Deadline	No Deadline
Days off	Two days including Fridays & Thursdays or Saturdays
Educational Degree	Not Required
University Credit	Available

When do Shami/Levantine Arabic Courses in Palestine take place?

The Study Arabic Shami/Levantine in Palestine program gives you the flexibility to determine the start and end dates for your Arabic program schedule. Arabic students arrange and coordinate their schedules with the Center’s administration. Arabic classes in Palestine may be arranged from one week up to three months.

Two Types of Shami/Levantine Arabic Courses in Palestine :

1. Study Intensive Shami/Levantine Arabic in Palestine (one on one) – 5 Days a Week

• The student takes five days of lessons per week. Each lesson lasts for four hours. This is a total of 20 hours per week. The week begins on Sunday and runs through to Thursday (Friday, the day of worship and rest, and Saturday is the “weekend” in Palestine).

• This intensive Levantine Arabic is ideal for those who wish to learn Arabic intensively and in a short period of time. This type, of course, is recommended for those who want to learn as much language as possible during their short stay in Palestine.

2. Study Regular Shami/Levantine Arabic Palestine (one on one) – 3 Days a Week

• The student takes three lessons per week for four hours per lesson for a total of 12 hours per week.  The week begins on Sunday and runs through to Thursday (Friday, the day of worship and rest, and Saturday is the “weekend” in Palestine).   

• This non-intensive Sahmi/Levantine Arabic in Palestine is suitable for people who lack the time necessary to participate in daily lessons, or who simply need more time to follow up on what has been learned in the lesson or to finish homework.  Some students wish to have more time for visiting landmarks in Palestine, as well as learning the Arabic language.

• The non-intensive Sahmi/Levantine Arabic in Palestine may be suitable for foreigners living in Palestine and working in international or local institutions. Those who live in Israel who would like to learn Shami, such as students and workers, but with limited time for language lessons may appreciate a more abbreviated lesson schedule.

Available Shami/Levantine Arabic Courses Levels at GO Palestine

Shami/Levantine Arabic – Level (A1)

This Arabic level will teach the student to understand and use basic everyday expressions and phrases that are designed to meet specific needs. At the course’s conclusion, the student will be able to introduce him or herself in Arabic, and he/she will be able to ask and answer questions asking for personal details, such as where he or she lives, the people he or she knows, and the things he or she owns. The student will be able to slowly and clearly converse in basic Arabic conversation.

Shami/Levantine Arabic- Level (A2)

At the conclusion of this Arabic level, the student will be able to understand frequently used phrases that are related to personal and family background, shopping, local geography and directions, and employment. He or she will be able to converse in routine topics and will be able to describe in simple Arabic terms his or her character, the environment, and issues concerning immediate needs.

Shami/Levantine Arabic – Level (A3)

At the conclusion of this Arabic level, the student will be able to understand familiar issues relating to work, recreation, school, and daily travel, as well as be able to deal with most of the situations likely to arise during travel. The student will be able to write simple Arabic text on familiar or personal topics, and he or she will be able to describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and aspirations and briefly give reasons and interpretations of opinions and plans.

Shami/Levantine Arabic – Level (A4)

At this advanced Arabic level, the student will be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts, both in specific topics or in the abstract, including topics within specialized areas. The student at this stage becomes able to interact with a degree of spontaneity and fluency that makes regular interaction with speakers without stress to either side.  The student at this stage will be able to produce clear and detailed Arabic texts on a wide range of subjects. He or she will be able to explain his or her point of view on an issue of the day and describe the pros and cons of the issue.

Shami/Levantine Arabic – Level (A5)

The student at this Arabic level will be able to understand lengthy Arabic texts, including the implicit meanings of the text. He or she will be able to express him or herself fluently and spontaneously. Students will be able to use the Arabic language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. Students will be able to produce clear, well-structured, and detailed texts on complex subjects. These Arabic texts will demonstrate effective organizational methods, linking, and cohesive structures.

Our LOVELY Arabic Teachers!

We are proud to offer our students the opportunity to learn Arabic language and literature from our highly skilled and experienced teachers. Our teachers are passionate about the language and have a deep understanding of its nuances. They use interactive teaching methods to engage students in the learning process, encouraging them to participate and ask questions.

Our teachers hold degrees in Arabic language and literature, so you can be sure that you’re getting quality instruction from professionals who understand the complexities of the language. With their expertise, you can become proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding Arabic quickly and effectively.

Where do I live while studying Shami/Levantine Arabic in Palestine?

The Palestinian Center will arrange your living quarters with either a Palestinian host family or at our 8th-floor apartment in Hebron, which is conveniently located in the city center and within easy reach of supermarkets, restaurants, and public transportation. Daily breakfast at the Center with other internationals is included in the program.

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

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.

What happens when I’m not studying Shami Arabic?

Besides studying Shami/Levantine 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.  

Arabic Placement Test

Students who have a knowledge of Arabic or who have already studied Arabic will need to take an exam to assess their language skill abilities before deciding on the required level of study.

Who is eligible to apply to Shami/Levantine Arabic in Palestine program?

• Participants between the ages of 18-75 are eligible to participate in the Shami/Levantine Arabic program. No academic degree is 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.

Some of Our Arabic Student’s Reviews 

Study Shami/Levantine Arabic in Palestine Program Fees

1. Intensive Shami/Levantine Arabic Course – 5 Days a Week

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2. Non-Intensive Shami/Levantine Arabic Course – 3 Days a Week

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How Do I Get A Visa To Enter Palestine?

Visas are routinely granted upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) if you are a citizen of an exempted country, or at the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge border crossing; Hamas controls the border in Gaza with Egypt. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days; most Americans and Europeans are issued three-month visas upon arrival and clearing customs.

If your home country does not have an exemption agreement with Israel, you will have to procure a visa from the Israeli embassy/consulate at home before you visit. Because many Arab countries do not accept Israeli stamps upon passports, Israel now issues their visa on a separate small card with a bar code indicating the visa time validity. Please keep this visa card WITH your passport at all times. You may check to see whether your native country participates in a visa exemption agreement.

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Hebron City	What to wear in Palestine?
First Impressions of the Palestinian People	What to Pack for a Summer in Palestine?

Documents you’ll receive from us!

How do I apply or receive additional information?

Please send an email to Mr. Tamimi, at  [email protected]. Please type “Study Shami Arabic in Palestine Program” or “Study Levantine Arabic in Palestine”  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!