8 Best Intensive Levantine Arabic Online Programs

8 Best Intensive Levantine Arabic Online Programs

8 Best Intensive Levantine Arabic Online Programs: Levantine Arabic, also known as Ammiyya or the Shami dialect, is the language people use in countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. It’s a blend of various Arabic-speaking styles found in these regions, featuring unique sounds, vocabulary, and grammar rules that set it apart from other Arabic dialects. People use it for everyday conversations with friends and family. It’s not the same as the formal Arabic you might see in books or official documents. Instead, it’s more relaxed and casual.

The best intensive online Levantine Arabic programs offer flexible scheduling, allowing you to take lessons from anywhere, at any time. All you need is an internet connection and a comfortable place to sit. With online courses, you have the freedom to learn at your own pace, saving both time and money.

Where can I find an online Arabic course?  

You can find intensive online Arabic courses on various platforms across the internet. One notable option is the Volunteer for Palestine. We offer a range of online language courses, including Syrian, Palestinian, Jordanian, and Lebanese Arabic, which is commonly known as Levantine or Shami Arabic. You can explore their courses to find the one that best fits your needs and preferences.

Why should I sign up for an Online Arabic Course?    

Volunteer for Palestine has experience in teaching languages, including Arabic. The center hires qualified Palestinian teachers who hold degrees in Arabic literature and English literature.

The center’s teachers have taught many international students who come from countries all around the world, which means they are experienced enough to teach anyone using sophisticated teaching methods. 

Who teaches the Online Arabic Course?  

Volunteer for Palestine hires teachers who hold a bachelor’s degree in either Arabic or English Studies. Beginners are placed with teachers who speak good English to facilitate the learning process. Arabic students who already speak Arabic quite well are placed with teachers who speak basic English, with the primary communication between student and teacher conducted in Arabic

What kinds of Online Arabic Courses are there? 

The center offers a variety of intensive online Arabic courses, including Modern-Standard Arabic, Shami Arabic (Levantine Arabic), and Palestinian Arabic. Click this link to visit the website to find more details on each class: 

What is the difference between Modern-Standard Arabic, Shami Arabic, and Palestinian Arabic? 

1. Modern-Standard Arabic 

Modern-Standard Arabic is mainly used today in the press, in education, and for official transactions. It is a direct descendant of heritage Arabic. The use of modern-standard Arabic became common due to the spread of modern media such as radio and television. 

2. Shami Arabic

Shami Arabic “Levantine Dialect” is the dialect of the Arabic language spoken in the Levant or Greater Syria, which arose out of the linguistic shift in the region from the Aramaic language to Arabic. The Levantine dialect is the result of the Arabisation of the Levant. Their original Aramaic language was influenced by the spread of Phoenician, Canaanite, Syriac, and Hebrew. Sometimes the term ‘Levantine Dialect’ refers to the Levantine dialect in the city of Damascus in Syria.  

3. The Palestinian dialect

The Palestinian dialect is one of the colloquial Arabic dialects and is part of the Southern Shami dialect group, spoken by the people of Palestine. As in the Levantine dialect, there is no single Palestinian dialect; there are several dialects that differ from city to city and from one geographical region to another. 

Palestinian rural dialects differ from the peasant dialect, for example, the pronunciation of the letter Qaf “ق”, as if it were the letter Kaf ”ك”, which distinguishes it from other Palestinian dialects, especially in Jenin and Tulkarm.

Which one should I learn? 

This depends on what you want from the language. 

  • If you want to speak it and communicate with Arabs, then learning one of the dialects is your best option. 
  • You will learn how to use spoken language in daily life. If you want to learn how to read and write, then Modern Standard Arabic is a good place to start.
  • You can start both at the same time or start with the Standard first, then the spoken later, or the opposite. 

Intensive Levantine Arabic Online Programs: Overview

Minimum Arabic Online Hours 10 Hours is the Minimum
Cost of one hour 20 Euros (check prices here)
One Educational Hour 45 Minutes 
Duration of one Class Two Educational Hours – 90 Minutes 
Number of Students Either one-to-one or group up to 4 students
Available Levels All levels (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) 
Course’s Requirements A functional laptop, smartphone, or iPad, or any other device, Good internet connection, 
Academic Degree Not required

8 Best Intensive Levantine Arabic Online Programs

Volunteer for Palestine is delighted to offer a wide selection of Levantine Arabic dialects to learn. Whether you want to learn or improve your Arabic for work, business, traveling, religious reasons, or anything else, our Arabic courses will accommodate your language requirements.

There is often a big difference between the various Arabic dialects in the Arab world. Therefore, we recommend carefully choosing a dialect to study, particularly as a first-time learner. For absolute beginners, we generally recommend Modern Standard Arabic or Levantine Arabic (a dialect that can be understood in many Arabic-speaking countries).

Here is a full list of the dialects we offer in Online Ammiyya Arabic Lessons:

1. Palestinian Arabic Online Course  

Palestinian Online Course: The Palestinian dialect, a colloquial form of Arabic known as Ammiya, belongs to the Southern Levantine dialect group and is widely spoken across Palestine. Notably, this dialect closely resembles Modern Standard Arabic, or Fusha, making it a practical choice for learners seeking to improve conversational skills and formal Arabic comprehension.

Because the Palestinian dialect preserves many aspects of classical Arabic pronunciation, with only minor adjustments, it can serve as an entrance point for understanding Fusha. Thus, mastering this dialect not only enables effective communication in Palestine but also strengthens your proficiency in Standard Arabic.

2. Study Modern Standard Arabic Online

Study Modern Standard Arabic Online is a great opportunity to learn a form of Arabic that is understood by people in twenty-two countries throughout the Arabic-speaking world. By taking this online course, you will learn the form of Arabic that is most often used in literary texts, in the press, in education, and in official transactions. This form of Arabic is also a direct descendant of the classical Arabic that is found in the Quran and other historical texts.

Studying Modern Standard Arabic Online provides students at every level with a comprehensive study of Arabic’s beautiful and poetic features. They will learn all about its formulaic sentence structure, expressive vocabulary, and artistic script. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) was first developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as a way for Arabic publications to reach a wider audience without having to navigate the complexities of various dialects. Since its initial development, MSA has quickly become the contemporary standard for literary, legal, and academic publications and is widely used internationally.

3. Studying Levantine Arabic Online

Studying Levantine Arabic Online: Levantine Arabic, also known as Shami Arabic or the Ammiyya dialect, is a fantastic option for those who want to learn this widely spoken and increasingly important dialect from the comfort of their home. Spoken by approximately 42 million people across Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, Levantine Arabic is a cornerstone of the Levant region. It is easily understood throughout the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

This dialect bridges linguistic gaps, enabling communication with people in countries like Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Gulf states. Studying Levantine Arabic online allows you to immerse yourself in the language, practice with other learners, and build the skills needed to connect with diverse communities throughout the Arab world.

4. Jordanian Arabic Online Course

Jordanian Online Course: Volunteer for Palestine offers a range of Jordanian Arabic online programs tailored to help non-Arabic-speaking expatriates integrate. Our courses place a strong emphasis on practical conversation, focusing on vocabulary relevant to daily situations. Jordanian Arabic, also known as Jordanian Colloquial Arabic (Ammiya Jordanian Arabic) or simply Jordanian, is a variant of Arabic spoken in Jordan. It falls under Levantine Arabic (Shami Arabic), a group of Arabic dialects spoken in the Levant, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.

In contrast to Modern Standard Arabic, which is used in formal settings and written communication, Jordanian Arabic is the spoken language in everyday conversations. It reflects the local culture and incorporates colloquial expressions specific to Jordan. Acquiring proficiency in Jordanian Arabic is especially advantageous for expatriates or individuals seeking to communicate effectively with their local Jordanian community.

5. Study Egyptian Arabic Online

Study Egyptian Arabic Online: Volunteer for Palestine offers a comprehensive range of intensive and non-intensive Egyptian colloquial online Arabic courses. Beginning with the Starter Course and working through to the Advanced. The online Arabic lessons offered by Volunteer for Palestine are as diverse and far-reaching as Arabic culture itself.

Our Egyptian online Arabic programs cover all aspects of language learning, focusing on phonetics, conversation, writing, reading, and listening comprehension, as well as common idioms, completing daily tasks, and discussing subjects suited to your course level. By doing so, this ensures you have a wide range of understanding of Arabic.

6. Study Lebanese Arabic Online Course

Lebanese Online Course: Volunteer for Palestine offers live, interactive group courses and private lessons in Lebanese Arabic year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter). Our experienced teachers work with learners of all ages to improve their Arabic proficiency, especially Lebanese Arabic. Our group courses follow an organized curriculum called Lebanese Arabic from Scratch, designed for learners of all abilities.

Whether you are just beginning with your Arabic journey or are already an advanced learner, with multiple difficulty levels, one of our courses will be the right fit for you. Lebanese Arabic, also known as Ammiyya dialect, is a variety of Levantine Arabic (Shami Arabic) native to Lebanon. Because of the significant influences from other Middle Eastern and European languages, it is distinct from other Arabic dialects.

7. Syrian Arabic Online Program

Syrian Online Course: The Study Syrian Arabic Online Program is a valuable opportunity for those who want to learn and study the increasingly relevant and critical dialect (also known as Ammiya, Shami, or Levantine Colloquial Arabic) and practice with other students. Shami Arabic is spoken by nearly 42 million people in four Arab countries: Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.

Syrian Arabic (Levantine dialect) is the most easily understandable dialect for people in the MENA region (including countries of the Gulf and Arab countries in the northernmost areas of the African continent, such as Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Libya) and is the dialect most similar to Modern Standard Arabic. Its wide comprehensibility allows speakers of this dialect to communicate with a broad audience of Arabic speakers. Thus, learning the Shami dialect is a gateway to connecting with people across a wide, culturally diverse region.

8. Online Arabic for Kids and Teens

Online Arabic for Kids: Volunteer for Palestine offers online Arabic courses for children and young people aged 10 to 17 years old. Perfect for anyone eager to learn about the Arabic language and culture, these elementary classes differ from adult learning in content as well as teaching method, e.g., image recognition and games play a huge role, as well as the ability to access children’s Arabic digital media, including TV shows, books, and articles on a wide range of subjects.

Our online Arabic courses are an excellent way to introduce children to an authentic Arabic language, culture, and media from the comfort of home. Specially designed for children, the course includes age-appropriate picture books, articles, and digital media in a virtual format. If you are looking to introduce your child to the Arabic-speaking world, then enroll them in our Arabic Online Program to begin their language journey!

What teaching material will be used in the online Arabic course? 

The Online Arabic Course will be based on useful books that ensure good results. These books include:

  • Al-Tareek Ela Arabia) for the Modern-Standard Arabic online course.
  • Regarding the Shami Arabic (Levantine Arabic) online course, the book used is “Colloquial Arabic (Levantine): The Complete Course for Beginners,” which teaches you the Syrian dialect.
  • The book used for the online course “Colloquial Palestinian Arabic” is “An Introduction to the Spoken Palestinian Dialect” by Nassir Isleem.      

What else does the online Arabic course include? 

Besides the books, the online course will include exercises, exams, and homework to ensure you learn Arabic quickly

Can I try one hour for free? 

Yes, the Arabic online course includes a free one-hour trial, where you can afterwards decide if you want to continue with the online course. This hour gives you a clear image of what the course is like and what it includes.      

 Who is the Online Arabic Course suitable for?

The online Arabic course is suitable for people who:

  • An online Arabic course is suitable for students who study Arabic literature at university, Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic Studies, languages, and other related majors. 
  • The Arabic Online Course is suitable for anyone who wants to learn a new language, improve their Arabic skills, or practice what they have learned. 
  • Arabic Online Course is a very good option for those who can’t travel and attend an actual class due to work responsibilities, family obligations, or travel costs, and all related arrangements.     

Flexibility and Customisation 

  • You decide the time and the dates of the lessons (taking the time difference into account)
  • You can register for the course any time you want. There is no deadline.  
  • The online Arabic course can be customised according to your language needs and/or specialisation.  

What language levels are available in the course? Should I take a placement test?  

The Levantine Arabic Online Course is designed for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Our teachers are trained to adjust classes to students’ language levels.

If you already have knowledge of Arabic or you have already studied before in the university or at school, then you are required to take the placement test.   

Awards And Recognitions 

Volunteer for Palestine has proudly earned several Community Awards, including recognition as the Best Arabic Language School overseas, one of the best Online Programs for Colloquial Arabic Providers, and the Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities abroad for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. For further details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.

How to register for the online Arabic course?

It’s easy, all you need is to send an email to Info@ecpalestine.org. We will then contact you shortly. We are happy to answer any questions! 

8 Best Intensive Levantine Arabic Online Programs – Conclusion

In conclusion, our online intensive Levantine Arabic programs offer a convenient way for learners to understand this lively language spoken in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. With many resources available, such as courses, materials, and teachers, you can customize your learning to fit your needs and preferences.

Whether you want to improve your communication for travel, work, or just for fun, these online programs give you a great chance to learn Levantine Arabic. You’ll discover the culture and make connections with people from the region. Plus, with online learning, you can study when it suits you best. So, start your journey to fluency in Levantine Arabic today!

Contact Us

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Info@ecpalestine.org

WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880

Website: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/

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