Courses
Two kinds of Arabic, taught one-to-one or in small groups. Every course starts with a free level test, so you begin exactly where you are.
Levantine Arabic, levels 1 to 5
The Arabic you hear in Beirut, Damascus, Amman and Jerusalem. Five levels take you from your first greetings to following a conversation at a dinner table.
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L130–40 hours
Level 1: first conversations
Greet people, introduce yourself and handle the simple exchanges of daily life.
At the end you can
- Introduce yourself and talk about your family and work
- Order in a café, take a taxi and shop
- Use numbers, prices, days and times
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L230–40 hours
Level 2: everyday life
Talk about your routine, your plans and your past, and understand simple replies.
At the end you can
- Describe your day and your week
- Talk about what you did and what you will do
- Make arrangements by phone or WhatsApp
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L340–50 hours
Level 3: getting by with confidence
Hold longer conversations and deal with most situations on your own.
At the end you can
- Explain a problem and ask for help
- Give your opinion and agree or disagree
- Follow the gist of conversations between native speakers
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L440–50 hours
Level 4: real discussions
Discuss work, news and society, and understand people speaking at natural speed.
At the end you can
- Take part in meetings and social discussions
- Tell a story with detail and nuance
- Understand television series and interviews
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L550+ hours
Level 5: fluent and natural
Speak easily and naturally, with the expressions and humour of native speakers.
At the end you can
- Use idioms and proverbs naturally
- Adapt your register to any situation
- Present and negotiate in Arabic
Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha)
Modern Standard Arabic for beginners and elementary learners: the alphabet, reading, writing and the basics of grammar. Al-Kitaab is the reference textbook.
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Beginner30–40 hours
Read and write the Arabic alphabet and build your first sentences in Modern Standard Arabic.
At the end you can
- Read and write every letter and vowel
- Introduce yourself in writing and speech
- Understand the basic structure of Arabic sentences
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Elementary40–60 hours
Read short texts and write simple paragraphs, with the core grammar of Modern Standard Arabic. Al-Kitaab is the reference.
At the end you can
- Read short articles and messages
- Write simple paragraphs about familiar topics
- Use verb forms, the dual and plural patterns
Private or group?
Both follow the same levels and the same method. The difference is how flexible you need to be.
| Private lessons | Group classes | |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | You choose each time with Sherine and can move a lesson with notice. | Fixed days and times, set when the group opens. |
| Pace | Set entirely by you: faster, slower, or focused on what you need for work. | Follows the group, one level at a time. |
| Price | $30 an hour, 11th hour free | $15 an hour (2–3 students) $10 an hour (4+ students) |
| Group size | Just you | 2 to 6 students |
Not sure which Arabic to learn?
Most people who live or work in the Levant want to speak first. Here is a quick guide.
شامي Choose Levantine if…
you live in Lebanon or the region, or will soon; you want to talk with colleagues, neighbours, family or friends; you want to understand what people say in the street, in shops and on television series.
فصحى Choose Fusha if…
you need to read documents, news or literature; you study Arabic at university; you want the written foundation first, or you work with formal texts.
Still unsure? The free level test is also a conversation about your goals. Sherine will tell you honestly which one fits.
Try a full lesson before you decide.
The trial lesson is free and there is nothing to sign.