Top Places to Learn Arabic in Amman

Qasid offers a very rigorous yet excellent Arabic programme for motivated students of all levels. All courses are taught in Arabic and the majority of programmes are based on the Al Kitab textbook series. Many universities around the world send their students to Qasid as part of various year abroad programmes, which has established the institution as a real hub for global language learners. Classical Arabic is also an option at the institution, which refers primarily to the language of the Qur’an and also to the accompanying texts, and works inspired by it. Also on offer are a selection of complementary sources, although these come at an extra cost, including cooking courses, local dialect, Tajwid and calligraphy.

Ahlan‘s philosophy in teaching is to promote language as a tool for building bridges and greater understanding between cultures. They organise language courses based on a humanistic-communicative approach with cultural activities and seminars on intercultural understanding, which make for a very dynamic learning environment.

The Misba Centre is one of the more unique language institutions in Amman. Focusing on spoken Arabic in the Jordanian dialect, they teach using the ‘Growing Participatory Approach’ (GPA), whereby the student and teacher interact with various objects and verbs. This stimulates instant communication and enables students to develop familiarity with a lot of vocabulary. The later phases go on towards more abstract elements, communicating through pictures, drawings and stories.

Another wonderful course to ease you into spoken Arabic is the one offered by Jadal. Jadal is primarily a café and cultural centre located on a stairway on the way to downtown, however they regularly offer a unique 30-hour course with a cultural dimension. The course is taught through a cultural dimension, incorporating cooking, history, music and tours. It is also on the more affordable side.

The French Institute is a cultural centre offering language courses in Jordanian dialect and French. The course here spans over nine weeks and is suitable for complete beginners as well as intermediate students. The class environment is great for breaking the fear of speaking a new language and the hours are flexible for young professionals who only have the evenings to practice their Arabic.

Sijal is an institute of Arabic language and culture founded by scholars of Arab culture, history and society. Through the intensive program, Sijal offer an outstanding intensive Arabic language program for people of all levels. Their courses focus primarily on Modern Standard Arabic, but also incorporates colloquial Arabic. The institution doubles up as a cultural centre, playing host to a variety of different workshops, exhibitions and lectures. Some might say the real selling point for studying at Sijal is that it is housed in a beautiful historic villa and gardens, located just off rainbow street in Jabal Amman.

The Language Centre (LC) within the University of Jordan is a great option for those wanting to learn Modern Standard Arabic. Established by Royal Decree in 1979, the centre teaches Arabic to non-native speakers from all over the globe. The University of Jordan is the largest and oldest higher education institution in the country, and is housed within a truly beautiful campus with a stadium, restaurant and more trees than you will see in most other places in the capital.

Not to be confused with ‘The French Institute’, IFPO is an institution for students who already have a decent foundation in the Arabic language (you are required to have studied previously for two years). The institution offers a year-long course which focuses on culture, history and religion of the Arab world, taught in its entirety in the Arabic language.

Fully accredited by the Ministry of Education in Jordan to teach Arabic to non-native students, Ali Baba Language Institute offers a wide selection of courses suited to Arabic students from a range of needs and backgrounds. From standard group courses to college groups and individual sessions, Ali Baba is more affordable in comparison to institutions such as Qasid, whilst offering a competitive standard of teaching and program curriculum. They also offer a range of extracurricular activities including day trips and cooking lessons, and provide accommodation for those who need it.

If you’re looking to practice your speaking skills with a native speaker or would prefer to tailor your language tuition to your specific needs then studying at an institution may not be for you. ActionAid Global Platform provides a weekly free ‘language exchange’ to facilitate the meeting of people wanting to learn Arabic and English. Each week a new topic is released with an accompanying vocabulary sheet which will dictate the topic of the session, the best part about it is it’s totally free! Another option is to ask around for native speakers who are wanting to learn another language in order to find an appropriate exchange on an individual basis.

Whichever option you choose, Amman is a wonderfully exciting and authentic city in the Middle East to start your learning journey, all the while remaining safe and stable in the face of the tensions which surround it.

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