The Winter Syrian Arabic Program offers a rich opportunity to study Arabic in the heart of the Levant—Damascus, Syria. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced learner, this immersive program is designed to help you develop fluency in Syrian Colloquial Arabic, Levantine (Shami) Arabic, or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) while experiencing the warmth of Syrian hospitality and the depth of its cultural heritage.
Running throughout December, January, and February, the program is ideal for students, professionals, and lifelong learners seeking a meaningful winter experience that combines language learning with cultural exploration. With small class sizes, experienced instructors, and cultural experiences that extend beyond the classroom, our Winter Immersion Course in Syria offers a fulfilling experience that goes beyond the textbooks.
Program Highlights
- Flexible start dates: Begin anytime during the winter months
- Small class sizes: 1–3 students per group for personalized instruction
- Experienced Syrian instructors with strong academic backgrounds
- Daily Arabic lessons (4–6 hours/day, 5 days/week)
- Accommodation with a Syrian host family or in a shared apartment
- Cultural immersion through site visits, excursions, and community engagement
- Certificate of completion
- No application deadline – apply anytime!
Table of Contents
Variety of Arabic Dialects Offered
With approximately 376 million speakers worldwide, the Arabic language is found across diverse geographic and cultural regions. There are around 25 distinct Arabic dialects. Because dialects can differ significantly, we recommend carefully choosing a dialect to study. If you are unsure of which dialect you would like to speak, think about which region you would like to engage with, study, or visit. For absolute beginners, we generally recommend Modern Standard Arabic or Syrian Arabic, which is widely understood in many Arabic-speaking countries.
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), also known as Fushā, is a dialect understood in all Arabic-speaking countries. However, the dialect itself is not spoken in daily life. Instead, MSA is used in formal written communication such as literary or journalistic works. Because this dialect can be more challenging to learn, unless you have a specific goal to read literature or study Arabic academically, we recommend learning a spoken dialect.
Here is a complete list of the dialects we offer in our Arabic Winter Immersion Course in Syrian :
- Colloquial Syrian Arabic (Ammiyya Arabic)
- Shami or Palestinian Arabic (Ammiya dialect)
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- Classical Arabic (Fusha—formal literary Arabic)
- A mixed program (MSA, Syrian Arabic, and Colloquial Palestinian Arabic)
Winter Syrian Arabic Program – Program Overview
| Place of Program | Damascus, Syria |
| Program Fees | Intensive = Starting from 450 € (Euro) (Confirm Prices Here) |
| Age Requirement | 16+ |
| Minimum Duration | Intensive = One Week – 20 HoursSuper Intensive: 20 Hours |
| Maximum Duration | 13 Weeks or 3 months |
| Teaching Hours | Intensive = 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. |
| One Teaching Hour | 45 Minutes |
| Average students in the class | 1 – 3 Students (individual classes can be specified) |
| Arabic lesson periods | Morning (8:30 – 12:30), Afternoon (12:30 – 16:00) |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible/Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Days off | Two days (Fridays and Saturdays) |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
Course Intensity Options
All Winter Arabic Courses come in three intensity levels. Regardless of whether you’re a beginning or advanced learner, you can choose from a non-intensive, intensive, or super-intensive course. The course intensity determines the frequency of classes, as well as their level of immersion and out-of-classroom coursework.
1. Non-Intensive Arabic Course
Ideal for students who want to combine study with leisure or long-term stay. Designed to provide students with ample classroom immersion while allowing them plenty of time to explore the city of Damascus.
- ~12 lesson hours/week
- 3 days/week
We recommend that students interested in a long-term program (anywhere from 1 – 3 months) enroll in a non-intensive Arabic course.
2. Intensive Arabic Course
Designed for students seeking a balanced pace with daily practice and cultural engagement.
- 20 lesson hours/week
- 5 days/week
Intensive Arabic courses will have additional homework and out-of-classroom assignments.
3. Super-Intensive Arabic Course
Designed for students who seek a comprehensive, immersive, and high-intensity classroom experience.
- 30 lesson hours/week
- 6 hours/day, 5 days/week
Due to the demanding schedule, we recommend Super-Intensive courses for those enrolled in shorter programs (1–4 weeks).
Small Group and Private Learning
We keep class sizes small (1-3 students per class) to ensure quality instruction and personalized support. Our native Syrian teachers have years of experience and use up-to-date methodologies. Courses are designed to maximize student engagement and progress.
Immersive Learning & Cultural Exchange
Studying Arabic in Syria is ideal for learners of all levels since living in an Arabic-speaking country accelerates the learning process. In Syria, your everyday life will likely consist of interacting with locals, shopping, or asking for directions. These all provide opportunities to apply classroom vocabulary in real-world settings. Between the repetition of these activities, the constant language input around you, and coursework, you will quickly become confident in using the language.
With culture and history all around you and immersion in the Arabic language, you will learn much more beyond simply speaking and understanding the language. Local speakers will immerse you in colloquial speech and customs, allowing you to communicate comfortably and naturally in a new cultural and linguistic environment. As a result, you will build not only language proficiency but also intercultural competency.
Our experienced Syrian instructors foster confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Through lessons, excursions, and spontaneous encounters, you’ll gain fluency and intercultural understanding. At the Study Levantine Arabic School and the Excellence Center, we are known for our diverse teaching staff, comprising Syrian teachers well versed in the Syrian dialect, customs, and traditions.
Living with a Syrian Host Family
As part of our summer Syrian Arabic program, you will be offered accommodation with a local Syrian host family for the duration of your study in Damascus. These homestays provide an unmatched opportunity to practice your Arabic with local Syrian people, including women, children, and youth. You may even get the chance to attend weddings and other cultural events with your host family.
Moreover, the intensive Arabic coursework, combined with daily interactions with the Syrian host family, will help you rapidly increase your Arabic proficiency, regardless of your current level. If homestays are unavailable or you prefer another option, shared apartments are also offered.
Why Study Arabic In Syria?
Here are a few reasons to study Arabic in Damascus:
- The hospitality of Syrians and the pleasant climate offer a great attraction to overseas students.
- The Study Arabic Program in Syria provides a first-hand experience of one of the most politically relevant regions of the Middle East.
- The Arabic Immersion Program will provide you with the chance to visit unique tourist and historical attractions from a native Syrian perspective – including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia, Tartus, Palmyra, Bosra, and Maaloula.
- You’ll also have the opportunity to explore nearby cities such as Amman, Petra, Jerash, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Tiberias, and Masada.
- The Intensive Arabic Courses offered in our programs: Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine (Shami) dialects, Ammiya, Classical, and Syrian Arabic, using up-to-date teaching methods in an intensive learning environment.
- Our center is staffed by well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you.
- Besides developing their Arabic language skills, students will authentically experience Syrian culture through living with host families, various local trips, as well as Study Syrian Levantine School’s organized in-house and local activities.
- We will provide participants with a certificate upon completion.
As an international student learning Arabic in Syria, you will have the opportunity to meet Syrian students, in addition to local community members and organizers.
Winter Immersion Courses in Syria
During the cold winter months, many of us can feel a bit low, but learning a new language is a great way to beat the winter blues! The Center offers winter intensive Arabic classes of all levels and intensities, ranging from 1 to 13 weeks in length. The longer you choose to stay, the more you will learn!
Our Study Arabic Programs
Here you may find a list of our various course options in Syria:
How to Apply
Please send an email application request to Info@studyarabic.org with Winter Immersion Course in Syria as the subject line. Once we receive your email, we will send you the application form. We aim to respond to all emails within 1-2 business days.
Reviews and Awards
Study Levantine Arabic School has been honored with several prestigious Community Awards and recognized as the Best Language School and Top Volunteer and Internship Program Provider for 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. For more details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
- +880 reviews (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +190 reviews (93%) on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Find Us Online
Do you have questions about our work? Contact us:
Email: Info@studyarabic.org
WhatsApp: +972 599 479 880
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
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Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg