One of the reasons I wanted to move to Jordan was to learn a new language. I moved here mid-February 2017 and it’s now mid-September and though my street Arabic is progressing shwai shwai, I know I really need to kick myself in the butt and get some more formal classes ASAP! My first strategy was to post in expat & locals Facebook groups asking for Arabic teachers. Needless to say I got a lot of messages, but none from qualified teachers…
Exhibit A:
I also got a lot of language exchange requests, but I’m being selfish right now and I just want to learn Arabic without having to teach someone in return.
And then there were other messages that gave some, um, alternative suggestions for learning Arabic…
I’m actually quite partial to the part about eating Arabic food to learn the language, but since I’ve eaten about 10 kilos of falafel & 50 kilos of hummus over the months and I’m still not fluent, I knew it was time for the old school option…going to school.
Now I haven’t officially started class yet, I’ve just done a bit of hunting and asking for recos for language academies in Amman. Here is a running list of the schools I was recommended:
Deewan Institute for Languages and Cultural Studies
Location:
Jabal el Weibdeh, Paris Circle
Contact Info:
- 0790545728
- info@deewaninstitute.com
- https://www.deewaninstitute.com/
- https://web.facebook.com/pg/Deewaninstitute/
Jordan Language Academy
Location:
Swefieh, 13 Hammam Bin Munabbeh Street
Courses & Programs:
Full-time, part-time, intensive, tailor-made, tutoring… see all options here.
Contact Info:
- (06) 582 0985
- info@jordanla.com
- http://www.jordanla.com/
- https://web.facebook.com/jlaarabic/
Zeta International Center
Location:
Jabal Al Weibdeh
Contact Info:
- 07 9641 2333
- info@zetajo.com
- https://web.facebook.com/ZICJor/
Qasid Arabic Institute
Location:
22 Queen Rania (University) Street
Prices:
Consult all prices here.
Contact Info:
Shababeek
Location:
8th Circle – Senad Complex #9, Above Jiwar Market, 2nd Floor
What makes Shababeek different:
Start times at Shababeek are flexible provided they have availability (except in semester-long classes). Morning sessions can be quite crowded, but typically they can work people in at any time of the year for whatever length they wish to join. They emphasize a coached based GPA approach to language learning, which means they focus on developing better communication skills and comprehension. It also means their certified language learning advisors are regularly observing sessions and giving feedback to participants.
Prices:
- Private Classes: 8-10 JD/hour
- Pair: 5-6.5 JD/hour
- Group: 4.5-6 JD/hour
Consult all prices here.
Contact Info:
- (06) 582 2158
- jk@shababeekcenter.com
- http://shababeekcenter.com/
- https://web.facebook.com/pg/shababeekcenter/
Sijal Institute for Arabic Language and Culture
Location:
Jabal Amman, Rainbow Street
What makes Sijal different:
The staff at Sijal is highly professional and accomplished with the majority of teachers having their doctorate or master’s, in addition to many years of experience. While private tutoring prices might be higher than neighboring institutions (~21 JD/hour), they offer high quality, communicative and culturally engaged instruction and give personal, individualized focus on each student whether in a group or private class. In addition to the language classes, Sijal offers a rich cultural calendar of public and private film screenings, lectures, workshops and events. Languages are not learned in a vacuum–Sijal tries to provide all students with the opportunity to engage intellectually and culturally with Jordanians and Palestinians doing interesting work here in Amman.
Contact Info:
- (06) 465 4651
- info@sijal.org
- https://web.facebook.com/pg/sijalinstitute/
LingoArt Center
Location:
Abu Bakker Assideeq Street
Contact Info:
- (06) 420 0131
- info@lingoartcenter.com
- https://web.facebook.com/lingoartcenter/
Misbah Intercultural Center
Location:
Jabal al Weibdeh
What makes Misbah Center different:
They are a very flexible center and allow students to set their classes schedule according to their needs up until 9 p.m.
Prices:
- Individual: 9 JD/hour
- Pair: 7.5 JD/hour
- Group: 6 JD/hour
Contact Info:
- (06) 462 5022
- misbahcenter@gmail.com
- http://www.misbahcenter.com/
- https://web.facebook.com/Misbah-Intercultural-Center-1525515324409369/
Berlitz Language Center
Location:
Shmeisani, Prince Shaker Bin Zeid Street – Bldg#46
What makes Berlitz different:
Berlitz focuses on teaching students through speaking and not just studying.
Contact Info:
- (06) 566 5393
- berlitz@berlitz-jo.com
- http://berlitz-jo.com/learn-arabic
- https://web.facebook.com/BerlitzLearnArabicInJordan
Institut Français de Jordanie
Location:
Jabal al Weibdeh, Paris Circle
What makes IF different:
They organize a lot of cultural activities: yoga, break dancing and contemporary dance classes with Jordanian professional teachers, and more! Follow them on their Twitter or Instagram to be in the loop.
Prices:
Group sessions
- 195 JD – 45 hours
Private classes
- 1 student : 29 JD/hour
- 2 students : 35 JD/hour
- 3 students : 42 JD/hour
- 4 to 9 students : 45 JD/hour
- 10 to 15 students : 50 JD/hour
See all rates here.
Contact Info:
- (06) 461 2658
- info@ifjordan.com
- http://ifjordan.com/
- https://web.facebook.com/pg/InstitutfrancaisdeJordanie/
What am I missing? Comment below and let me know!
The best and most well structured and professionally run Arabic institute is Qasid Arabic Institute in Amman. Internationally known to be the most effective academically and most immersed culturally. There activities & trips are amazing!
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Thanks Jamal! I’ll add them to the list 🙂
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