My Amman Life

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/
• 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/
• facebook.com/jlaarabic/

Zeta International Center

Zeta International Center was established in Jordan 10 years ago. They specialize in teaching Arabic for non-speakers and work with many study abroad programs. Their courses include Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha), Classic Arabic language, Colloquial (Ammiah), Arabic for special purposes: Diplomatic, Culture and History, Media and Press, & Preparation for official exams (OPI and CASA). See all program choices here.

Prices*:

• Private classes: $25/hour
• Groups (min of 5 students): $11/hour

*Discounts: registration one month prior to the course, groups more than 10 students, registration of more than 2 months

Location:

Jabal Al Weibdeh

Contact Info:

• 07 9641 2333
• rubaalkam@zetajo.com
• https://www.zetajo.com
• facebook.com/ZICJor/

Qasid Arabic Institute

Location:

22 Queen Rania (University) Street

What makes Qasid different:

The Qasid Institute for Arabic has a comprehensive curriculum in either Modern Standard Arabic or Classical Arabic taught over five distinct levels. Alongside their core programs, they offer a selection of complementary courses in local Jordanian dialect, Tajweed and Arabic calligraphy. The program is not all academic but they also have many cultural and tourist activities like visiting Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana Reserve, Dead Sea, Wadi-Mujib and weekly in-house cultural activities such as cultural dances, cooking and a cultural week.

Prices:

Consult all prices here.

Contact Info:

• info@qasid.com
• https://www.qasid.com/
• facebook.com/pg/QasidInstitute/

Shababeek

Location:

8th Circle – Senad Complex #9, 2nd Floor (above Karnak shop)

What makes Shababeek different:

Shababeek emphasizes a coached based GPA approach to language learning (local Jordanian dialect), which means they focus on developing better communication skills and comprehension. They place a heavy focus on patterns of speech in the form of both audio floods as well as worksheets in the upper levels.

In addition, they also offer a Development Consultation Plan for non-participants who would like to have an honest assessment of strengths as well as areas that need further intentional growth. This includes a 2-hour review followed by a written report in English and Arabic and a feedback session with suggested activities that would provide a breakthrough in those areas.

Prices:

• Private Classes: 8.5-10.5 JD/hour
• Pair: 5.5-7 JD/hour
• Group: 5-6.5 JD/hour

Rate depends on number of hours, consult all prices here.

Contact Info:

• (06) 582 2158
• jk@shababeekcenter.com
• http://shababeekcenter.com/
• 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. 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.

Prices:

See all course fees here.

Contact Info:

• (06) 465 4651
• info@sijal.org
• http://sijal.org/
• facebook.com/pg/sijalinstitute/

LingoArt Center

Location:

Abu Bakker Assideeq Street

Contact Info:

• (06) 420 0131
• info@lingoartcenter.com
• 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. They teach Jordanian/Palestinian spoken dialect through a purely GPA approach for students at all levels. All nurturers are native Arabic speakers.
Relaxed and individualized learning environment allows for community and relationship-building with staff and students from around the world.

Prices:

• Individual: 7-9.5 JD/hour (depends on number of hours)
• Pair: 7.5 JD/hour
• Group: 6 JD/hour

Contact Info:

• 079 917 3008 (WhatsApp as well)
• misbahcenter@gmail.com
• http://www.misbahcenter.com/
• facebook.com/Misbah-Intercultural-Center-1525515324409369/

Berlitz Language Center

Location:

Shmeisani, Prince Shaker Bin Zeid Street – Bldg#46

What makes Berlitz different:

The Conversational Berlitz Method® is globally proven since 1878. Learners will earn confidence in speaking the language fast not by studying it but by speaking it right from the very first lesson. Berlitz ensures quality training and consistency in all its 550 worldwide centers in over 75 countries. Different class options. Private class options can start every Monday.

Contact Info:

• (06) 566 5393
• berlitz@berlitz-jo.com
• http://berlitz-jo.com/languages-taught/arabic/speak-arabic-with-confidence
• 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

• 190 JD – 40 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/
• facebook.com/pg/InstitutfrancaisdeJordanie/

Shurfah

Location:

All courses conducted online

What makes Shurfah different:

Shurfah’s mission is to help individuals enhance and develop their Arabic language capabilities and Arabic conversational skills at convenient and affordable costs, without having to make financial and time-consuming sacrifices or long journeys.

Prices:

See package rates for private tutoring sessions here.

Contact Info:

• info@shurfah.com
• https://shurfah.com/
• facebook.com/shurfah.edu/

Am I missing any places to learn Arabic in Amman? Comment below and let me know!