Learn Arabic in Egypt

Learn Arabic in Egypt

One of the advantages of taking an Arabic course at our school in Cairo is that the two most common versions of Arabic, Fousha and Aameya, exist side by side in Egypt.

Our Arabic school in Cairo offers courses in both versions of the language, and you can even combine your study of the two on our Combined Course.

Cairo - Image Gallery

'Fousha' - Modern Standard Arabic
If you want to learn to read Arabic, then you'll need to study Fousha, or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). MSA is used in mosques, newspapers, and on TV in North Africa and across the Middle East. As the common language of the educated Arab world, MSA is also the language of international Arab conferences.

'Aameya' - Egyptian Colloquial Arabic
If you want to learn to speak Arabic in everyday conversation, then you'll need to take a course in Aameya, or Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ECA). ECA is the most widely spoken version of Arabic, used in everyday conversation across the Middle East. ECA has become the dominant spoken version of Arabic in the Arabic speaking world.

Arabic class at our school in Cairo

Our school cafeteria

If you want to learn to speak, read and write Arabic, there is no better place to do so than in Egypt, at the meeting point of Africa, Asia and Europe! From Egyptian icons such as the Sphinx and the Pyramids, to Greek, Roman and Islamic historical sites, you'll find plenty to do and see during your Arabic course in Cairo!

Our school in Cairo, Egypt

Our Arabic school in Egypt is centrally located in downtown Cairo (just a short walk from the city's main shopping street).

Our school in Cairo is exceptionally well equipped, with 14 spacious, air-conditioned classrooms, library, free Internet access, student cafeteria and comfortable on-site residence.

Our Arabic courses in Cairo, Egypt

We offer a range of Arabic courses in Egypt, including Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ECA) and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). 95% of our students choose our Combined Course (20 lessons of ECA & MSA/week), which is intensive enough to ensure good progress in both versions of Arabic. We keep our class size to an average of 8 students (max 16) so you'll receive plenty of individual attention. All our teachers are fully qualified and experienced native speakers.

• Egyptian Colloquial Arabic Course (ECA - 8 lessons/week)
• Modern Standard Arabic Course (MSA - 10 lessons/week)
• Combined ECA/MSA Course (18 lessons/week)
• One-to-One Course (10 lessons/week)

Our school also offers special interest courses on request, including Media Arabic and Calligraphy (writing Arabic characters). Please contact us for details.

Accommodation in Cairo

If you're staying in Egypt for four weeks or more, we recommend staying in our comfortable and convenient on-site residence. You can stay in a single or twin room, sharing the kitchen and lounge with other students from the school. You'll have access to satellite TV, and there's 24-hour security at the entrance to the building. Please note that our on-site residence is very popular, so do book early!

Kitchen in our on-site residence

Room in on-site residence

You can also choose from our shared student apartment (sharing with other students from the school) and hotel options. Please contact us for more details.

• On-site school residence
• Shared student apartment
• Hotel

Please note that accommodation in a shared apartment or hotel is not included, and should be paid for directly in Cairo.

For more information on any of our accommodation options, please contact us.

Cultural Activities

With so much to see and do in Egypt, you'll want to explore as much as possible during your Arabic course in Cairo. You can do so with our school's optional activities program which changes every month. Visit the Pyramids and the Spinx with a professional guide, explore Islamic and Coptic Cairo, or join a day-trip to Fayoum!

Star Points

• High quality Arabic language course
• Centrally located school in downtown Cairo
• Well-equipped school with Internet access and cafeteria
• Comfortable and convenient on-site residence
• Wide range of optional cultural activities

How to get there

Excursion to the Pyramids of Giza

Useful local information

If you want to learn Arabic in Egypt, you will require a visa. However, for students from most countries, acquiring a visa is a very simple process and you do not have to do so before you travel to Egypt. Our school recommends that you simply purchase a tourist visa in one of the banks in the arrival hall of Cairo Airport, before proceeding through immigration. Tourist visas are valid for 4 weeks. If you are staying longer, our school will advise you on how to extend your visa. Please note that students from South Africa, Israel, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran and India may not be able to buy a visa on arrival, and should therefore check with their local consulate before travelling.

If you have any questions regarding acquiring a visa for your Arabic language course, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you would like to study Arabic in Egypt and would like to know more about the country, you can visit the CIA World Factbook Egypt page for a map and more information.

If you would like to visit the pyramids during your Arabic course in Cairo, you can find out more about the pharaohs on the BBC's Ancient History pages.