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Modern Standard Arabic Intensive

Levantine Institute
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Course description

For students interested in strictly learning MSA, this program is the right one for you. The MSA program goes through all the steps of the learning process, all levels are accepted from complete beginners to C level students.

The curriculum at the Levantine Institute of Tripoli (LEVIT) relies on several manuals such as “Al Kitaab” from Georgetown University Press, or “Easy Arabic Reader” by Jane Wightwick that are used in most of the Arabic departments around the world.

However, these books have proven to be incomplete if used each on their own. Therefore, the methodology we follow is a mix of multiple contents: written, audio and video. Classes are structured on a balance between technical: grammar, rules, exceptions and intuitive: musicality, mnemonic triggers, oral traditions and pronunciation in order to achieve the four key competencies: oral and written production and oral and written comprehension.

The purpose is to live and learn the Arabic language as a whole, through its culture, history, anecdotes and actual connections and communication with the context and the humans who populate it. The LEVIT considers that classes only give you the keys to express yourself and a great deal of the work needs to be done outside of the classroom. This is why we chose Tripoli: it is a place where any student can easily practice what they learned during the courses.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-46 weeks
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 60 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

Morning session
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Afternoon session
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Tripoli.

Class size

Average 6 students
Maximum 10 students

Student age

Age range 18 - 99 years old
Average 25 years old
(23 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

The Levantine Institute of Tripoli offers high quality Arabic courses for foreigners, and Arab expats teaching both Levantine Dialect and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).

The Institute also provides volunteering opportunities to teach French, English and/or participate in different programs related to education in partnership with local NGOs in North Lebanon.

The purpose is to live and learn the Arabic language as a whole, through its culture, history, anecdotes and actual connections and communication with the context and the humans who populate it. The LEVIT considers that classes only give you the keys to express yourself and a great deal of the work needs to be done outside of the classroom. This is why we chose Tripoli: it is a place where any student can easily practice what they learned during the courses. Through partnership with local NGOs and the Maan Center for children located within our premises, we strongly encourage students at the LEVIT to volunteer and interact as much as they can with the local community.

Besides private lessons, the LEVIT offers two programs:

vThe Levantine Immersion program takes the students from the day-to-day basic conversation and vocabulary to more complex subjects depending on progress. The teaching also focuses on using the origins of the words, the similarities and differences between the colloquial and the literal and an explanation of the grammar rules that structure the dialect. You will learn how to speak the Levantine and get background information on the formal shape of the Arabic language. Advanced classes tackle socio-political subjects of our region as well as culture, literature and media.

vThe MSA (Modern Standard Arabic) program for all levels based on the same interactive philosophy. Starting with beginner classes, our MSA program brings the basic of Arabic literacy all the way to specialized subjects focusing on journalism, politics, international relations and sociology for the more advanced levels. To meet international standards of MSA, the LEVIT relies mostly on “Al-Kitaab” book.

Year opened
2017
Number of classrooms
7

Facilities

  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • After-Class Seminars
  • Studying Area

Teacher qualifications

Native Arabic speakers
All
Teachers with Arabic teaching certification
Over 50%
Teachers with college degrees
All

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Levantine Institute varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 25. In the summer, the average age is 23.

LEVIT teaches students from all over the world, including:

Germany
20%
Italy
15%
France
12%
UK
10%
USA
10%
Australia
5%
Norway
4%
Other
24%

School holidays

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
None

School location

Take a cab to the Charles Helou bus station in Beirut. A Connex bus departs to Tripoli every 30mn, wifi is available onboard. Once arrived at the final destination of the bus, Sahet el Nour, you can take a Taxi from Sahet el Nour to Al Mina street, it's a 10 minutes in the car.

You can find our location on google map:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Levantine+Institute+of+Tripoli/@34.4537116,35.8134122,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x1521f41dcdf09f8f:0xb2983d266df90c13!8m2!3d34.4537116!4d35.8134122!16s%2Fg%2F11g7c_1kt0?shorturl=1

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Photos

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reviews

Reviews

67% recommend

based on 3 reviews
5 stars
1
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"Not what I expected"

Marie-Albane Marechal, student from France

I had two teachers. The one I had in group lesson was great, she has put lot of efforts to teach outside of the box. I have progressed and improved a lot thanks to her dedication. The second teacher wasn’t very professional and didn’t have a lot of experience teaching foreign students since she has been teaching kids until then. Curriculum very disappointing, with little consistency.

The administration is overall not organised. No one was here for the check in at the house, I had to wait one hour for them to send one of their maintenance staff. There was no wifi in the house and no indication or welcome tips for you to get around. The house was more like an annex of the office institute. The administration staff will often show up without any notice. They also gave the key to one of the student for her to have her class in our house with again no notification. The house had active cameras, I have asked several times to remove them, it’s only been covered one week before the end.

No activities took place, you must pay more if you want to participate. I wouldn’t recommend to book the taxi through the institute as they charge double the price.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
5 weeks
Date of study
8 Nov 2021 - 17 Dec 2021
Would you recommend this school?
No
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was beautiful experience"

Francesca Lauria, student from Italy

We were 4 students in our class, the teacher was prepared to teaching to strangers students the . The School had teaching from everywhere . Very interesting the activities

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
5 Aug 2019 - 30 Aug 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"One of the best experiences I have ever had"

Mitchell Robert Strong Jr., student from USA

My teacher was great . Her name was Maya and was the best Arabic teacher. The staff was amazing. However , the time outside the school was even better. I made so many new friends. Went to a wedding and grieved with a family due to a death

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
8 Oct 2018 - 2 Nov 2018
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

LEVIT offers the following housing types:
apartment

Shared apartment - 2-person shared room - No meals

NZ$ 125
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: Sakafi/Azmi street, Tripoli, North Governorate 1300, Lebanon
Location: In the city center of Tripoli
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, carpet, heating, and 24/7 supervision
Distance to school: 5 - 10 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 12:00 PM
NZ$ 125
All students of the Levantine Institute can be provided with accommodation : a shared room with another student of the same sex.

All students are hosted in the dorms of the Institute in Zehrieh, in the heart of Tripoli's vibrant district, down town and the old souks, perfect environment to learn Arabic. Students will be allocated rooms at a first come first served basis.

All bills are included in the package as well as a weekly cleaning service, students will only have to pay for their food and transportation.

The cost of living in Tripoli is about 50% cheaper than in Beirut.

Our apartments are all equipped with a Wifi connection and are fully furnished, bed sheets included.

Kindly check in the section Gallery for pictures and don't hesitate to contact us for more information.

Shared apartment - Single-person room - No meals

NZ$ 157
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: Sakafi/Azmi, Tripoli, North Governorate 1300, Lebanon
Location: In the city center of Tripoli
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, carpet, air conditioning, heating, and 24/7 supervision
Distance to school: 5 - 10 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 12:00 PM
NZ$ 157
All students of the Levantine Institute can be provided with accommodation

All students are hosted in the dorms of the Institute in Zehrieh, in the heart of Tripoli's vibrant district, down town and the old souks, perfect environment to learn Arabic. Students will be allocated rooms at a first come first served basis.

All bills are included in the package as well as a weekly cleaning service, students will only have to pay for their food and transportation.

The cost of living in Tripoli is about 50% cheaper than in Beirut.

Our apartments are all equipped with a Wifi connection and are fully furnished, bed sheets included.

Kindly check in the section Gallery for pictures and don't hesitate to contact us for more information.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Tripoli based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Levantine Institute staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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