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Modern Standard Arabic

Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies
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Course description

Our Arabic course content and scheduling are tailored specifically to student needs. Most Arabic courses are taught in the morning, but students who need or prefer afternoon or evening classes can also be accommodated. Students in group classes will receive four hours of instruction per day at general tuition rates, while students who enroll in private classes will generally receive two hours of teaching per day.

Course topics

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

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 50 min)
Class days
Monday - Thursday and Sunday

Class times

Morning session
09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Morning session
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Morning session
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Afternoon session
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Afternoon session
02:00 PM - 03:00 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 Sana'a.

Class size

Average 4 students
Maximum 8 students

Student age

Age range 14 years old and older
Average 26 years old
(22 in the summer)

Certificate

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

School description

We were the first institution in Yemen to be devoted to teaching Arabic, and we remain the best. For more than two decades we have offered programs in both Yemeni Colloquial Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic at every level and to over 9,000 students from across the world. Our credit hours are recognized by hundreds of universities worldwide, and we offer both group classes, capped at eight students and meeting four hours per day, and private tuition that can be tailored to your needs.

Our facilities are conveniently located at the edge of Sana'a's old city. The YCMES campus building is a fully-equipped and modernized traditional Yemeni building, with wireless internet, computers, projectors, and an excellent library available to aid learning. Our nearby student accommodation provides a choice of shared, single and en-suite rooms as well as common rooms, modern kitchens, laundry facilities, wireless internet, and a gym.

Year opened
1989
Number of classrooms
15

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • TV Room
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • After-Class Seminars
  • Studying Area
  • Audio Learning

Teacher qualifications

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

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 26. In the summer, the average age is 22.

YCMES teaches students from all over the world, including:

USA
50%
Yemen
30%
UK
10%
France
3%
Germany
3%
Mexico
3%
Denmark
1%

School holidays

YCMES does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
None

School location

The YCMES facilities are located on 26th of September Street near Tahrir Square, the transportation hub and commercial center of Sana’a, and are just a short walk from the Old City. The streets that meet in Tahrir are lined with hundreds of small shops, clothing stores, cafés, restaurants, street vendors, pharmacies, bookshops, and banks. The main post office is located in Tahrir Square, as are the National Museum and Military Museum. With quick access to dubabs, buses, and taxis in Tahrir, students are able to travel throughout the city very easily.

The college is situated between the Yemeni Parliament building and the Prime Minister’s office, making for a safe and quiet neighborhood within the city’s center. The area is famed for its gardens and is located between the Old City and the old Jewish Quarter of al-Qa’a. Next, to the Guest House accommodation building lie the ruins of Imam Yahya’s old palace.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Student residence offered by Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 1/9
  • Common room at Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 2/9
  • Student residence offered by Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 3/9
  • Classroom at Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 4/9
  • Student residence offered by Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 5/9
  • Library at Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 6/9
  • Student residence offered by Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 7/9
  • Building of Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 8/9
  • Building of Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies 9/9
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

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

"I learnt a lot there with respect to Arabic language and Yemeni cutlure."

Lenka Divoka

I studied Arabic language at the College for four months, and as a beginner I felt I made great progress at the end. I found the college staff and the overall environment very friendly, and cannot thank the college teachers enough for their professionalism, patience, and humor that helped me a lot in learning the language.

I was not sure about the accommodation arrangements as I felt that living in the same house with other foreign students/teachers eliminates one’s opportunity to interact and communicate with locals. On the other hand, I felt absolutely safe there and had no worries/problems whatsoever in this respect.

Regarding facilities, the internet is sometimes weak, and the kitchen in Sabri's house needs to be repaired, otherwise I loved my room and the garden.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
17 weeks
Date of study
25 Apr 2013 - 22 Aug 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"The best experience in years"

Dr mar de fez laso

Location: Perfect ... Right next to the old city, but not in it... Next to bus station, national museum, streets with markets, ATMs, banks, restaurants,

Classes: I had the most fantastic experience. We were two in the class, with very similar levels (good entry exam this means). We received four hours per day, two with a female teacher, two with a male teacher. Excellent mix. Class area clean, airy, good chairs and desks, wonderful views

Teachers: Mohammed was one of the best teachers I have ever had. He made sure we learnt, rarely used English, had the perfect pitch and body language, and always found alternative ways to explaining new terms without resorting to English

Facilities: Library, wifi, computers

Activities: We were taken to several locations within the 100km range, so we could learn some more about the country. College tried to book for us excursions to Haddramout, Aden, Hudaida, etc... We could have done much more, but unfortunately we were not allowed to travel further due to security reasons.

Housing: Excellent. I had booked a single ensuite and got a fabulous studio with my own kitchen. I could cook and shower at leisure. Wifi was very good, when the electricity cuts did not stop the city from running. Washing machine on site. Gardens a pleasure to seat. Very safe.

What I did not like: The Americans sending drones to Yemen. Because of them our excursions were cancelled.

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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
14 Jul 2013 - 22 Aug 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"Dreams of Yemen"

Ashleen Williams

I had an absolutely wonderful time while studying at YCMES. It was a perfect chance to experience the culture and learn the language. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who wants to gain conversational fluency.

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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
1 Jun 2013 - 11 Jul 2013
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
housing

Housing

YCMES offers the following housing types:
student-residence

Student residence (off-campus) - 2-person shared room - No meals

NZ$ 72
weekly
Location: In the city center of Sana'a
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, computers, wireless internet, free internet, carpet, 24/7 supervision, and garden
Distance to school: 5 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 72
Student housing options range from comfortable single rooms to large shared rooms, including a few suites and rooms equipped with private bathrooms. Dormitories contain public areas for socializing and studying, fully-equipped modern kitchens, shared laundry, in-room telephone extensions and wireless internet connection. For the general safety of the residents, guards emergency services are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At full capacity, upwards of 150 students can be accommodated comfortably in the housing units. One house is located on the edge of the Old City in the historic Goldseller's District of Sana'a (Bab al-Sabah), while the others are located on the same block as the Yemeni Parliament building near Tahrir Square (Maydan al-Tahrir) on 26th of September Street.
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 Sana'a 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 Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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