By choosing to take part in the Summer Program of Arabic with Engage in Germany on Halle (Saale), Germany in the summer, students can learn about the language and culture of the Arabic Diaspora. It is the perfect place to conduct a summer study abroad program in Arabic for students, and can even count as an intensive Arabic summer internship for recent graduates. The Arabic Immersion Program is not limited to students or young people, though! Applicants of all ages are welcomed from all around the world.
Engage in Germany is a unique place where the German and Arabic languages and cultures converge. Many refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers live in Halle, creating a blend of cultures demonstrating the utility of the Arabic language outside the Middle East and North Africa. Over the past 25 years, the Arabic language has become increasingly important to intercultural and international relations – especially in places like Germany.
From May to September
The Intensive Summer Arabic Immersion Program in Halle runs from May to late September, with start and end dates being up to the participant. Starting on the 1st day of each month (May, June, July, August, and September), there are three 4-week sessions, so if you desire, you can spend up to three months living and studying Arabic with us here at Engage in Germany.
Studying Arabic Abroad in Europe
Engage in Germany organization is an amazing and well-known destination for intensive Arabic courses for young people. This opportunity to study Arabic in Europe as a student and community member is a great way to immerse yourself in the Arabic language.
Our center offers courses in Levantine Arabic dialects, including Palestinian, Jordanian, Syrian, and Lebanese dialects, as well as Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
Engage in Germany not only provides the opportunity of an intensive summer Arabic program for the cultivation of personal skills but also for college/university credits when needed. In our accredited summer Arabic intensive courses, students can make exceptional progress in their language skills, preparing for life after college when these skills can be crucial in a competitive job market. Students will leave our program with a Certificate of Completion and the credits to count towards any required internship.
Why Study Arabic in Germany?
Germany is home to a large population of native Arabic speakers with over one million people using Arabic in their homes here in Germany. Furthermore, Germany is also the largest host to refugees in Europe, creating diverse communities of many languages across the country. The city of Halle in Saxony-Anhalt is home to thousands of refugees and migrants from the Middle East and North Africa and therefore has a large Arabic-speaking community.
For those reasons, this program is great if you are looking for an intensive Arabic language program that is immersive and lets you interact with native Arabic speakers daily. The experience is meant to be an immersive approach to intensive Arabic language courses without needing to visit the Middle East or North Africa.
A Summer of Intensive Arabic Courses and Community
Halle has an Arabic-speaking community of refugees and migrants that Engage in Germany has been supporting since 2018. Most refugees are from Syria and Palestine, but there are communities of people from many Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt.
Students who choose to study Arabic in Germany will have access to diverse representatives of the Arabic world. Not to mention, the diversity of the Arabic-speaking community in Halle means that students will have the opportunity to practice their Arabic regardless of their chosen dialect.
How Are Arabic Classes Conducted?
Classes are conducted in small groups. Students of a similar skill level will be grouped in groups of 2-5 people to learn as a team with the classes being intensive, immersive Arabic courses, just as described above.
This method allows students to work on group projects, go through the process of learning a new language as a team, and make new friends from around the world!
Language Proficiency Levels
We offer a full Arabic curriculum, (with books and all course materials included), at six different levels to accommodate students of all language experiences and proficiencies.
1. Starter Arabic Courses
This level is for those who do not have any prior knowledge of the Arabic language and would like to start with learning the alphabet. These courses will allow you to gain fundamental skills in reading and writing Arabic and aim to develop understanding and engagement in simple, day-to-day conversations.
2. Beginner Arabic Courses
The beginner Arabic courses are offered at two levels: Beginner I and Beginner II. These Arabic lessons are designed for participants who already have a basic knowledge of Arabic and would like to develop their speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills.
3. Intermediate Arabic Courses
The intermediate Arabic courses are also offered at two levels: Intermediate I and Intermediate II. Typically, these lessons provide you with the opportunity for Arabic conversations with native speakers to improve your conversational and colloquial skills. The courses will also focus on further improving your reading, writing, and listening abilities.
4. Advanced Arabic Courses
At this level, you will concentrate on refining and perfecting your speaking and writing skills by learning sophisticated and technical vocabulary that can be used in most topics and discussions.
A Wide Range of Arabic Dialects
Arabic is an incredibly diverse language with numerous dialects. Therefore, before choosing their desired Arabic course, we recommend students think about why they desire to learn Arabic, as different dialects will be beneficial for different purposes. For example, taking our Intensive Summer Palestinian Arabic course or Levantine Summer intensive program may be more beneficial for those wishing to travel and/or work in the Levantine region (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan).
In contrast, our Modern Standard Arabic Summer courses or the Intensive Classical Arabic courses would be more useful to those wishing to study formal Arabic texts, such as in literature, law, history, and international relations. Considering this, Engage in Germany’s Summer Arabic language courses cover a wide range of dialects, including:
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- Classical Arabic (Fusha)/اللغة الفصحى
- Palestinian Colloquial Arabic
- Colloquial Levantine Arabic (covering Palestinian, Jordanian, Syrian, and Lebanese Arabic)
- Ammiya Arabic/اللهجة العامية
If students are unsure as to which Arabic Immersion Program they should enroll in, feel free to reach out and contact us at Engage in Germany. We would be happy to help students find the Arabic course that is right for them!
Courses last anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, as the duration of the courses is up to the students enrolling. With 80 hours of Arabic language instruction per monthly session, you will study your desired dialect in class for four hours a day, five days a week.
Immersion Within an Arabic Host Family
In addition to having an excellent Arabic language experience, students will stay with an Arabic-speaking host family. This will lead to increased language exposure and proficiency inside and outside of the classroom. Engage in Germany will also provide the opportunity to participate in community outreach programs, including cookouts, football matches, nights on the town, workshops, and more. Participating in these activities is not mandatory for students, however, it is highly recommended for the best experience possible.
Staying with an Arabic-speaking host family is the best way to ensure students continue to learn outside of class. This creates a greater understanding of the host family culture while deepening the connection to the Arabic community in Halle. While it may seem daunting at first, the host families provide a stable and warm place to call home while you explore a new language, city, and culture.
It is important to note, however, that being hosted by a local Arabic-speaking family is only guaranteed for female students and is subject to availability for male students. Therefore, we encourage enrolling in your preferred program as soon as possible to secure your spot and host.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements for the Summer Program of Arabic
- Available to anyone between the ages of 18 – 75 (Exceptions made upon special request with the organization’s director)
- Available to all nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, and beliefs
- No prior knowledge of Arabic needed
- An upbeat and can-do attitude
- Interest in learning about other cultures
Why Should I Join the Summer Program of Arabic?
Here are a few reasons for joining the Summer Intensive Arabic Immersion Program in Halle, (Saale):
- Education from well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers with excellent educational backgrounds
- Diverse Arabic courses to choose from – such as Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine (Shami) dialects, Ammiya, Classical, and Palestinian Arabic – using up-to-date teaching techniques in an intensive learning environment
- Engagement in educational, social, and community activities
- Access to the Arabic community in Halle, as well as to Engage in Germany’s connections in the community
- Education on human rights situations and helping local Arab refugees
- Staying with an Arabic family provides ample opportunity to practice new language skills
- Access to the numerous Arab small businesses, shops, and cultural sights in the city
- Breakfast with other participants (5 times a week)
- Pre-departure support and support during your time in Germany
- (Optional) participation in Engage in Germany’s community outreach activities with the Arab community
- Opportunities to visit German historical sights and cultural centers, such as Leipzig, Weimar, Dresden, Frankfurt, and Berlin
- An opportunity to learn about the recent unique fusion of German and Arab cultures
- University credits offered
- A certificate upon completion
Summer Program of Arabic Overview:
| Program | Summer Intensive Arabic Immersion |
| Place of Program | Halle (Saale), Germany |
| Program Fees | Click Here |
| Age | at least 18 years old |
| Background in Arabic: | Starter and beginner: None required Intermediate: One year of previous study in Arabic Advanced: Two years of previous study in Arabic |
| Minimum Duration | One month – 80 Class Hours |
| Maximum Duration | 3 months – 240 Class Hours |
| Teaching Hours | 4 hours a day, 5 days a week |
| One Teaching Hour | 45 Minutes |
| Average Class Size | 2–5 Students |
| Class periods | Mornings (8:30 – 12:30) Afternoons (12:30 – 16:00) |
| Starting/Ending Dates | May– September |
| Application Deadline | 1st of April 2024 |
| Days off | Two days (Saturday and Sundays) |
| Educational Degree | Not required |
| University Credit | Available |
*Costs include study materials, booklet, and books, placement test, a tour of Halle, breakfast four days a week, accommodation with a host family or in a shared apartment, in-country and pre-departure support with logistics and travel, Arabic classes, and a certificate of completion. Registration fee: paid once at registration.
Classes Include:
- Class readings and discussions
- Book work
- Meetings with local Arab refugees and migrants
- Participation in community and cultural activities
- Daily homework
- Quizzes
- Full immersion in Arab-German culture
Reviews and Community Awards
Engage in Germany has been working with the Arabic-speaking community in Halle since 2018. During this time, we have been building a positive relationship and developing our lessons to be as effective as possible.
We continue to strive towards “excellence”. In 2021 we ranked in one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards from Go Overseas in the categories “best language school” and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.”
In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge Engage in Germany’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. Engage in Germany continues to rate highly as a travel organization across its selection of programs. Check out our many great reviews here:
- +830 Reviews (96.8%) on Gooverseas.com
- +170 Reviews (9.3/10) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Program Summary
Engage in Germany is a community that sits on the historic convergence of Arab culture in Germany. The Arabic language continues to gain relevance in today’s world, which is truly on display in Germany, and our organization offers a chance to experience the distinctive blend of Arab and German cultures in Halle (Saale). Through the time spent here, people end up becoming a part of something greater than any one of us.
Engage in Germany’s Summer Intensive and Non-Intensive Arabic courses, internships, and study abroad programs offer an exceptional opportunity to study Arabic in Germany. Students can choose which dialect and skill level to study, in any class size of 1-5 people, and for any amount of time from 1-13 weeks. Students will leave Engage in Germany with an understanding of Arab culture and language and a certificate of completion. Finally, students will leave as a member of our unique family, and with an experience you can truly gain nowhere else in the world.
Application Process
Do you want to participate in Intensive Arabic Language Courses, a Summer Arabic Study Abroad Program, an Arabic Language Summer Internship, or Non-Intensive Arabic courses? Then please write to us at Info@eceurope.org. We should respond to your initial inquiry within 1 – 3 business days. Do not hesitate to ask us any questions or concerns you may have.
Once you are ready to apply, write in the subject line of your email “Summer Arabic Immersion Program”. Upon writing back to you we will attach an application form to the email. Once you fill it out and return it to us, we will begin the onboarding process. We hope to hear from you soon!
Related Arabic Programs
Find Us Online
Does this sound interesting? Do you have any questions for us? Please do not hesitate to contact us at Info@eceurope.org or via WhatsApp at +49 176 3935 3950.