Arabic language courses are available for juniors, adults and seniors in places like Cairo.
Languages in Egypt
The official language spoken in Egypt is Arabic, although Egyptian Arabic has quite a few differences to the Modern Standard Arabic spoken in nations like Saudi Arabia.
Learning Egyptian Arabic
Some Westerners find Egyptian Arabic difficult to say initially as reproducing Arabic vowel sounds can require the use of throat muscles rarely employed in European languages. However, while it may seem like a daunting language to learn it can be done! It just requires patience and persistence.
If you plan on living and working in Egypt then learning the language will hugely improve your career prospects and allow you to get much more out of the country socially. A willingness to try learning the language of your host nation can also make a big difference to how the locals perceive you.
How rapidly you are able to learn Egyptian Arabic depends on how much time you’re able to put into the endeavour. If you want to speak fluently then constant practice and complete emersion in the language can really help.
Mingling with locals, participating in a language exchange, watching Egyptian television and practising with friends are all brilliant ways of using your spare time to absorb and learn. It’s also a good idea to speak your native language as little as possible, the more you have to rely on Egyptian Arabic to communicate the more quickly you’ll learn to speak it properly!
Constant practise is fantastic but some people find they can only learn languages with the support of formal instruction.
Many Egyptian universities, colleges and private/international language schools offer lessons (particularly in Cairo), but cost and time commitment can vary significantly so doing a bit of research can really pay off.
Private one-on-one classes are often the best way to learn quickly, but these can be quite pricey. Newspapers, public notice boards and word of mouth recommendation are all ways of finding a suitable teacher.
In the end it’s entirely a matter of preference whether you decide to learn at a steady pace over a long period of time or engage in intensive classes.
Studying in Egypt FAQ
Schools
Schools are usually conveniently situated in the heart of Cairo with air-conditioned classrooms, student library and study room, WIFI and offer excellent student facilities.
Courses
Choose between a wide variety of Arabic courses to suit a broad range of learner needs: From Beginner to Advanced levels. University “Study Abroad’ programmes Tailor-made courses for commercial, diplomatic and charitable entities are also available.
Adult Courses can be taken as standard or intensive classes and are available to all levels. They can be combined with specific activities or taken on their own. Some activities are provided for all courses and are optional. Extra excursions and activities can be arranged for an additional cost.
Accommodation
For the more independent traveller, accommodation can be arranged independently and the student can participate in lessons only. Perhaps you are combining your language course with a holiday and have your own accommodation arranged.
Teaching Staff
Teaching staff are usually Arabic language specialists, trained to Cambridge/RSA Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults (CELTA) standards.
Getting to Egypt
Many airports operate flights direct to Cairo. Schools usually have ‘Meet & Greet’ services available to all students on receipt of their flight details and extra fee.
Studying Arabic in Cairo
Cairo is one of the most popular locations to study in Egypt, and this is where most language schools are located. During your stay in Cairo schools can organize tours to locations such as the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Islamic and Coptic monuments, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, the Sinai Peninsula and, of course, the majestic River Nile river. You will have the opportunity to see some of the most incredible sites in the world. All tours include air-conditioned buses and guides.