Language Centre
Arabic Levantine Beginners 1 Online - semi-intensive course August 2026
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 4 August - 3 September 2026
- Attendance mode
- Part-time, live online session/blended learning
Course overview
This 5-week online evening course is aimed at complete beginners and is designed to enable learners to communicate in Levantine Arabic within a limited range of everyday situations.
Levantine Arabic is the dialect of Arabic spoken in the Levant region of the Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan).
This course is designed for complete beginners of Levantine Arabic and will teach them to apply the language within a limited range of everyday situations using the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will learn to express themselves at a basic level of communicative interaction. They will also be introduced to the essentials of the Arabic writing system and learn to read and write basic words and sentences. This course is delivered by the Language Centre.
Arabic Levantine Beginners 1 Semi-Intensive Online (44308) August 2026 timetable:
| Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 4 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 6 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 11 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 13 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 18 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 20 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 25 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 27 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 1 September | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 3 September | 7pm - 8:30pm |
Method
The course is taught in English and Arabic and includes an appropriate exposure to Arabic grammar and vocabulary, while developing the skills of comprehension in listening and reading, and the skills of expression in speaking and writing. The course places a greater focus on speaking for communicative purposes.
The course is delivered through a blended learning model: comprised of 15 hours of live, online, structured lessons with the teacher, plus approximately 5 hours of guided independent learning supported by complementary materials (a total of 20 hours of blended learning). The course is designed so that, over the 10‑week period, you should have the opportunity to achieve the stated objectives, depending on your engagement and progress.
Materials
Our course materials page shows you what you need to buy for this course. Course materials are not included in the course fee.
Fees
- £299
Please see our course fees for full information and discounts available.
Structure
Levantine Arabic Beginners 1
In this course you will:
- recognise the Arabic alphabet and its transliteration
- be comfortable with the pronunciation of the Arabic letters
- read words and short familiar sentences
- understand the difference between feminine and masculine forms
- use common greetings
- introduce yourself and exchange pleasantries
- use adjectives to describe family members and places
- count numbers up to 99 and tell the time
- exchange simple information like nationality and interests
- make polite requests and order beverages
- talk about your daily activities
- ask basic questions about professions and social status
- compare uses of Levantine to Modern Standard Arabic
- use possessive and personal pronouns effectively
The above is an indication of content that may be covered over the duration of the course but it could vary depending on the level and progress of students in the class..
Terms and conditions
Before applying, please be sure that you have read the SOAS Language Centre terms and conditions.
How to apply
For this Levantine Arabic Beginners 1 course, no previous knowledge is required.
Please note that places are first come first served. Enrolments are taken until the course is fully booked, or up to midnight 19 July, whichever is soonest.
Continuing your study
This semi-intensive Beginners 1 course is equivalent to the 10-week Levantine Arabic Beginners 1 level. Students who complete this course should be able to join Beginners 2 for our next term starting October 2026, or a future term at SOAS Language Centre.
