Levantine Arabic for University Students
Levantine Arabic
for Academics
In Amman, Jordan.
Built for university students and researchers, our academic Levantine Arabic programs combine rigorous classroom instruction with fieldwork and cultural immersion in Amman โ credit-bearing options available.
Academic Programs
Academic Programs, Every Format
Now accepting applications for the 2026/2027 academic year. Our programs integrate rigorous, credit-bearing language instruction with fieldwork, cultural immersion, and community engagement tailored to university students.
Book Your Program โ
Intensive Arabic for Students
Built for university students pursuing Arabic, Middle Eastern Studies, or related fields, our on-site intensive programs develop practical fluency in Levantine (Ammiyya) Arabic through real-life practice, cultural integration, and expert-led instruction in Amman. Credit-bearing and research-friendly, they pair structured study with authentic cultural engagement.
Explore Coursesโ
Online Levantine Courses
Super-intensive, intensive, and non-intensive online Levantine (Shami / Ammiya ุงููุบุฉ ุงูุนุงู ูุฉ) courses spanning Palestinian, Jordanian, Syrian, and Lebanese dialects โ ideal for students balancing coursework or research. Designed to accelerate proficiency and connect you with the living culture of the Levant from anywhere.
View Online Optionsโ
Volunteer & Fieldwork Programs
Our volunteer programs let university students and recent graduates immerse themselves in the culture, history, and daily life of the Levant while contributing to local communities. Engage in meaningful projects across education, community development, the arts, and refugee support โ a powerful complement to academic study and fieldwork.
Learn About VolunteeringโAcademic Course Overview
Find Your Course
From Jordanian colloquial to Modern Standard Arabic, from regular to super-intensive โ discover the program that fits your academic calendar, research goals, and passion for the Levant.
Max 5 students per class
Start any week, 1โ13 weeks
Award-winning since 2011
Students from 30+ countries
What We Offer
Everything in One Place
Browse our featured programs, explore eight Arabic dialects, and compare study formats โ all in one comprehensive overview.
Our Method
Arabic as Living Heritage
The Shami methodology does not treat Arabic as a foreign language to be decoded. It approaches it as a cultural heritage to be embraced โ with the warmth, curiosity, and rigor that academic study requires, and deep respect for the people who speak it every day.
Listen First
We begin where language begins โ with sound. Before grammar, before vocabulary, you learn to hear the music of Shami Arabic: its rhythms, its warmth, and its cadence โ the same living dialect you will encounter in fieldwork, interviews, and daily life across the Levant.
Speak in Context
Every phrase is rooted in a real-world scenario โ interviewing a host family in Amman, navigating a university campus, or debating over morning coffee. Language flourishes in the contexts your research and studies demand.
Build Through Culture
Grammar emerges naturally from proverbs, folk songs, media, and daily rituals. We never teach rules in isolation โ we let the culture illuminate the language, supporting both classroom credit and independent research.
Features
The Complete Arabic Experience for Students
Founded in 2011, the Shami Arabic Institute in Amman offers intensive Levantine and Jordanian Arabic courses designed for university students and researchers. Combine on-site or online study with volunteer, internship, and community programs that enrich your coursework, thesis fieldwork, and regional understanding โ while contributing to meaningful educational and social initiatives across Jordan.
Since our founding, we have welcomed university students and graduates from more than 30 countries who come to live, research, and learn among Levantine communities. We support academic credit transfer, provide dedicated mentorship, and have been honored as the Best Arabic Language School and Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities for 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
+900
reviews on GoOverseas
96.8% satisfaction
+190
reviews on GoAbroad
93% satisfaction
- Diverse course formats: super-intensive (30 hrs/week), intensive (20 hrs/week), and regular (10โ15 hrs/week)
- Instruction from highly qualified, attentive native Levantine educators with advanced degrees in linguistics
- Small class sizes โ maximum 5 students per group, ensuring personalized attention
- Guaranteed availability year-round: spring, summer, autumn, and winter โ commence any week
- Programs ranging from 1 to 13 weeks with fully flexible start and end dates
- Certificate of completion awarded upon finishing your chosen program
- Daily cultural engagement: visits to local communities, markets, and historical sites
- Online and in-person options to accommodate every lifestyle and location
- One-on-one private lessons available for fully personalized instruction
- Option to combine Arabic study with volunteer or internship programs
Volunteering Programs
Volunteer Programs
in Jordan 2026/2027
Applications are now open for our 2026/2027 Volunteer Programs in Jordan. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while immersing yourself in the rich culture, history, and daily life of Amman. These programs welcome individuals from all backgrounds โ including students, graduates, professionals, and retirees โ who are eager to contribute to education, community development, the arts, and refugee support. Whether you wish to teach English, work with children, lead creative projects, or support refugee initiatives, there is a program designed to align with your interests, skills, and availability.
Teach Arabic & Community Outreach
1โ13 WeeksOpen to native and non-native speakers alike. Teach Arabic language and culture to children, youth, and adults in local communities while deepening your own Levantine Arabic proficiency through daily immersion.
Refugee Support Program
2โ13 WeeksWork alongside local NGOs to support displaced families through education, arts programs, and community development. Gain profound insight into the human dimension of the Levantine experience.
Arts, Music & Culture Program
1โ13 WeeksContribute to arts and music initiatives in local communities. Lead creative projects, workshops, and cultural exchange programs while forging lasting connections with local artists and artisans.
Women's Education Initiative
2โ13 WeeksSupport women's educational and professional development programs. This initiative empowers local women through literacy, vocational training, and intercultural dialogue.
Teaching English in Jordan
1โ13 WeeksTeaching English in Jordan offers a deeply rewarding experience for those who wish to engage with Jordanian youth, children, women, refugees, and community members in Amman. Volunteers teach English to Jordanian students at the Excellence Center in Jordan, local community development centers, Jordanian schools, government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and refugee support centers.
By joining our volunteer programs, you embark on a transformative journey that combines service, learning, and cultural immersion โ creating a lasting impact on both participants and the communities they serve.
Apply to VolunteerWho This Is For
Built for University Students
Drawn to the Levant
University Students & Researchers
Arabic, Middle Eastern Studies, political science, and thesis fieldwork
Working Professionals
Diplomats, journalists, NGO and humanitarian affairs professionals
Travelers & Explorers
Those seeking authentic connection with Levantine culture
Volunteers & Social Workers
Individuals engaged in community or refugee support initiatives
Teachers & Educators
Native and non-native English speakers seeking to teach abroad
Retirees & Lifelong Learners
Individuals of all ages with a genuine passion for Arabic language and culture
Your Guides
Meet the Teachers
Samer Ayman
Lead Arabic Instructor & Program Manager
Amman, Jordan
Samer Ayman is the Manager of the Shami Arabic Institute in Jordan, bringing over 12 years of experience teaching Arabic to non-native speakers. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Arabic and has guided students from around the world in improving their language proficiency while gaining a deeper understanding of Jordanian and Levantine culture. Beyond the classroom, Samer has collaborated with language centers, embassies, consulates, and NGOs across Jordan, and is deeply committed to creating authentic cultural exchange experiences through language learning, community immersion, and international engagement.
Testimonials
What Our Students Say
I spent two weeks in the volunteer program and it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. The teachers don't just teach you grammar โ they invite you into the language, into the culture, into their world. My Shami Arabic improved more in two weeks than in a year of self-study.
Sarah Santicola
What sets this institute apart is the genuine warmth of the instructors. Classes were small โ just four of us โ which meant I got real feedback every single day. The weekly cultural visits to the old city and local markets were worth the tuition alone.
Elinor Finch
As a professional working in humanitarian aid, being able to communicate in Shami Arabic changed everything. The conversations I can now have with the communities I serve are deeper, more human. The course structure is thoughtful, the teachers are exceptional.
desirae krzeczkowski
I came as a complete beginner and left able to hold real conversations. The methodology of learning through culture โ through proverbs, songs, and stories โ made it stick in a way that traditional classes never had. Honestly life-changing.
Eric Kasper
Transparent Pricing
Classes & Fees
All programs are offered year-round for 1 to 13 weeks. Prices shown in US Dollars โ toggle above to switch.
Private one-on-one instruction with a native-speaking teacher
10 Hours ยท 10 hours
$18/hr per hour
$183
130 JOD
15 Hours ยท 15 hours
$17/hr per hour
$254
180 JOD
20 Hours ยท 20 hours
$14/hr per hour
$282
200 JOD
30 Hours ยท 30 hours
$14/hr per hour
$408
290 JOD
* Prices shown in USD ($). Toggle to switch currency.
Every package includes
- Native-speaking instructors
- Optional accommodation available
- Daily traditional breakfast (5ร/week)
- Weekly group excursions in Amman
- Certificate upon completion
- Pre-departure & post-arrival support
Not sure which program is right for you? Contact us for a free consultation.
info@learnshami.app โLife at Shami
Beyond the Classroom Experience
Interactive teaching session
Volunteer instructor with students
Smart board Arabic lesson
Writing Arabic on the board
Group English lesson with students
Writing Arabic calligraphy โ ุฃููุงู ูุณููุงู
Student practicing Arabic script
Volunteer working with local children
Craft activity with local kids
Lunch under the vines
Outdoor lunch in Amman
Levantine street food โ kunafa!
Traditional Jordanian dinner
Sharing a meal together
Enjoying Jordanian hospitality
Group trek through the canyons
Hiking in northern Jordan
Nature trail with students
Canyon adventure in Jordan
Group photo at the wadi
Dead Sea overlook
Wadi canyon group photo
Forest hike with the group
Students at the eco-hike
Common Inquiries
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about studying and volunteering with the Shami Arabic Institute in Amman, Jordan.
Still have questions?
Contact Us
Applications Open for 2026/2027
Your Academic Journey
Begins with a Single Word
Programs run year-round for 1 to 13 weeks โ credit-bearing options available. Combine intensive Levantine Arabic study with volunteer and internship placements that strengthen your research and rรฉsumรฉ. Students from 30+ countries have chosen us; we invite you to join them.
Recognized as the Best Arabic Language School Abroad for 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024.