Language Immersion Courses in Egypt

Arabic is the official language of Egypt under Article 2 of the constitution, and Cairo lets students learn it where it is spoken every day. Language schools in Egypt are mostly private institutes that teach Arabic to non-native speakers, from complete beginners to advanced students, often together with courses in Quran recitation. Some also teach English and train language teachers.

All three language schools listed on SpainExchange in Egypt are in the Cairo area: the Qortoba Institute for Arabic Studies in Nasr City, International House Cairo (IH Cairo) in Dokki, Giza, and the Drayah Language Center, which combines Arabic with contemporary Egyptian culture. IH Cairo is part of the International House World Organisation and is also an authorised Cambridge Assessment English centre and an IELTS testing centre.

Which Arabic to learn

Schools in Egypt usually separate two kinds of Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA, fusha) is the written language of books, newspapers and formal speech across the Arab world. Egyptian colloquial Arabic (ammiya) is what people speak in the street, in shops and in Egyptian films and television. The Qortoba Institute, for example, offers Modern Standard, conversation and colloquial Arabic programmes, and teaches Arabic and the Quran both online and on-site. Many students combine the two: MSA for reading and writing, colloquial Arabic for daily life in Cairo.

How the courses work

Arabic courses at private language schools do not lead to a university degree: each school uses its own level system and issues its own certificate. A placement test before the course is normal. At the Qortoba Institute, students take an evaluation test before enrolling, the institute works with 12 Arabic levels, and it states that each level normally takes 40 to 60 hours. Lessons are taught in Arabic, not through an intermediate language.

Course formats in Cairo include:

• intensive summer programmes of three to four weeks
• part-time conversation and listening courses
• private one-to-one lessons with flexible start dates
• long programmes of several months for students who stay a semester or a year
• Quran recitation and tajweed alongside Arabic

The Qortoba summer programmes, for example, run in July and August 2026, with 5 hours of study a day, 5 days a week (80 hours in the July course). A typical day has 3 hours of Arabic and 1 hour of tajweed and memorisation, and Friday and Saturday are off.

Admission and visas

Private language schools do not ask for previous qualifications. Students register directly with the school, take the placement test and usually pay a deposit to confirm their place.

According to Egypt's official e-Visa portal, a foreign citizen generally must first obtain an e-Visa to enter Egypt. Nationals of many countries can apply online, including Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Chile. A single-entry tourism visa costs US$30 and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date. The portal describes tourism visas only; students planning a longer course should ask the Egyptian embassy or consulate, and the school, which visa or residence permit applies to their stay.

Costs

Prices are set by each school and are often quoted in US dollars or pounds sterling. Examples from the Qortoba Institute's own pages:

• July 2026 intensive programme, classes only: GBP 299 (USD 404)
• conversation and listening programme, 24 hours a month: USD 60 per month
• private lessons: GBP 5 (USD 6) per hour
• 7-month programme with 260 hours of group study and private lessons: GBP 955 (USD 1,287)
• shared room for a single student: from GBP 149 (USD 200) per month, utilities included

The institute also notes that landlords in Egypt usually ask for one month's rent as a deposit, and that rents for stays of less than 3 months are often 15% to 20% higher. Flights, entrance tickets and the visa are extra.

How to choose a school

• Variety of Arabic: Modern Standard, Egyptian colloquial or a combination
• Intensity: a few hours a week, or 25 hours a week in an intensive course
• Group classes or private lessons, and the size of the groups
• Duration and start dates: summer programmes, or courses that run all year
• Accommodation: help with flats or shared rooms near the school
• Other aims: Quran studies, English courses or teacher training
• Location within Greater Cairo: Nasr City and Dokki are far apart, so check travel times

Frequently asked questions

Should I learn Modern Standard Arabic or Egyptian Arabic in Cairo?

Modern Standard Arabic is used for reading, writing and formal speech in all Arab countries, while Egyptian colloquial Arabic is the everyday spoken language in Egypt. Many schools in Cairo teach both, and students often combine them.

How long does it take to complete one level of Arabic?

It depends on the school. The Qortoba Institute states that each of its levels normally takes 40 to 60 hours, depending on the student's starting level.

Do I need a visa to study Arabic in Egypt?

Most foreign citizens need a visa to enter Egypt, and many nationalities can apply for an e-Visa online; a single-entry tourism visa costs US$30. For longer courses, check with the Egyptian embassy or consulate which visa or residence permit applies.

How much does a month of Arabic classes in Cairo cost?

Prices vary by school and format. At the Qortoba Institute, for example, a part-time conversation course costs USD 60 per month and the July 2026 intensive programme costs GBP 299 without accommodation.