What is an immersive Arabic course?
An immersive Arabic course is a highly intensive Arabic course. Each day involves 6 hours of class time, five days a week, and between 2 – 3 hours of homework per day. We do not recommend students take our immersive course unless they are highly committed to receiving a lot of information quickly. Once you sign up for SIASP, we consider you understand what you have signed up for and are committed to studying very intensively for five weeks. If that does not sound manageable to you, it’s best you register for one of our intensive courses where you will be in class 3 hours a day with around 2 hours of homework per day.
If I sign up for SIASP, will I be able to stop halfway if it’s too much?
You may quit the course any time you like but you will not be eligible for a refund or a credit transfer. All students registered on SIASP will be required to sign a commitment declaration on the first day of the term because commitment to this course is very important. In addition, you will not receive a certificate of completion.
I am not a university student; do I qualify for SIASP?
Yes! The beauty of our summer program is that it is available to anyone. Just apply, pay for your place on the course and you’re in!
I am already a student at Saifi, am I eligible to apply for SIASP?
Yes! There are no restrictions on who can apply.
I am a complete beginner; do I need to know the Arabic alphabet?
It depends on which course you choose. The Beginner-Elementary course in Urban Arabic does not require you to have any prior knowledge of Arabic. Just sign up and we’ll take care of the rest. The Beginner-Elementary course in Formal Arabic does require students to already know how to read and write the Arabic alphabet.
What is the difference between Saifi’s intensive courses and SIASP?
The immersive summer program is designed to fast-track your Arabic enabling you to cover TWO levels in just 5 weeks (as opposed to the usual 10 weeks). Currently, we run this program once a year. In addition to 6 hours a day of Arabic tuition, the program runs a host of other activities. These include a weekly Lebanese film night, field trips, cultural activities like reading coffee grounds, calligraphy, and cooking classes, as well as talks by academics on aspects of Lebanese politics and society.
Do the fees include extra-curricular activities and field trips?
Yes. All the extracurricular activities and field trips are included in the fees.
Will I need to do an evaluation before being admitted to the program?
Students joining the Intermediate-Advanced Formal Arabic program will need to do an evaluation before being admitted into the program to ensure they are at the right level. Students joining the Beginner-Elementary Formal Arabic course need to be able to read and write the Arabic alphabet. Students joining the Beginner-Elementary Urban Arabic course do not need to complete an evaluation.
Are there scholarships available?
No, all course fees must be paid up-front by Friday, June 26, 2023, to ensure your place in the program. Please note after that date, refunds will not be given.
When do I have to pay to ensure my place on the course?
Once you have been accepted onto the course, you must pay the course fees as soon as possible to guarantee your place. The final payment of all tuition fees is due Friday, June 26, 2023. If you do not pay by that date, your place may be assigned to someone else.
Are Saifi’s regular classes still running during the summer program?
Please check in advance the offered classes online or you can send an email to info@saifiarabic.com
How many people will there be in each class?
There will be a maximum of 10 participants in each class.
I already work in Beirut; can I attend the program part-time? I want to work at the same time as attending this program, is this possible?
No, this course is full-time. We will not accept part-time students. This program is extremely intensive. Not only does it involve 6 hours of tuition five days a week, but students are also expected to complete 2 – 3 hours of homework per day (including weekends). We do not recommend students try to work at the same time if they want to complete the course successfully. Furthermore, students that do not attend all the classes without a medical reason may not be eligible to graduate from the course with a certificate.
Do you offer university credit for this course?
Receiving university credit for completed classes at Saifi is not uncommon, however, each university has different requirements and demands. Saifi’s class levels (Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, etc.) are based on the American (ACTFL) and European (CEFR) language proficiency criteria, to make it as easy as possible for students to obtain credits. If you would like to receive credit for your language studies, we recommend printing out our course description and syllabus and discussing this with the language department at your university.
Will I receive a transcript/accreditation?
All students successfully completing the course are entitled to a certificate for each level they complete. Certificates of completion indicate the proficiency level, grade, number of hours, and date of course completion. Saifi Institute provides information on each language level that corresponds to CEFR and ACTFL proficiency levels. We can also provide each student with a letter of recommendation that gives more detail on their performance in class, their grades, and their commitment to learning Arabic during their time with Saifi.
When should I apply for SIASP?
As soon as possible. Places are limited and to ensure you have a place, we advise early application and payment.
Do you offer accommodation?
No, the program does not offer accommodation. However next door to the school is a hostel offering private or shared rooms. We advise you to book early as the summer months get very crowded. Check www.hamragardens.com for full information.
What is the cost of living in Beirut?
Living costs really depend on your lifestyle. Renting a room in a shared apartment is around $400+ per month. Living costs are around $500+ per month depending on where you eat and drink. In general, food and travel costs can be very low if you use shared taxis and buses and eat takeaway or cook your own. Restaurants and bars do tend to be pricey. Nightclubs are the most expensive.
Will I need a visa?
Many nationalities can obtain a free one-month tourist visa on arrival at Beirut international airport which is valid for 3 months (and does not require renewal). It is essential that you check Lebanon’s visa requirements before traveling. Please see the General Security website for more details on this.
Why do I need to pay for health insurance?
Lebanon does not currently have a free healthcare system and Saifi Institute cannot be responsible for your health costs while you are in Lebanon. On arrival at the institute, you will need to show evidence of a health insurance policy that covers you for the entire duration of the program.
Does Saifi have a health insurance program I can purchase?
No, you must organize your health insurance with a provider in your home country. Please remember to bring evidence of your policy with you when you attend the course. Students cannot commence the program without it.
How can we change the dollar to Lebanese currency?
Next to the school, there is a trustworthy place for changing money on a daily rate.