The Arabic Language

Arabic, a member of the Semitic family of languages, is one of the official languages of the United Nations, and is spoken as a native language by millions of people throughout the world.  Classical Arabic, Al Fus:ha, is the sacred language of Islam, as Muslims believe that God conveyed the Quran to the prophet Muhammed in Arabic.  While spoken Arabic dialects vary widely from country to country, Syrian colloquial Arabic is one of the closest dialects to Classical Arabic and is understood in most Arab countries, making it an ideal for the student of Arabic.

Whether you want to learn Arabic for its literature, for business purposes, or to discover your religious or cultural roots, Nawafir will assist you in achieving your goals.

Damascus is one of the most important centers of Arabic language learning in the Middle East.  Unlike the surrounding Arab countries, where natives will often respond in fluent English to students who try to practice their Arabic skills, Syria offers students unparalleled opportunities to use their Arabic on a daily basis. Relatively untouched by westernization, Syria also offers students an authentic cultural experience of life in an Arab country. Damascus is perfect for the student budget: a good meal in a restaurant can cost as little as one dollar, and public transportation to language institutes as little as ten cents per ride.  At the same time, Damascus offers most of the amenities of modern life, including reliable access to the Internet at Internet cafes throughout the city.