Ammiyya (Levantine Dialect)

Even the most experienced Arabic students will notice something in their first cab ride, or grocery store transaction in Amman: the locals don’t typically use the Fusha. In other words, having a background in the local dialect is one of the best ways for students to maximize their daily interaction and communication whether travelling, studying or working abroad.

This course is crafted to help students master local, everyday language usage, so that they feel better integrated into their regional surroundings, living and working among native Arab speakers in any setting. Ammiyya is a recognized as a necessary facet of any student’s progression towards that coveted, native-like language proficiency.

The Course is Comprised of Five Levels

The first level  focuses on speaking practice while introducing students to commonly-used vocabulary, expressions and structures found in Jordanian Ammiyya or Colloquial Arabic. It includes expressing and asking about personal information, navigating daily life, getting around town, shopping, dining out, and customary social greetings.

The second and third levels focuses on speaking practice while building a student’s foundation in the commonly-used vocabulary, expressions and structures found in Jordanian Ammiyya or Colloquial Arabic. Classroom activities will engage students in practical application through increasingly complex role playing and dialogue to reinforce concepts and use of more varied, nuanced structures. It includes topics central to daily life whether you are expressing or exchanging information related to work, study or recreation, reserving lodging and transportation, or giving personal opinions on common topics. This will help you: -

• Feel more at ease when interacting with local, native Arabic speakers whilst helping you understand immediate Ammiyya usage common on billboards, cartoons, radio, internet and TV and appreciate many interesting facets of Arabic culture.

The fourth and fifth levels build on a student’s solid foundation in Jordanian Ammiyya or Colloquial Arabic and aims to take them to higher levels of expression and understanding. Converse and interact with local, native Arabic speakers with greater confidence based on a solid proficiency in colloquial Arabic, Engage Ammiyya-based media and advertising (print, online, radio, TV) with comfort and good understanding and Express advanced-level key colloquial vocabulary, and structures in a variety of real-life situations.

• This will compliment one’s studies in Modern Standard Arabic by teaching how to frame structured arguments mixing between Ammiyya and MSA to support opinions, construct hypotheses, and discuss matters of particular interest on specialized topics.

The Academic Director of Arabic Studies at Qasid advises, “When Ammiyya is effectively blended with one’s Fusha or Modern Standard Arabic training, there is a real depth and a higher level of Ammiyya proficiency, hence complimenting each other."

Included are books and material for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

Registration Process:

• Email admissions@qasid.com for registration

2025 Spring Term

When: The week of March 16 to the week of June 3 (note: your classes may not start on precisely March 16)

1.5 class hours per session, two times a week.

30 class hours in total

Where: In person at Qasid Arabic Institute

2025 Summer Term

When: The week of June 16 to the week of August 14 (note: your classes may not start on precisely June 16)

1.5 class hours per session, two times a week.

30 class hours in total

Where: In person at Qasid Arabic Institute 

2025 Fall Term

When: The week of September 3 to the week of December 4 (note: your classes may not start on precisely September 3)

1.5 class hours per session, two times a week.

30 class hours in total

Where: In person at Qasid Arabic Institute 

2025/2026 Winter Term

When: The week of December 29, 2025 to the week of March 10, 2026 (note: your classes may not start on precisely December 29)

1.5 class hours per session, two times a week.

30 class hours in total

Where: In person at Qasid Arabic Institute