Program Reviews

I've taken 10 online lessons with Shahed over the past weeks and we've covered a lot of ground! I've studied Arabic on and off over many years and am keen to improve my speaking skills in particular. The flexibility of the online course meant it was easy to fit the lessons into my schedule, however busy, and every class has been a pleasure for my day.

Shahed is an excellent teacher. She is warm-hearted, patient and approaches every class with good humour and a sense of fun. It's great to have sessions tailored to your own level and pace, and I've found the exercises in the handbook really helpful at consolidating my knowledge. In particular, I've enjoyed learning more Palestinian expressions.

I only booked a few sessions to begin with, but I'd definitely like to continue. If you want to learn the Palestinian dialect but you aren't able to go to Palestine, the Excellence Center's online course is a really great alternative.

I have been taking online lessons for some time now, and they have had a genuinely positive impact on both my skills and my confidence. When I first started, I felt quite hesitant and unsure of my ability to study Arabic with my mentally labouress job and hectic work schedule. However, through consistent practice and the supportive structure of these lessons, I have seen a clear and encouraging improvement and in my overall comfort when using the language.

One of the standout aspects of this program is how well it is designed for distance learning. The online format is not only convenient but also highly effective, allowing me to participate from anywhere without sacrificing the quality of instruction. Each lesson is engaging and interactive, which helps maintain focus and motivation. The materials provided are clear, well-structured, and easy to follow, making it simple to review and reinforce what I have learned between sessions. This has made a big difference in my ability to retain new information and steadily build my skills over time.

Another major strength of this experience has been the flexibility offered by my teacher. Scheduling lessons is straightforward and accommodating, which has made it much easier to stay consistent despite other commitments. This flexibility has removed much of the pressure that can come with trying to fit learning into a busy routine. My teacher is also incredibly patient, supportive, and attentive to my individual pace, creating a comfortable learning environment where I feel confident asking questions and making mistakes.

What I particularly appreciate is the way the lessons go beyond just vocabulary and grammar. There is a strong emphasis on real-life communication and cultural context, which makes the learning experience feel meaningful and relevant. This approach has helped me not only understand the language but also connect more deeply with it. It has made each lesson feel purposeful and engaging rather than purely academic.

Overall, I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in learning Palestinian Arabic, whether you are just starting out or looking to improve your existing skills. The combination of a well-structured online format, flexible scheduling, and supportive teaching creates an environment where real progress feels achievable. For me, it has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience, and I look forward to continuing this journey.

I’ve taken several language courses in the past, but none come close to this Palestinian Arabic course. The structure, the pace, and the way the lessons are designed make a huge difference compared to anything I’ve tried before.

I’ve already completed 50 hours, and I’ve just started my next 50-hour package—which says a lot about how valuable and effective this course is. I can genuinely see my progress, especially in speaking and understanding real conversations.

A special thank you to my teacher, Shahed. She is an exceptional instructor—extremely patient, supportive, and incredibly skilled at teaching. She creates a comfortable environment where I feel confident speaking Arabic, even when I make mistakes. That has made all the difference for me.

If you’re serious about learning Palestinian Arabic, I couldn’t recommend this course more. 5 stars without hesitation.

I have been taking online Arabic lessons 8 months now. The classes have been great and I can really see my progress. I am learning to read, write and speak Arabic. My teacher, Lana, is amazing. She is patient with me and enthusiastic in her work. It makes all the difference to have a live person there to guide you and correct you in real time, and also to have someone to practice with. I’ve made tremendous progress compared to my 6-8 months of Duolingo prior to these lessons. I look forward to continuing this journey. I highly recommend this course for new Arabic speakers, as well as, people who speak Arabic already but maybe want to strengthen their vocabulary or fluency. I have Arabic speaking friends who want to start taking lessons to improve their own skills because of the progress they see I have made. I have referred them here. Do yourself a favor and start now!

I am currently enrolled in online Arabic lessons with Lana from the Excellence Center. Let me give you a little bit of background on myself for reference. I was born and raised in the United States and I have never attempted to learn another language. My confidence was not very high when I decided to start these classes because I thought it would be too hard.

Let me tell you, I wish I would have started the classes sooner. Lana is an amazing teacher and breaks down each lesson into easy to understand instructions. My Arab brothers at the masjid have been impressed with how far I have progressed. If you want to learn Arabic there is no better place than the Excellence Center. My confidence in learning the language is through the roof after a few months of lessons. Enroll in these classes with confidence knowing you will have a teacher that can teach anyone to speak, read, and write Arabic.

I’ve been doing online Palestinian Arabic classes for the past few months through the Excellence Centre and have been loving it! My teacher is great and lessons have been both fun and informative. The Centre runs everything smoothly and I’m very happy to be supporting a Palestinian run business. My Arabic has improved a lot since I started in both reading, writing and speaking. Classes are a mix of speaking and working through text. Highly recommend this for anyone that wants to learn MSA or dialect.

I spent two weeks at the Halle Excellent Centre teaching English and learning German and had the absolute best time! In 2024 I had studied German as a uni elective and was around A2 level, but after having only three lessons from Mauz, I had greater understanding and confidence in my language skills than I did during the whole uni semester! Mauz is a great teacher who is not only encouraging and fun, but pushes you to improve.

I also loved teaching English to both my online and in person students, although as I was only there for two weeks, I only had three. At first I was hesitant to teach English online, but after getting to know my students language level and personality, the best way to help improve their language skills is having good conversations and occasionally doing some exercises.

Overall, the centre was a super supportive and friendly environment. With a delicious group breakfast each morning made by Rafat or another volunteer, the vibes were always fabulous. I also got along really well with the other volunteers and some other members of the Halle community. Long lasting memories and friendships were made.

I spent 8 weeks at the Excellence Center in Halle, and it was a wonderful experience! I had some prior knowledge of the German language but had taken a year-long break before arriving in Halle. I studied German with Muaz, who was an excellent teacher and helped me finally grasp grammar concepts I hadn’t fully understood before. I definitely feel that my German improved during my time here.

I also thoroughly enjoyed working with all the students I was assigned to teach English. Whether online or in person, each student had different needs and levels, which made teaching both interesting and fun. I was quite stressed about the teaching aspect before starting the program, as I had little to no experience, but the environment is very relaxed and supportive. Everyone is willing to help whenever you need it.

Beyond the educational aspect, the people I met made this experience even more special. Rafat, Muaz, and Dušan created a lovely atmosphere at the center. They were always ready to help with anything I needed, even things outside the program, like opening a bank account or registering in town. They also organized weekly events where we could meet members of the community, and through these, I made some wonderful, long-lasting friendships. My only regret is that I couldn’t stay longer.

I volunteered with the Excellence Center for the whole month of March and had a wonderful experience. We started every day (Mon-Thrs) at the Center with a family breakfast around 1000. After that, I taught English to my students, one-on-one, either in-person or online. As a teacher, you are allowed to shape your teaching style and the learning environment as you see fit to help your student learn. For adult students I would bounce between classroom instruction and walking through the city reviewing vocabulary and practicing basic English grammar. One of my students was about eight years old, and they learned better with more engaging methods, such as board games and football.

Most days I also received German lessons from one of the Center’s teachers, along with one other student. We would split out time between the classroom and walking about the city, which was more engaging than the German lessons I had in school.

My daily schedule varied wildly, with some days being seven hours long, while others were just about two hours, depending on the number of students that day. Once your lessons are done, you have the freedom to explore the city on your own. I’d often have lunch in a local park, weather permitting, or go for a walk along the river.

On the weekends, I explored the local area, to include Leipzig and Dresden, taking in the history of this part of the country. This also gave me ample opportunity to practice my German in the real world.

Overall, the work was very rewarding. I’d highly recommend the Excellent Center to anyone who enjoys teaching.

I really enjoyed my 8 weeks at the Excellence Centre. It was filled with fun, beautiful culture and amazing people! Every morning, I was welcomed with a warm atmosphere through the communal breakfasts, thanks to Rafat, Muaz and Dušan. I was able to build on my German skills, thanks to my teacher Enrico, and also taught English (and basic German) to 4 students. The experience as a whole was intriguing, as I got to meet new volunteers and also immerse myself in both German and Arabic culture. I hope to be back again and definitely recommend!