Please email arabic@xand.net if you would like to update the information on this list.
The information on this page was updated on 21-February-1999. As with all information not received directly from the institution in question, this information may be outdated or inaccurate. CALL the numbers below for up to date information and please do your part in helping to maintain this page by emailing me corrections.
None of these organizations can facilitate residence cards for attendees
of their courses in Syrian Colloquial at this time. None of these organizations
provide assistance with housing, though some keep lists of available apartments.
AMIDEAST
(America-Mideast Education & Training Services, Inc.)
PO Box 2313
Damascus, Syria
telephone: +963 11 3332804
Schedule: Beginner January 16th to March 20th, Saturday and Tuesday. Intermediate January 18th to March 22nd, Monday and Tuesday. Advanced January 17th to March 21st Sunday and Wednesday. Courses meet from 2 to 4 PM.
Course details: Cost is SP 6000, or about US$120. Reports are good regarding course quality.
Getting there: AMIDEAST is located on Wahab Bin Saad Street off of Abu Romaneh, not far from the Saudi Embassy.
Instituto Cervantes
(the Spanish Cultural Centre)
telephone: +963 11 3737061
Schedule: A new course will begin at the end of March or beginning of April. Meets 2 days per week for 2 hours. Duration is 2 to 3 months.
Course details: This course costs about SP 2500. Quality of instruction is reported to be mid-level. If there are not enough beginners and intermediates, these may be combined to form one class.
Getting there: The Instituto Cervantes is located on Nazem Pasha street
fairly high up in the Mouhajreen. One possible way is to go to the office
of Foreign Affairs (where you can get permits to visit Quneitra, and where
they stamp foreign documents) at Jabal St and Nazem Pacha and then walk
down Nazem Pasha half a block.
Centre Culturelle Française
(the French Cultural Centre)
telephone: +963 11 2316181
Schedule: the next session of Syrian Colloquial will be offered at the end of March or beginning of April, dates have not yet been announced. Meets 2 days per week for 2 hours. Duration is about 3 months.
Course details: Cost is SP 4000, or about US$80. Reports on quality of instruction have been good. If there are not enough beginners and intermediates, these may be combined to form one class.
Getting there: The CCF is behind the Petra Hotel near the Bridge of Victoria and Bahsa. Begin at the Petra Hotel, walk towards the bridge of the President and turn right on the first large street. Walk up this street about 60 meters, you will pass a parking lot on your right. The next right is a narrow street between two hotels which ends at a military guard house. The CCF is at the end of this street on the left, look for the large plate glass windows opening on to the CCF's art gallery.
British Council
telephone: +963 11 3338436
fax: +963 11 3321467
Schedule: A new course will form at the beginning of March. It meets 2 days per week for 2 hours. Duration of the course is 2 months.
Course details: Cost is US$180. No reports on quality of instruction.
Miscellaneous: The British Council has also begun offering a certificate in teaching English as a Foreign Language which may be of interest to those who wish to support themselves by teaching.
Getting there: The British Council is at the intersection of Abu
Romaneh street and Rawda circle.
Go to Arabic in Syria or the main Arabic page.