Languages in Qatar

Arabic is the official language in Qatar, although English is commonly used as a second language. While you don't need Arabic to get by in Qatar, learning Arabic is a good way to assimilate in and understand Qatari culture, and will help you in making local friends and in local business dealings.

Language Schools in Doha

When selecting an ESL language school, you should consider the level of instruction you wish to receive, your availability (e.g. can you take a full-time or part-time course) and your budget. Many schools and universities offer certificate programs, or IELTS exam preparation programs, while others offer classes in conversational or Business English (providing you with a certificate of participation when you complete the class).

English as a Second Language schools and organizations that offer English classes in Doha include:

British Council

Offers: 30-hour English courses for adults (ages 18 and older) at 4 levels.
Fee: QR 2,200/course
Phone: +974 4425 1888
Email: general.enquiries@qa.britishcouncil.org
Website: http://www.britishcouncil.qa/en/about/contact

Stenden University Qatar Campus (Netherlands-based university)

Offers: General English classes, IELTS exam preparation, Business English courses, English conversation classes, and private English lessons.
Phone: +974 4488 8116
Email: info@stenden.edu.qa
Website: https://stenden.com/en/locations/qatar/

American School of Doha ESL Program

Offers: ESL classes for children ages kindergarten to Grade 8.
Phone: +974 4459 1500
Email: dwelch@asd.edu.qa
Website: http://www.asd.edu.qa/

US Embassy Qatar

Offers: The US Embassy in Qatar recruits US academics in the field of teaching ESL for short-term workshops in Doha. These workshops are held at various points throughout the year at schools and interested institutions in Doha.
Email: kirbyjj@state.gov
Website: http://qatar.usembassy.gov/elp.html

Educate Learning Center
Offers: English language test (TOEFL) preparation classes, general English courses, corporate English courses, English for business professional classes.
Website: http://www.educate.com.qa

You can also learn Arabic as a second language in Doha. Organizations that offer Arabic lessons, and Arabic language schools include:

Qatar University College of the Arts and Sciences

Offers: A year long course for non-native Arabic speakers, open to students at Qatar University.
Website: http://www.qu.edu.qa/artssciences/anns/about.php

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Translation and Interpretation Institute

Offers: Two levels of Arabic instruction, an intensive program and a 13-week semester course. Prospective students must take a placement exam to determine their level of Arabic before enrolling.
Fee schedule: http://tii.qa/language-center/arabic/fees
Website: http://www.fanar.gov.qa/TrainingCenter.aspx
Email: info@fanar.gov.qa
Phone: +974 4425 0175 (men) and +974 4425 0173 (women)

Maryam Ibanata Imraan Center

Offers: Arabic lessons for Muslim women and girls at four levels. Yearlong courses, held twice weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Fee: QR 500.
Email: markazmaryam@gmail.com
Phone: +974 4450 5301

Berlitz Language Center

Offers: Arabic classes in two levels, held twice a week during the evening for three months. Small classes (4 to 8 students).
Fee: QR 3,400
Intensive private classes available at QR 7,000
Website: http://berlitz-qatar.com

Qatar Center for the Presentation of Islam

Offers: Arabic and Qatar dialect lessons for non-Arab speakers, Classical Arabic lessons for non-Arab speakers, and Islamic Arabic lessons for non-Arab speakers. Classes are divided by gender.
Phone: +974 4441 1122
Website: http://www.islamweb.net.qa/

Cactus Language Training

Offers: individual and small group Arabic language courses, Arabic language and cultural training courses, general business Arabic courses, all on a full time or part time basis. Also offers individual courses in Dutch, English, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish.
Phone: +44 84 5130 4775
Website: http://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com/

French Language School in Doha

Institut Francais

Offers: group classes, workshops to prepare for DELT and TEF examinations, business French classes, and private French lessons to students of all ages
Website: http://institutfrancais-qatar.com/

German Language School in Doha

German Embassy

Offers: German language lessons for adults at the German School, Mamoura area of Doha. New courses start in January, April and October each year.
Phone: +974 6650 7960
Website: http://www.doha.diplo.de/Vertretung/doha/en/
Email: deutschunterricht.qatar@gmail.com

Goethe Institute

Offers: extensive, exam preparation, conversation, children's, teenager's, corporate and private courses in German.
Fees: QR 1,300 to QR 3,000
Website: http://www.goethe.de/ins/ae/abu/lrn/qtr/enindex.htm
Phone: +974 4458 2783
Email: info@slz-doha.qa

Private Language Lessons in Doha

Berlitz Language Center

Website: http://berlitz-qatar.com
The Berlitz Language Center offers private Arabic lessons for QR 7,000.

Institut Francais

Website: http://institutfrancais-qatar.com/

The Institut Francais in Doha offers private French lessons.

Goethe Institute

Offers: Private courses in German.
Fees: QR 1,300 to QR 3,000
Website: http://www.goethe.de/ins/ae/abu/lrn/qtr/enindex.htm
Phone: +974 4458 2783
Email: info@slz-doha.qa

Language Exchange in Doha

A language exchange partner is an excellent resource for practicing a new language with a native speaker. As an added bonus, language exchange partners can help you understand the culture of the area and inform you of local happenings. Questions about gift giving, festivals, nightlife, and greetings can be addressed without worry. In the best-case scenarios, an exchange partner is not only your ambassador, but a friend. You should note that in Qatari culture it may not be possible to find a language exchange partner of the opposite sex.

Find a tandem partner through EasyExpat's forums and meet-ups , or in the classified section for language exchange in Doha.

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