Q12: How much does it cost to buy a mobile (Cellular) phone? How much does it cost to make a call to a mobile phone number from any store or a public place?
- A12: Regarding mobile lines, they widely differ in costs. However, you can find a line for less than $ 2 USD. Mobile calls range from 7 cents to 18 cents per minute, the rate being determined by the operators or owners of the store.
Q11: Are Internet services available in Egypt?
- A11: Yes, With your ground line, you can get a ADSL for as low as 95 EGP a month. There are also Internet Cafes throughout Cairo whose prices are about 2-4 EGP per hour. You can bu USB internet too.
Q10: Is there any hospitals near Al-Diwan?
- A10: Of course yes! Nasr City, where Al-Diwan is located, is one of the Cairo’s most active areas. Nasr City has everything you need at anytime of the day or night, including hospitals, and health services.
Q9: What is the standard of health care in Egypt, and what are the prices of medicine?
- A9: Hospital care differs in Egypt. There are American branches of major hospitals here, as well as public emergency clinics. Private clinics are spread throughout Egypt’s metropolis, and medicine is extremely affordable.
Q8: What are the prices for meals in Egypt?
- A8: Prices vary based on whether you prepare your own meals or if you eat out. If you will be cooking your own meals, food expenses run less than 50 EGP a day. If you will be purchasing cooked food, the price varies depending on the restaurant you go to and can be anywhere from 10 EGP to 100 EGP a meal. There is a wide variety of restaurants around Al-Diwan that students can go to.
Q7: How long does it take to retain a flat (apartment) through your assistance?
- A7: It takes around 48 hours during the week, except for Fridays and National Holidays/Celebrations.
Q6: Can you make an apartment (i.e.: flat) reservation for me ahead of time, so I can immediately move in upon my arrival in Egypt?
- A6: This is not possible unless you have studied at Al Diwan Center before. Our normal procedure is to receive students at the airport, accompany them to a hotel, at which point, they accompany a rental agent and choose an apartment at their own discretion.
Q5: Is it possible to room with someone so that we can share the rental expense?
- A5: Yes, our students frequently decide to room together. We help our students get acquainted with each other, so so their time here can be the most optimal.
Q4: What are the rental prices for furnished apartments near Al Diwan?
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- A4: Rent varies with respect to the number of bedrooms, the value of the furniture, and the price that the owner feels they can get for the apartment. Usually, rent near the center ranges from 2500 LE to 3500 EGP for 2 bedrooms, 3500 EGP to 6000 EGP for 3 bedrooms, and 5000 EGP to 8000 EGP or more for 4 bedrooms. real-state agents charge the equivalent of ½ month’s rent for long period rent. You must pay a first month’s rent in advance and a security deposit (usually equivalent to one-month of rent). The security deposit is refunded when you move out minus any property damages, if any. If you leave the apartment before the end of the contract, you will most likely lose the security deposit. However, keep in mind that each landlord and contract is different, so make sure to read the contract carefully and ask all questions before signing the lease (contract).
NOTE: In the winter, the rent is cheaper than in the summer.
Q3: How will I live among Egyptians without knowing (‘Amiyyah)? Should I learn it too?
- A3: Not necessarily. Everyone in the street understands Fus’ha but does not speak it. Shops and service places in the Al-Diwan area are used to Al Diwan international students; besides, students at Al Diwan help each other in getting what they need.
Q2: If Egyptians speak ‘Amiyyah in their everyday interactions, what will be the benefit in learning Fus’ha in Egypt?
- A2: Among the benefits of studying Arabic in Egypt is that you will be afforded the opportunity to attend classes daily for more than 5 hours in the Center, thereby speaking and listening to Fus’ha for an extended period of time daily. Moreover, the Center provides multimedia files to use at your convenience. You will also undoubtedly befriend students who do not know your mother tongue and whose only linguistic medium is Fus’ha.
Q1: What language do Egyptians speak?
- A1: Egyptians speak a colloquial dialect (‘Amiyyah) derived from Modern Standard Arabic (Fus’ha). Nevertheless Fus’ha is used constantly in print, broadcast, on television, in the mosques, and in all formal writing.
Q13: Do you have a “Guest Family” system, where my family and I can be hosted during the duration of my stay?
- A13: Unfortunately, no. Egypt is a conservative, Eastern society, which does not readily accept long-term guests to live in their home.
Q12: Do you have a residence system where an Egyptian family can host my children and I will pay for their accommodations, room, and board during the study period?
- A12: At the moment, no we do not.
Q11: Can you arrange a Tajweed (Qur’anic Recitation) class for me too? and who is teaching?
- A11: Yes, we can Insha Allah. However, you will need to let us know two weeks in advance of your arrival, giving us ample time to hire a special teacher of you. Tajweed is taught by professional teachers of Quranic Recitation. There are female teachers for female students.
Q10: What method of instruction does the Center utilize in its instruction?
- A10: We mix between many teaching methods. our method is based on using the target language in classroom instruction.
Q9: How does the student become proficient in the Arabic language?
- A9: To attain proficiency in the Arabic language, like any other language, requires practice and diligence on the part of the student. Accordingly, one must read books, selections from Arabic literature, magazines, all the while engaging with Arabic speakers who are proficient in the classical Arabic language.
Q8: Which is better: The General Arabic or Arabic Conversation Program?
- A8: Our general program sets aside a portion of class time for conversation and group dialogue, but we encourage conversational sessions after Level 3, Level 6, and Level 9. However, if the student is well grounded in the principles of grammar and possesses a sound vocabulary, we advise that they enroll in conversational sessions only. They will be provided with a review of the principles of grammar.
Q15: Tuition fees: are they changing?
- A15: Tuition fees published on Al Diwan website are the exact fees you will be required to pay when you arrive at AL Diwan campus. Any changes will be declared at least a month ahead of the effective date. During your study at Al Diwan, if there are any plans to raise tuition, you will be notified a month ahead. Mostly, tuition increases do not go beyond 10%, and most of the time they occur at the beginning of the year.
Q14: Can I continue my studies at Al Diwan after I finish the summer program?
- A14: Sure, you can!
Q13: Do you have a summer program?
- A13: Yes. We have a special intensive summer program. For details, please visit the webpage of The Summer Program
Q12: I have been studying Arabic in my country for a year. At what level should I expect to begin my studies?
- A12: Our assessment of a student’s level of language proficiency does not depend only on his or her previous training. We need to know more information, such as: How many hours did you study per week? Who was your teacher? Was he a native speaker? In what discipline did he specialize (i.e.: Teachers of Arabic for non-speakers differ from teachers of Arabic for natives). What curricula were you studying? What textbook? And what method of instruction did your teacher implement
Q11: How do I know my rights and duties while studying in the Center?
- A11: There is a policy agreement that students sign when they first start their registration in the Center. You can read it online before you register. This policy agreement covers all related matters between the student and the Center. Students have actively helped the administration in the establishment of this policy.
Q9: Can a student alternate their schedule, i.e. study one week with regular hours and the following week intensively?
- A9: We are unable to change course hours until the level finishes (i.e.: a period of one month). However, depending on the number of students enrolled at the time, we may be able to accommodate your request.
Q8: What are the additional fees that I will need to pay other than the course tuition?
- A8:
a. Placement Test…………………………60 EGP ($10)
b. Two-Level Textbook………………………200-250 EGP ($35 – 45)
Q7: My wife and I would like to take a private class together. Is this option available or do we need to take our classes separately?
- A7: We can arrange a private class for you and your wife, as long as both of you are at the same level.
Q6: I have a friend of mine living in Egypt who wants to pay the deposit for me; is that possible?
- A6: Yes.
Q5: What if I do not register and just come directly to Al Diwan Center?
- A5: In this case, we cannot immediately inform you when your study schedule will begin. You might begin in a few days, a week, or more, as class seats quickly fill up.
During the “The Summer Program” in June – August, you will have difficulty reserving a seat if you did not register during the registration period, before the program begins.
Q4: What are the steps I need to take from registration to beginning my studies at the Center?
- A4:a. Fill in the free Registration form online, or send us at: info@aldiwancentre.com
b. Wait for Al Diwan’s confirmation receipt message (that we received your application).
c. Send us a deposit to ensure we can reserve a place for you.
d. Wait for Al Diwan’s confirmation receipt message (that we received your application, and reserved a place for you under your name).
e. Send a confirmation and flight itinerary to the Center two weeks before your departure for Egypt.
f. Upon arrival in Egypt, you will be required to pay your tuition and fees.
g. Sign the agreement of study at the Center
* Completing all the registration steps ensures a quick and successful start to your studies.
Q1: In what months or semesters of the year does Al Diwan Center offer courses?
- A1: Al Diwan Center offers its teaching services all year round, There are no vacations, except the weekly Muslim Sabbath: Friday (Juma’ah) and the two Eid celebrations (in total, 8 days).
Q7: Will I be able to attend sessions, free-of-charge, in order to make certain the Center is right for me?
- A7: We have no objections to your attending sessions, free-of-charge, as we want you to feel comfortable before making your decision to study with us. Sometimes, registered students do not welcome this. The best way to know about whether the Center is suitable for you or not is by asking other former or current students, who share your culture and way of thinking.
Q6: Which is better: group classes or private classes?
- A6: Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Group learning enhances the students’ understanding of the Arabic language in that it offers them the opportunity to listen to other students speak the language. In addition, students build friendships with people from various cultures and backgrounds. Moreover, group classes are more economical than private lessons.
Regarding personal tutoring, the student receives greater personal attention from the teacher as opposed to group classes, where the teacher’s attention is divided among all the students. Additionally, if the student completes a given number of levels quickly, then he will save more financially, as tuition expenses are based per hour and not per level. Hence, if the student is diligent and is able to complete a given level in 45 hours, for instance, he would subsequently advance to the next level using his remaining hours.
Q5: What teaching aids are utilized at Al Diwan?
A5: Our teachers use reading selections from various genres, pictures, comic strips, posters, memory cards, audio CDs, video, local and international Arabic magazines, and newspapers.
Q4: Which language is used for teaching at Al Diwan Center?
A4: The only language spoken at Al Diwan is Modern Standard Arabic (Fus’ha). If you are interested in learning the local colloquial dialect of Cairo, we offer courses in the Egyptian dialect.
Q3: What services does the Center offer for international students coming to Egypt regarding lodging and accommodation?
A3: Al Diwan Center is pleased to offer its international students the following special services:
a. Receiving students at the airport and lodging them in a hotel near the Center
b. Hotel room reservations
c. Assistance in finding a suitable apartment
Q2: What distinguishes Al Diwan Center ?
A2: Three things:
a. Pleasant Teacher/Student Relations: At the center, relationships between our teachers and students are friendly and congenial. In fact, many students have expressed the positive impact their relationship with their teacher has had on their learning.
b. Curriculum: The Center’s curriculum has a proven record of achieving effective results, all the while remaining flexible enough to cater to the student’s specific academic interests.
c. Services: The Center participates in a strong network of language centers and bookstores in Cairo, enabling it to obtain a significant discount on books and reference materials for the student.
Q2: When do courses start?
- A2: Al Diwan Center has a rolling registration system. Students can enroll in courses at any time of the year. All you need to do is contact the Center and register one month prior to the date you wish to start taking classes. The only exception to this is The Summer Program, which has specific dates of registration.
Q1: Where do your students come from?
A1: Our students come from more than 50 countries, including: Albania, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, Comoros, China, Daghistan, England, France, Greece, Holland, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkestan, The United States, and other countries. Most of our students come from the USA, Britain, and Canada.