{"id":78862,"date":"2020-09-23T08:14:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-23T08:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=78862"},"modified":"2023-08-01T08:45:17","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T08:45:17","slug":"language","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/dubai\/language\/","title":{"rendered":"Language Guide – Dubai"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Language Guide Dubai<\/h3>\n

Although the official language of Dubai is Arabic, for all intents and purposes this is a bilingual city. All road signs, maps, forms, advertisements, and official sources of information are available in both English and Arabic. The large expatriate community in Dubai has led to English being used as a lingua franca. It is English, and not Arabic, that you will need in shops, restaurants, and taxis. The prevalence of English is more noticeable in Dubai than it is in any of the other Emirates. This is because it is a center of business, commerce, and tourism. You will find that most local people, as well as the vast majority of expatriates, speak enough English to communicate the basics.<\/p>\n

In 2008, the government launched a campaign to promote the use of Arabic. They see this as an important part of preserving their culture. Local people will welcome any attempts you make to learn their language. You should be aware, however, that the local spoken Arabic is quite different from modern standard Arabic. If you choose to study Arabic, you should decide which variety you want to learn. All Emirates understand standard Arabic, but Arabic speakers in other countries may find Gulf Arabic difficult to understand.<\/p>\n

There are several schools offering Arabic classes for expatriates. You should be able to find a course which suits your location, timings, budget, and requirements.<\/p>\n

Arabic Language Center
\nWorld Trade Center
\nPublic 30-hour courses for beginners to advanced learners are from AED 1,950 per course
\nSpecialist courses are from AED 450 per hour per group
\nPrivate tuition is from AED 200 per hour
\nTel: 04 308 6036
\nhttp:\/\/www.dwtc.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

The University of Wollongong in Dubai – Arabic Language Program
\nPart-time six-week courses for beginners to intermediate learners are AED 1,500 per course.
\nEmail: CLCAdmin@uowdubai.ac.ae.
\nhttp:\/\/www.uowdubai.ac.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Dar El Ilm
\nNext to the World Trade Center
\nGroup classes are available
\nPrivate tuition is from AED 140 per hour
\nTel: 04 331 0221<\/p>\n

Dubai International Art Center
\nNear Town Center, Jumeirah
\nDetails of courses are available by contacting the center
\nEmail: artdubai@emirates.net.ae
\nTel: 04 344 4398<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ el_class=”city-side-bar”][vc_row_inner el_class=”sidebar-section-one”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Top Tips” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_separator color=”#ffffff” type=”full_width” thickness=”1″ up=”” down=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
01<\/td>\nDubai might look like a Western country but it is still a Middle Eastern country. Make sure you know the rules and stay on the right side of the law.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
02<\/td>\nWhile Dubai is unbelievably hot in the summer, the weather in winter is wonderful. Make the most of it by investigating the many outdoor activities.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
03<\/td>\nChoose an area to live and a school for your children which is close to work location. This will save the whole family a lot of commuting time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
04<\/td>\nWhen you first arrive, there will be a lot of bureaucracy to deal with. Make sure you have a good supply of passport photocopies and lots of patience.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
05<\/td>\nWith the high turnover of expatriates, people are very welcoming and extremely helpful in practical matters as well as in helping you settle in.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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