Arabic, Darija and Quran lessons online for the Balkans and Southeast Europe

What differs by country

Many learners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and parts of Montenegro and Serbia already have some Arabic from Quran classes and want Tajweed or meanings. In Greece and Croatia, many learners come to Arabic for work in shipping, trade or tourism. In Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, university students of oriental studies look for speaking practice. Slovenia has little in-person Arabic teaching, so online lessons are the realistic route.

Choosing MSA, Moroccan Darija or Quran

Choose MSA to read, write and understand formal Arabic, for study or work, or to understand the Quran and prayer. Choose Moroccan Darija only for spoken Arabic with Moroccans or life in Morocco. Choose a Quran path for reading, Tajweed, memorization with revision or meanings.

Lisanova teaches two kinds of Arabic: Modern Standard Arabic (MSA, Fusha) — the formal Arabic of books, news, documents and Islamic scholarship — and Moroccan Darija, the everyday spoken Arabic of Morocco. Quran lessons are a separate path. It does not teach Levantine, Egyptian, Gulf or other Arabic dialects, or Turkish.

How online lessons from Morocco work

Lisanova Academy is an online academy run from Morocco. It has no classroom, branch, agent or locally based tutor in Southeast Europe: every lesson is a live one-to-one video lesson with a Moroccan teacher.

You book a free trial, the academy agrees a time with you on WhatsApp, and the teacher runs a short informal level check. You then choose single lessons or a package and keep a regular weekly time, with the same teacher where possible.

Explanation language

Lisanova has teachers who explain lessons in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as in Arabic; not every teacher speaks every one of these languages. The Arabic you learn is a separate choice from the explanation language. English suits most learners in the region. Lessons are not explained in Greek, Croatian, Slovenian, Serbian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, Macedonian, Albanian or Turkish. Tell us your preference when you enquire and we match you with a suitable teacher.

Time zones

Greece is on Eastern European Time: usually one hour ahead of Morocco in winter and two in summer. All the other countries on this page are on Central European Time: usually the same time as Morocco in winter and one hour ahead in summer. During Ramadan Morocco moves to UTC+0, adding one hour to each difference.

When you book the free trial or ask on WhatsApp, send your city and two or three preferred local times. The academy replies with a proposed time in your local time and in Morocco time; the lesson is fixed only once you both confirm. No timetable is published in advance and no hour is guaranteed.

Romania, Bulgaria and other European countries

Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Czechia are covered on the Europe page, and Turkey on the North Africa, Levant and Turkey page.

Prices and getting started

Private Arabic and Moroccan Darija: one 60-minute lesson $20; 8 hours $120; 12 hours $170; 16 hours $200. Prices are in US dollars; no euro, dinar, lek, denar or other local-currency price is offered. The first trial lesson is free.

Quran and Islamic Studies: single class $12 per hour; Monthly Package 1, 8 hours per month, $80; Monthly Package 2, 12 hours per month, $110. Families get 15% off for each additional sibling. Discover Islam sessions are free.

Book the free Arabic/Darija trial with your name, WhatsApp number and preferred package; the academy arranges the time with you on WhatsApp. You can pay by bank transfer, by card or through a money-transfer service such as Western Union. Quran enquiries are arranged on WhatsApp. Cancellation and refund conditions are on the Terms page.