Arabic, Darija and Quran lessons online for Central Asia

What differs by country

Kazakhstan has strong university demand in Almaty and professional demand in Astana. In Uzbekistan, home of Imam al-Bukhari, Quran reading and Tajweed are the most common requests. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan share one page: Kyrgyz is a Turkic language, while Tajik is a form of Persian with many Arabic words. Turkmenistan has little in-person Arabic teaching, and its learners should check which messaging and payment options work for them.

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; it is not Gulf Arabic. 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 Gulf, Levantine, Egyptian, Iraqi or other Arabic dialects, and it does not teach Russian, Turkic languages, Persian, Georgian or Armenian.

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 Central Asia: 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 Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Tajik or Turkmen. Tell us your preference when you enquire and we match you with a suitable teacher.

Time zones

None of these countries changes its clocks in summer. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are on UTC+5, usually 4 hours ahead of Morocco; Kyrgyzstan is on UTC+6, usually 5 hours ahead. During Ramadan Morocco moves to UTC+0, adding one hour to each difference. Morning lessons in Morocco fall in your afternoon.

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.

The Caucasus, Turkey and South Asia

Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia are on the Caucasus page. Turkey and Pakistan have their own pages.

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 tenge, som, somoni, manat, lari, dram 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; if one option is not available from your country, ask about the others before paying. Quran enquiries are arranged on WhatsApp. Cancellation and refund conditions are on the Terms page.