Arabic, Darija and Quran lessons online for Finland, Iceland and the Baltic states

What differs by country

In Finland, Arabic is one of the most common foreign mother tongues, and many families want children to read it. Iceland has very little in-person Arabic teaching, so remote lessons are the realistic route. Estonia and Latvia have large Russian-speaking communities alongside Estonian and Latvian speakers. Lithuania’s Tatar Muslim community dates back to the fourteenth century.

Across the region, English is widely spoken, which is why English is the usual explanation language.

Choosing MSA, Moroccan Darija or Quran

Choose MSA to read, write and understand formal Arabic, for study or work, or to understand Islamic texts. 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, Iraqi, Egyptian, Gulf or other Arabic dialects, or Tamazight (Berber) languages.

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 Northern 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 Finnish, Swedish, Icelandic, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian or Russian. Tell us your preference when you enquire and we match you with a suitable teacher.

Time zones

Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are on Eastern European Time: usually one hour ahead of Morocco in winter and two hours ahead in summer. Iceland stays on UTC+0 all year, usually one hour behind Morocco. During Ramadan Morocco moves to UTC+0, so the Baltic and Finnish difference grows by one hour and Iceland is level with Morocco.

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.

Sweden, Norway and Denmark

Sweden, Norway and Denmark have their own pages, with Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen. Other European countries are covered on the Europe 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, króna 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.