Arabic lessons online in South Africa

Learning Arabic from South Africa

South Africa’s Muslim communities — Cape Muslims with roots going back centuries in Cape Town, and families of Indian and other heritage in Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria — often combine local madrasah classes with extra Arabic or Quran support at home. Others contact Lisanova because of a Moroccan partner, or for MSA for study and work.

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

Arabic in a mostly English-speaking setting

Most South African learners study and work in English, and many children first meet Arabic letters through Quran reading at madrasah. Lessons can therefore start from reading you already know and build towards understanding, grammar or conversation.

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.

Modern Standard Arabic lessons in South Africa

MSA lessons suit adults who can read the Quranic script but want to understand what they read, students of Islamic studies who need grammar, and children who need regular reading and writing practice beyond weekend classes.

Moroccan Darija lessons in South Africa

Moroccan Darija lessons suit South Africans with Moroccan spouses or in-laws and anyone planning time in Morocco. Lessons focus on everyday conversation, listening and family situations.

Quran lessons online in South Africa

Many families want a private Quran teacher to support memorization or improve Tajweed alongside madrasah. A private online slot lets each child or adult work at their own pace.

Quran lessons available: reading from the first letters, recitation with correction, Tajweed rules, memorization (Hifz) with revision, and understanding the meanings. Lisanova’s Quran teachers hold Ijazah in recitation and Tajweed. Lessons are arranged on WhatsApp so the academy can confirm the teacher, the explanation language and a realistic scope; no memorization outcome is promised.

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.

Lesson times

South Africa is on South African Standard Time (UTC+2). This is UTC+2 all year. Morocco is on UTC+1 for most of the year and UTC+0 during Ramadan, so you are usually one hour ahead of Morocco and two hours ahead during Ramadan.

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.

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 explanations suit most South African learners. Tell us your preference when you enquire and we match you with a suitable teacher.

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 local-currency price is offered. The first trial lesson is 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.