Arabic, Darija and Quran lessons online for Southeast Asia

What differs by country

In Indonesia, Malaysia, southern Thailand, Mindanao and among the Cham of Vietnam and Cambodia, many learners already read the Quran’s script and want to understand Arabic or improve Tajweed. In the Philippines, many learners are preparing to work in the Gulf. In Bangkok and Phuket, hospital and hotel staff want polite Arabic for visitors. In Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, in-person Arabic teaching is limited, so online lessons fill the gap.

Each country page explains the usual starting point, the cities covered and any practical checks — for example connection and payment in Myanmar.

Choosing MSA, Moroccan Darija or Quran

Choose MSA to read, write and understand formal Arabic, for study, work in the Gulf or with visitors from the Arab world, or to understand the Quran. 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 or other Arabic dialects.

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 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; French is available for learners in Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam who prefer it. Lessons are not explained in Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, Khmer, Lao, Burmese, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia or Chinese, and no local-language versions of these pages are published. Tell us your preference when you enquire and we match you with a suitable teacher.

Time zones

No country in the region changes its clocks in summer. Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and western Indonesia are on UTC+7, usually six hours ahead of Morocco; the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan are on UTC+8, seven hours ahead; Myanmar is on UTC+6:30, five and a half hours ahead. During Ramadan Morocco moves to UTC+0, adding one hour. A Moroccan morning lesson falls in your afternoon or evening.

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.

Taiwan and Sri Lanka

Taiwan and Sri Lanka are not in Southeast Asia but are covered alongside it: Taiwan for students and professionals, many in Taipei, and Sri Lanka for families who want Quran lessons and adults who want to understand Arabic. Both are listed in the table below.

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.

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.