General presentation
Who are we?
With 40 years of experience in teaching Arabic as a living modern language, the DEAC has developed solid expertise recognized by all its partners. We offer linguistic and cultural training that allows non-native speakers learners of all levels to acquire and/or develop Arabic language skills, both written and spoken. Our content covers levels from beginner to advanced (A1-C1).
Who are our courses for ?
The DEAC has many partners in the academic world (l’Université de Paris IV Sorbonne, l’Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales, les Instituts d’Etudes Politiques (IEP), l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, Sao Paolo’s University, etc).
In addition to French students, the DEAC welcomes students from France and around the world (for example this year 2021-2022 we taught American, Austrian, Belgian, Brazilian, Korean, Danish, Italian and Swiss students). French proficiency is not required.
Many of our students are working professionals who take a semester or a year to study Arabic for professional or personal reasons. These students are working in various fields (journalism, NGOs, academia, etc.).
Contact information:
Address :
1 Madrasset El Huquq El Frenseya Street,
Mounira– Cairo
Adresse de la valise diplomatique :
IFE – DEAC, Ambassade de France en Egypte,
13 rue Louveau – 92438 Chatillon Cedex
Telephone:
+20 (0)1223662739
+20 (0)1220217050
Email address:
Our strengths
- Cultural and linguistic immersion in a key country in the Arab world.
- An ambitious program both in terms of the number of contact hours and the diversity of the courses.
- A team of teachers who are native speakers and who have significant experience in teaching Arabic as a foreign language.
- A one-week immersion session in Upper Egypt in Luxor.
- Our courses are held in the French Institute of Cairo in Mounirah (near downtown Cairo) in newly renovated premises.
- Our classrooms are equipped with the digital equipment necessary for modern language instruction.
- Students receive free use of the French Institute library, which has a strong collection of books and media.
- An in-house cafe allows students to take their meals within the Institute.
- At the Institute, a French department offers language courses to Egyptians. The DEAC sets up language exchanges on request between DEAC students and French learners. This is a great opportunity to practice the language outside of class hours.
- The DEAC provides support in the process of extending a visa and obtaining a residence permit for students in yearlong or semester programs.
- Our course of study fully integrates the Egyptian dialect, the most widely understood dialect in the Arab world.
- Class sizes are restricted to five to 12 students per class.
Our approach
- Our courses are taught exclusively in Arabic.
- All of our courses include an oral and a written component. Each curriculum is designed to meet the standards set by the CECRL.
- An oral and written placement test at the beginning of the program allows us to assess the student’s level of proficiency. The student is then assigned to an appropriate level (semi-beginner, intermediate or advanced). Placement tests are not necessary for the beginner level.
- Our course materials are created by the teaching team: beginners and semi-beginners work with appropriate instructional materials. Intermediate and advanced levels exclusively study authentic texts and media.
- Although the culture and history of Egypt are central to our curricula, we take particular care to present to the students content that reflects the variety of literary and journalistic output of the Arab world. Students thus travel in space from Mauritania to the Gulf and travel in time from the pre-Islamic period to the present day.
- All course materials are available to students on a digital educational platform. This is a tool particularly appreciated by our students.
The DEAC is located on the premises of the French Institute of Egypt in Mounira, an authentic Cairo neighbourhood close to the historic city centre.
On arrival at Cairo airport, you can obtain a tourist visa for around USD 25. This visa is valid for one month, plus fifteen days automatically. It will therefore be valid for six weeks. The counter is on the right after the luggage conveyor belts and just before the passport control queue. As soon as you start your new school year, the DEAC will work with you to take the necessary steps to obtain your residence permit. It currently costs LE 1950 to obtain a residence visa. You can also apply for a multi-entry visa, which costs between LE 700 and LE 800.
No, you don’t need to be a native French speaker to study at DEAC. All courses are taught in Arabic.
The DEAC offers training adapted to all levels of learning. Consequently, you don’t need to have a basic knowledge of Arabic to join the DEAC.
We welcome :
– Absolute beginners (CEFR A1 level),
– False beginners (CEFR level A2),
– Intermediates (CEFR B1/B2 level),
– And advanced students (CEFR level C1).
Students have lessons five days a week, from Sunday to Thursday, lasting around 6 hours a day, as follows:
– 8.30am to 10.30am
– 11am to 1pm
– Lunch break from 1pm to 2pm
– From 2pm to 4pm
– From 4.30pm, the options begin for those who wish to do so
No. The price already includes the necessary teaching materials.
Payment is made by bank transfer to the DEAC account, which is in France, which means that the transaction is in euros.
No, the DEAC does not award a diploma. However, you will leave with a transcript of marks and a certificate of attendance (provided you attend the course regularly).
The DEAC does not issue a language certificate. However, your transcript will indicate the content of the course (subjects and number of hours) as well as the language level corresponding to the CERCL levels. Please note that the only institution that issues Arabic language certificates is the Arab World Institute.
The time needed to find a flat and settle in varies, but on average you should allow between 10 and 15 days. This will enable you to find a place more quickly and to take advantage of the time remaining before the placement tests to acclimatise, or even travel, as September is a very good time to do this.
For the first few days, we advise you to stay in inexpensive hotels, usually in the city centre, and especially in hotels where students stay, which will enable you to meet people who, like you, are moving to Egypt.
The most popular are : Dahab Hostel, Paradise Inn Hostel, Pension Roma, Hotel Osiris.
Cairo is the ‘capital’ of the Arab world, and cultural activity is very lively. Every Sunday, our librarian sends you a list of cultural activities in Arabic which we recommend you attend.
As for transport, sport and other cultural activities, you’ll find all the answers in our installation guide here.
DEAC is not involved in the flat search process. However, we do provide you with an installation guide, which explains everything about the search, the lease and the precautions to take. We can also put you in contact with students who are leaving, so that you can take over their flat if necessary.
You must take out specific health insurance for abroad (including repatriation insurance) and civil liability insurance. You should give a copy of this to the DEAC administration when you arrive.
Medical expenses incurred in Egypt are reimbursed, but with varying delays. The Caisse des Français de l’Etranger (CFE) is a good health insurance scheme that covers a wide range of disabilities and illnesses. However, it is important to emphasise that the CFE never undertakes to reimburse all medical expenses.
For more information, don’t hesitate to consult the DEAC installation guide, which is very complete.
