ALC featured in the International Association of Language Centres.
"We are proud to welcome the Arabic Language Centre (ALC) in Dubai as a new member of the International Association of Language Centres. This exciting additionbrings Dubai, one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in the Middle East,into the respected group of IALC-accredited school locations.
Located in the iconic Sheikh Rashid Tower at the Dubai WorldTrade Centre, ALC has been a prominent fixture in Dubai’s educational andcultural scene since its founding in 1980.
We had the pleasure of speaking with George Wehbe, BusinessDevelopment Executive at the Arabic Language Centre (ALC) in Dubai to uncover what makestheir school stand out in this lively city and how they’ve earned theirreputation as a respected institution for Arabic language education.
The Arabic Language Centre is located in the Dubai WorldTrade Centre, inside the iconic Sheikh Rashid Tower—a place we’ve proudlycalled home since 1980. Over the span of 45 years, we’ve witnessed Dubai’sextraordinary transformation firsthand. Our long-standing presence herereflects our deep roots in the city’s educational and cultural development. Fewinstitutions can claim such a historic and continuous connection to Dubai’sgrowth, which makes our location not just prestigious, but symbolic of ourcommitment to Arabic language education.
Dubai itself is a global hub of innovation, diversity, andopportunity. As a city that bridges East and West, it’s the perfect place tolearn Arabic—a language of immense strategic and cultural significance in theregion.
The Arabic Language Centre is more than just aschool—it’s a legacy built on passion, innovation, and a deep love for theArabic language. Founded in 1980 by Maliha Wehbe, ALC was created from herbelief that Arabic should be taught in a simplified, logical, and interactive wayto make it accessible for everyone.
What makes us unique is how we make Arabic come alive.Maliha developed our own teaching method and curriculum, designed to removeunnecessary complexity and reveal the language’s natural logic and beauty.Instead of overwhelming students with grammar rules, we lead them through anintuitive and immersive process that builds confidence and curiosity.
We’re also proud to be a family-run institution, continuingMaliha’s mission with the same warmth and dedication she instilled from dayone.
We offer a three-tier learning system—Beginner,Intermediate, and Advanced—providing a clear, structured path to fluency forstudents at any level.
Our most popular course is Beginners I, designed to beeasy, engaging, and effective. It gives students a strong foundation inreading, writing, speaking, and listening. From there, Beginners II andIII help build on those basics with more real-life practice. OurIntermediate and Advanced courses are ideal for learners looking to deepentheir fluency and master more complex grammar and vocabulary.
Whether students are learning for travel, work, or personalgrowth, Beginners I is the perfect place to start.
Joining IALC is both an achievement and a responsibility.It’s a recognition of the quality we’ve always strived for—and a push to keepevolving. We’re proud to be Dubai’s first and only IALC-accredited Arabiclanguage school, and we see this as just the beginning of a new journey toshare Arabic language and culture with a global audience.
What excites us most is being part of a network of educatorsand learners who share our values. Dubai is a cultural crossroads, and IALChelps us welcome even more students from around the world who are looking formore than just language lessons—they want meaningful, cultural experiences. Italso opens the door to collaborations and helps keep us at the forefront oflanguage education.
Many of our students have been coming to ALC for years,which speaks volumes. What they love most is our student-centred approach andthe warm, welcoming atmosphere we’ve created.As a family business, we’veremained true to Maliha’s values, and that spirit can be felt in everyclassroom. Many of our staff and teachers have been with us for years, forminga close-knit team that naturally extends that sense of family to our students.It’s a place where people feel supported, seen, and inspired.
Yes! To celebrate our IALC membership, we’ve launchedexciting Cultural Immersion Programs for both adults and youth. These aredesigned to go beyond traditional classroom instruction by blending languagelearning with rich cultural experiences.
Participants take part in intensive Arabic language sessionsand enjoy hands-on workshops in calligraphy and traditional arts. We also offerculinary classes, where students learn to prepare authentic local dishes, andorganize excursions to cultural landmarks and historical sites—giving learnersthe chance to practice Arabic in real-life contexts.
For younger learners, our youth programs include fun,age-appropriate excursions and activities that make language learning enjoyableand dynamic. These new offerings reflect our belief that learning Arabic shouldbe both educational and transformative.
“To teach the Arabic language to current and futuregenerations using our methodology to enable students to learn Arabic in asimplified and friendly manner, while appreciating its inherent logic andbeautiful cultures.”
Final Thoughts
As ALC enters this exciting new phase as a member of IALC,its mission remains unchanged: to make Arabic accessible, enjoyable, and deeplyconnected to the culture from which it comes. With a legacy rooted inexcellence and a vision for the future, the Arabic Language Centre continues toshape the way Arabic is taught and experienced—both in Dubai and beyond.
With Dubai now part of the IALC destinations, students canexplore the rich culture and language of one of the world’s most exciting andrapidly growing cities. Learn more about studying Arabic at the Arabic Language Centre."
Read full article here by the International Association of Language Centres.