Yes, you can study with Al Khawarizmi Institute live online. Online courses run on Zoom with a teacher in real time, they are not recorded, and they cost the same as the same course in person. This page is for students in Lebanon who cannot get to Simkanieh, and for students outside Lebanon.
Ready to ask about a course? Message us on WhatsApp with the course you want and the country you are in. We answer straight away during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
How an online course works
- Live, with a teacher. You join a Zoom class at the agreed time and learn with a teacher, not from videos. Lessons are not recorded.
- Online groups are separate from in-person groups. You study with other online students, so the schedule is built around them rather than a classroom.
- Materials by WhatsApp or email. Slides, PDFs and links are sent to you directly.
- The same cost as in person. Group courses start from $150 as a reference figure, and the exact fee depends on the course and is confirmed before you enrol. English courses are charged per level.
- A certificate at the end of each language level, stating the course completed and its dates, recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
Which courses can you take online
Most of our courses are available online. These pages describe the main ones.
- English courses for adults, from beginner level up, in CEFR levels A1 to C2.
- IELTS preparation, Academic and General Training, for university and immigration.
- Arabic for non-native speakers.
- NLP courses (Practitioner and Master Practitioner), taught in Arabic and in English.
- English for kids and teens, for children from age 7.
If your course is not in this list, ask whether it runs online. You can also browse the language courses and the computer courses.
Studying from Lebanon
If getting to Simkanieh is hard for you, you can study from home. Online costs the same as coming to the branch, and you can still move to an in-person group later if you want a classroom. The reverse also works: a student who started in Simkanieh can move online if life changes.
If you live outside Lebanon
There are students outside Lebanon. If you live outside Lebanon, the teacher agrees class times with your group to suit the time difference, so you are not forced into a lesson at the wrong hour of your day, so say where you live when you first write to us.
Whatever the course, the first step is the same: message us on WhatsApp with your country, your course and the times that suit you.
Placement test and levels
Before a language course you take a written placement test. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and is free. We prefer you take it at the branch, but it can be taken online in some circumstances. Complete beginners can start, and the test shows which of the six CEFR levels, A1 to C2, to join. If you are ready for a higher level, you can skip one.
As a reference, a level is about 20 hours of class before the end-of-level exam. The exact length varies by course and is confirmed after the placement test. Students usually have two sessions a week of one to two hours.
What you need to study online
- A computer, tablet or phone that can run Zoom, and a stable internet connection. A computer is better for courses with software.
- A way to receive materials: WhatsApp or email.
- Time for homework. Homework is set, and 1 to 2 hours of study outside class for every hour in class is recommended.
Online or in person: how to choose
If you live near Simkanieh and enjoy a classroom, our main branch in Simkanieh has parking on site and is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. If you do not, or your timetable is tight, online gives you the same course at the same cost. We also have a branch in Aley; ask us which groups run there. There is no need to decide for good. Students can move between online and in-person. For one-to-one help, see our private tutoring page, and for company teams, our corporate training page.
Next step
Message us on WhatsApp at +961 71 27 67 13, which is the fastest way to reach us, or email [email protected], or use the online registration form. Tell us the course and where you are. We answer during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Frequently asked questions
Are your online classes live or recorded?
They are live on Zoom with a teacher. They are not recorded.
Does an online course cost more or less than in person?
The same. Group courses start from $150 as a reference figure, and the exact fee is confirmed for your course before you enrol.
Which courses are available online?
Most of them, including English, IELTS, Arabic for non-native speakers, NLP and English for kids and teens. Ask whether any other course runs online.
I live abroad. Can I join, and what about the time difference?
Yes. There are students outside Lebanon. Class times are set with the teacher to suit the time difference. Message us on WhatsApp with your country.
How do I get the course materials?
Slides, PDFs and links are sent by WhatsApp or email.
Do I need to take the placement test in person?
We prefer it at the branch, but it can be taken online in some circumstances. The test is written, takes 20 to 30 minutes and is free.
Can I switch between online and in-person classes?
Yes. Students can move between online and in-person groups. Online and in-person groups are separate, so ask us which group you would join.