NLP stands for neuro-linguistic programming, an approach to communication and personal development that was first developed by John Grinder and Richard Bandler in the 1970s. On an NLP course you learn a set of practical techniques and practise each one on a real person, with a trainer guiding you and giving feedback.
By Al Khawarizmi Institute. Checked on 1 November 2026.
Is this the same NLP as in artificial intelligence?
No. The letters are the same, which confuses many searches. Natural language processing is a field of computer science that teaches software to work with human language. Neuro-linguistic programming, which this page is about, is a training subject for people. If you came here for the computing one, we do not teach it.
What do you do on an NLP course?
Most of the time goes on practice. At Al Khawarizmi Institute, each technique is practised on a real person, in pairs or small groups. One of you acts as the practitioner and the other as the client, and then you swap. The trainer watches, guides you and gives feedback. So this is not a course you only listen to, and you should come ready to take part.
Because of that, it suits people who want to work on how they communicate, with students, with staff, with clients or at home. It is a training course, not medical or psychological treatment. If you need care for your health, please see a licensed professional.
What is an NLP Practitioner, and what is a Master Practitioner?
They are the two levels we teach, each its own course. Practitioner is the first level, with no prerequisites. Master Practitioner is the second level, and it requires the earlier training and certification. Our guide to choosing between Practitioner and Master Practitioner goes through who each level is for.
How long is an NLP course?
The Practitioner course is about 40 hours. That is a reference figure, confirmed for each cohort. Ask us about the Master Practitioner, as we do not publish a figure for it. Cohorts open according to the training schedule and demand, so we do not list fixed start dates here. Message us and we will tell you when the next one opens.
Who takes NLP courses, and do I need a background in psychology?
You do not need one. Practitioner is open to students, teachers, parents, managers, coaches and anyone interested. Our graduates use it in their existing work, in teaching, leadership and training, or as a path into NLP coaching.
Which language is it taught in, and can I take it online?
We teach NLP in Arabic and in English. You can join in person at our main branch in Simkanieh, in the Chouf, or live on Zoom at the same fee. Online classes are taught live and are not recorded, and online groups are separate from in-person groups. Slides, PDFs and links are sent by WhatsApp or email, and you can move between online and in-person. Our Beirut and Choueifat branches have paused operations, so students there can study online. We also have a branch in Aley: ask us which groups are running.
How much does an NLP course cost?
We confirm the fee for each course when you ask, because fees change from one course to another. There is no registration fee, online costs the same as in person, and fees are quoted in US dollars and paid by cash, Whish or OMT.
What else has the institute done around NLP?
NLP is a big part of our community work, not only our classes. The institute has held NLP graduation ceremonies with graduates’ families attending. It has hosted signings of «أنا هذا وذاك», a book written by one of our NLP trainers, including at the National Library in Baakline under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, and in Aley with the Al Radwan Association under the patronage of Aley municipality. It has also run talks on themes close to the course, such as a talk on women and emotional intelligence in Ras el Metn, with the Al Makarem Association, and a free Zoom talk titled “Who said men don’t cry?”.
Is Body Language part of the NLP course?
No. Body Language is its own course, separate from NLP. Message us on WhatsApp to ask about it.
How do I choose the right NLP course?
Whichever institute you are considering, ask these before you pay:
- How much of the time is spent practising on real people, and who gives you feedback?
- How many hours is the course, and in which language is it taught?
- Which level does it cover, and what is required to go on to the next one?
- Who issues the certificate, and is it accepted where you plan to use it?
- Is the teaching live, and can you move between online and in-person?
See our NLP courses in Lebanon, or ask about the next cohort: Enroll Now.