Al Khawarizmi Institute was established in 2011 and is licensed with the Lebanese Ministry of Education. Whether you are starting from scratch, pushing toward a university place, or trying to work confidently in English, you begin the same way — with a free placement test, so you join the level you are at.
Every level, from beginner to advanced
Our General and Academic English programme runs across all levels. Levels follow the Common European Framework (CEFR), from A1 to C2, and each level ends with a certificate recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- A1-A2 (beginner and elementary) — introducing yourself, everyday needs, simple exchanges, short familiar texts.
- B1 (intermediate) — handling most situations while travelling, describing experiences, giving reasons for an opinion.
- B2 (upper intermediate) — following technical discussion in your own field and arguing a position clearly.
- C1-C2 (advanced and proficient) — fluent, flexible English for academic and professional use, including implied meaning and nuance.
The free placement test settles which of those describes you.
How the course is organised
- Placement first — a free written test before you enrol, so you join the right group
- Six levels, A1 to C2 — with an exam at the end of each level deciding the move up
- A certificate for each level — stating the course completed and its dates
- Homework — it is set, and we recommend 1–2 hours of study outside class for every hour in class
- One teacher per level — you keep the same teacher throughout a level
What the placement test involves
The placement test is written, free, and takes 20–30 minutes. It is usually taken at the branch, and in some circumstances it can be taken online. Complete beginners can start without any test result to show.
The result decides which group you join. If it shows you are ready, you can skip a level. If you fall between two levels, there are two options: a few private classes to close the gap so you can join the higher level, or repeating the lower level.
How long it takes
As a reference, one level is about 20 hours of class, usually in two sessions a week, followed by an end-of-level exam. How many levels you need depends on where you start and where you want to reach, so we confirm your plan after the placement test — someone moving from B1 to B2 for a university file is on a different path from a beginner starting at A1.
Choose the English course that matches your goal
General English is the foundation. Beyond it there are courses built around a specific outcome — an exam or a university file.
- IELTS preparation — for university admission, work visas and migration files
- TOEFL preparation — preparation for the TOEFL
- SAT preparation — for university entrance: the whole syllabus of both sections, Reading and Writing, and Math
- Cambridge English preparation — preparation at a certified Cambridge training centre and exam venue
- Business English — English for work and professional use
Which English test should you sit?
The university or employer asking for a score decides which test you need, so check their requirement before you register. If you have not chosen yet, read our guide to choosing between IELTS and TOEFL.
Visa-interview preparation
If you are heading to a visa interview, we prepare you for it: spoken English and body language. See IELTS for immigration and visas.
Where classes run
Classes run in person at our main branch in Simkanieh (the Chouf), and most courses are also available as live Zoom groups for students elsewhere in Lebanon or abroad — taught live by a teacher, not recorded, at the same fee as in person. We also have a branch in Aley: ask us which groups are running there. Our Beirut (Mar Elias) and Choueifat branches are paused for now; students from those areas can study online or at Simkanieh. You can move between in-person and online as your schedule changes.
Fees, levels and timing
- A free placement test first. It is written, takes 20–30 minutes, and is usually taken at the branch. Complete beginners are welcome.
- Six levels, A1 to C2. As a reference, a level is about 20 hours of class, then an end-of-level exam; the exact length depends on the course and is confirmed after your placement test. If the test shows you are ready, you can skip a level.
- Two sessions a week, usually 1–2 hours each, in morning, afternoon or evening groups, plus Saturday classes. New groups open every month, and you keep the same teacher for the whole level.
- Fees. Group courses start from $150 (USD) — a reference figure; we confirm the fee for your course and level before you enrol. English group courses are charged per level. No registration fee. Pay in cash, by Whish or by OMT. Online classes cost the same as in person.
- Repeating a level. A student can repeat a level. It is charged, sometimes with a discount, and we tell you what applies when you ask.
- Age. There is no minimum age for adult classes.
- Waiting list. Each course and level has a waiting list, and a group opens when enough students are ready. To hold a place on the list, you register and pay in advance.
- Pausing. Pausing is possible in some circumstances but not recommended. If you have to stop for a valid reason, you can continue later in a new class. If your schedule changes, you can switch group.
- A certificate for every level, recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- Prefer one-to-one? Private one-to-one lessons are charged per hour, in blocks of 20 hours.
- For children and teenagers — see English for kids and teens, from age 7, including the teen hub.
- Studying from abroad or far from Simkanieh? See our online courses: live on Zoom, not recorded, at the same fee as in person.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which English level I need?
You start with a free placement test. It is written and takes 20–30 minutes, and it places you in the group that matches your current level.
How long does one English level take?
As a reference, about 20 hours of class, plus an exam at the end of the level. The exact length depends on the course and is confirmed after your free placement test. How many levels you need depends on where you start and where you want to reach.
What is a B2 level, and why do universities ask for it?
B2 is upper intermediate on the CEFR scale — enough English to follow discussion in your own field and argue a position clearly.
Can I take English classes online?
Yes. Most courses are available as live Zoom classes with a teacher, not recorded, at the same fee, and students join from across Lebanon and from outside Lebanon.
Do you also prepare students for IELTS, TOEFL and SAT?
Yes. We run separate exam preparation courses for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and the Cambridge English exams.
Is English charged per course or per level?
English group courses are charged per level. Group courses start from $150 (USD) as a reference figure, and we confirm the exact fee for your level before you enrol. There is no registration fee, and online classes cost the same as in person.
What happens if I repeat a level?
A student can repeat a level. Repeating is charged, sometimes with a discount. Ask us when you register.
Is there a minimum age for adult English classes?
No. There is no minimum age for adult classes. Children from the age of 7 join separate groups: see English for kids and teens.
Can I pause a course and continue later?
Pausing is possible in some circumstances, but it is not recommended. A student who has to stop for a valid reason can continue later in a new class. If your schedule changes, you can switch to another group.
How do I hold a place on the waiting list?
Each course and level has a waiting list, and a group opens when enough students are ready. To hold a place on the list, you register and pay in advance. A group opens when enough students are ready, and the teacher agrees the schedule with them.
Can I study English from outside Lebanon?
Yes. Most courses are available live on Zoom with a teacher, not recorded, at the same fee as in person, and class times are set with the teacher to suit the time difference. See our online courses.
Related courses
- IELTS Preparation — for university, work visa and migration files
- Cambridge English Preparation
- Computer & Digital Design Courses — MS Office, AutoCAD, Photoshop and design software
- Online courses — live on Zoom, for students in Lebanon and abroad
Book your placement test
Tell us your goal — a band score, a university, a job, or simply speaking with confidence — and book your free placement test. Call 00961 71 27 67 13 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer straight away during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.