Online English lessons for children in the Middle East: a parent's guide by country

Which countries does this guide cover?

We have a guide for parents in each country: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Israel, Jordan, Türkiye, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt. Each guide covers school English there, the sounds and spellings children find tricky, after-school times and what to look for in lessons.

How does English fit into school across the Middle East?

In the Gulf countries, English is taught as a subject in government schools from the primary years, and many children attend private and international schools that follow British, American, IB, Indian or other curricula and teach mainly in English. In Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, government schools teach English as a subject, and language and private schools teach more subjects in it. In Lebanon, schools are usually francophone or anglophone. In Israel and Türkiye, English is the main foreign language from the primary years.

So two children of the same age, even in the same city, can have very different English. Each country guide explains the local picture; your child's school is always the best source for what they expect.

What do Arabic-speaking children find tricky in English?

• P and b, as Arabic has no separate p: park can sound like bark.
• V and f, as Arabic has no v: van can sound like fan.
• English vowels, as Arabic has fewer vowel sounds: ship and sheep.
• Writing every vowel, as written Arabic usually leaves short vowels out: bg for big.
• Left to right, so b and d mix-ups are common for a while.

All of this is normal and improves with practice. Phonics, where children hear and write each sound in order, helps with reading and spelling alike. See also spelling and dictation at home.

What about children who speak Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish or French?

Hebrew-speaking children in Israel also read right to left, often without vowels, so English spelling needs the same care. Turkish children read the Latin alphabet, but some letters, like c and j, sound different in English, and Turkish spelling is far more regular. Kurdish-speaking children in Iraq usually find p and v easy. In Lebanon, children who learn French first need to keep French and English letter sounds apart. Each country guide goes into detail.

When do online lessons fit across the region?

Try to choose a 25-minute lesson after school, between about 4pm and 8pm local time, planned around prayer times and family routines, or a weekend morning. Where the clocks change, check your next lessons' times in spring and autumn. Our guide to online lessons across time zones explains more.

How do I keep Arabic strong while English grows?

Keep reading, talking and telling stories in Arabic, or your home language, at home. A strong first language helps children learn English, and children across the region grow up strong in two or three languages. Mixing languages in one sentence for a while is normal. See bilingual children who mix languages.

What age should children start extra English?

There is no single right age. At four or five, short, playful lessons with songs, pictures, games and letter sounds help children enjoy English and get used to reading left to right, with no pressure to write. From six or seven, phonics and simple reading grow alongside reading in Arabic, Hebrew or Turkish at school. Children who start at eight or ten often move quickly, because they already read well and know how to learn. What matters most is that English stays enjoyable. See English for 4-year-olds.

Does my child's teacher need to come from a particular country?

No. What makes a lesson work is a skilled, warm teacher with clear English who knows how to teach young children and listens to your child. Hearing a range of English voices also helps children understand English wherever they meet it. Read does my child need a native English teacher? for the questions that matter more.

What should families look for in online lessons?

• A live, real teacher with your child speaking for much of the lesson.
• 1-to-1 time that follows your child's level, whatever their school.
• Clear phonics for reading and spelling.
• Feedback after lessons and progress you can see.
• Clear safety rules: checked teachers, lessons only inside the provider's classroom, private contact details and a way to report a concern.

With so many curricula in the region, the CEFR is a helpful common scale. Its early levels for children are Pre-A1, A1 and A2. See CEFR levels for children explained and our safe online tutor checklist.

Can families in the Middle East book CurioKids lessons?

Each country in the Middle East has its own page: our United Arab Emirates page, our Saudi Arabia page, our Qatar page, our Kuwait page, our Bahrain page, our Oman page, our Israel page, our Jordan page, our Türkiye page, our Lebanon page, our Iraq page and our Egypt page. Where lessons are open, you can book a free first lesson there; where they haven't opened yet, leave your details on the page's waitlist and we'll let you know when you can book. Families in Singapore and Malaysia can book now from our Singapore and Malaysia pages.

CurioKids lessons are live and 1-to-1, 25 minutes each, for children aged 4–12, with a real teacher in the CurioKids online classroom. Most children start with Phonics Starter, then move on to CEFR-based levels. See our levels, safety and FAQ pages.