Language courses in Dubai are taught by two kinds of provider: official cultural institutes linked to a country (Goethe-Institut for German, Alliance Française for French, the Confucius Institute at the University of Dubai for Chinese, and the Italian Cultural Institute in Abu Dhabi online), and multi-language institutes such as Eton Institute and Berlitz. Almost all teach to the CEFR scale from A1 to C2 and start with a placement test.
Cultural institutes are usually the best route if you need an official certificate for study or migration, such as Goethe-Zertifikat, DELF or HSK. Multi-language institutes are more flexible for less common languages and private lessons. For English, see English courses in Dubai.
- Chinese at CIUD
- AED 3,670 per semester incl. materials (University of Dubai site, Oct 2026)
- Italian online (IIC Abu Dhabi)
- €390 group course of 3 months; €540 one-to-one cycle (IIC Abu Dhabi site, Oct 2026)
- Alliance Française Dubai
- AED 100 registration fee, valid 12 months (provider site, Oct 2026)
- Official exam centres
- Goethe (German), Alliance Française (DELF/DALF), CIUD (HSK)
- Level framework
- CEFR A1 to C2
- Group course length (Eton)
- 12 sessions per level; 2 to 8 weeks
Cultural institutes that teach in Dubai and the UAE
| Language | Institute | Location and format | Exams | Published fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| German | Goethe-Institut Gulf Region | Dubai office, Sharaf DG Building, Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai; on-site and online; kids 9 to 16, private lessons | Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2, TestDaF, TestAS, Goethe-Test PRO | Not on course page |
| French | Alliance Française Dubai | Oud Metha and Dubai Knowledge Park; group, private, online; toddlers to teens | DELF, DALF, DELF Prim, TEF/TCF Canada | AED 100 registration (provider site, Oct 2026); tuition on request |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | Confucius Institute at the University of Dubai (CIUD) | UD campus, Dubai Academic City; two semesters a year | Authorised HSK test centre | AED 3,670 per semester (University of Dubai site, Oct 2026) |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | Confucius Institute at Zayed University | Public courses, beginner to advanced; campus not stated | Not stated | Not published |
| Italian | Italian Cultural Institute Abu Dhabi (CLID Emirates, with University for Foreigners of Siena) | Online via Zoom, A1 to B1, 3-month courses | Attendance certificate and 2 ECTS credits (not CILS/CELI) | €390 group; €540 one-to-one (IIC Abu Dhabi site, Oct 2026) |
Multi-language institutes in Dubai
| Provider | Location | Languages | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eton Institute | Dubai Knowledge Park, Block 3; Abu Dhabi | Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Hindi and more | Group, live online, private, corporate; states KHDA licence and EAQUALS accreditation; ÖSD German exam venue |
| Berlitz | Jumeirah and JLT | Contact for availability; features English, Spanish, French, German | Group face to face or online; private intensive |
| Edoxi | Near Burjuman Metro | Spoken Arabic, French, German | Classroom and online |
These providers did not publish tuition fees on the pages checked in October 2026. Eton lists 12 group sessions (22.5 hours for Arabic) or 10 private sessions per level, completed in 2 to 8 weeks.
Arabic language courses in Dubai
Decide first between Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), used in writing, news and formal settings, and a spoken dialect. Eton Institute offers both MSA and Emirati Arabic, with morning, evening and weekend sessions, conversational classes, and tutoring for school exams (IB, IGCSE, GCSE, A-Level). Alliance Française Dubai also lists Arabic classes for adults, and Edoxi lists a Spoken Arabic course. For teens, ask whether the course follows the school Arabic curriculum or is conversation-only.
German language courses in Dubai and studying in Germany
The Goethe-Institut Gulf Region runs standard and intensive courses on-site in Bur Dubai and online, plus exam preparation for A1 to B2. It is also the exam centre for Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2, TestDaF (German proficiency for university entry) and TestAS (aptitude test for international students). Eton Institute is a test venue for ÖSD German exams.
If you plan to study in Germany from the UAE, check whether your programme is taught in English or German. German-taught degrees usually ask for a recognised certificate such as TestDaF or a Goethe-Zertifikat; check the exact level on the university's own page. For broader study abroad planning, see study in UAE.
Free German language courses in Dubai could not be verified. The Goethe-Institut's course page does not list a free option.
French, Italian and Spanish courses
French: Alliance Française Dubai runs group classes from complete beginner, workshops, private tuition and kids and teen programmes, and is an official centre for DELF and DALF certificates awarded by the French Ministry of Education. It also runs TEF and TCF Canada exams used for Canadian immigration. A one-time AED 100 registration fee applies, valid for 12 months (Alliance Française Dubai site, Oct 2026); a placement test fee for non-beginners is deducted from tuition.
Italian: the Italian Cultural Institute in Abu Dhabi runs CLID Emirates online courses with the University for Foreigners of Siena: A1 to B1, 3 hours a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 months, groups of 5 to 18. The group course costs €390 including a €16 stamp duty (IIC Abu Dhabi site, Oct 2026). Eton Institute offers in-person Italian in Dubai.
Spanish: available at Eton Institute and Berlitz. If you need the DELE exam, confirm the nearest official exam centre with Instituto Cervantes before booking a preparation course.
Language classes for kids and teens in Dubai
Several institutes run separate programmes for children, usually after school or at weekends:
- Alliance Française Dubai: French programmes for toddlers, young children (3 to 6), children (7 to 10) and teenagers (11 to 15), plus classes for native French speakers and DELF Prim certificates for younger learners.
- Goethe-Institut Gulf Region: German courses for children and teenagers aged 9 to 16, on-site and online.
- Eton Institute: young learner programmes and tutoring for school exams such as IGCSE and A-Level, including Arabic courses for teens.
For school students, ask whether the course follows the CEFR or the school's own curriculum, and whether it can prepare for an official certificate the child can use later for university applications.
Chinese, Russian and Turkish courses
Chinese: the Confucius Institute at the University of Dubai teaches General Chinese levels over two semesters a year at AED 3,670 per semester including registration and materials, issues a University of Dubai certificate per level, and is an authorised HSK test centre (University of Dubai site, Oct 2026). It also runs Chinese for special purposes for workplaces.
Russian and Turkish: Eton Institute lists both. Ask for a CEFR-based syllabus and whether the course prepares for an official exam (for example TORFL for Russian) if you need certification.
How to choose a language course in Dubai
- Decide if you need a certificate: for study, work or migration, choose a provider that prepares for or hosts the official exam.
- Take a placement test and ask how many hours each CEFR level takes.
- Check the licence: Dubai institutes should hold a KHDA permit; check it on KHDA's register.
- Compare price per contact hour, adding registration, books and exam fees.
- Match the timetable: evening, weekend and online options; kids' classes after school.
- Check class size and teacher background (native speaker or certified language teacher).
Questions and answers
Where can I learn German in Dubai?
The Goethe-Institut Gulf Region runs German courses at its Bur Dubai office and online, and Eton Institute and Edoxi also teach German. Goethe is the official centre for Goethe-Zertifikat and TestDaF exams.
How much are language courses in Dubai?
Published examples include AED 3,670 per semester for Chinese at the University of Dubai's Confucius Institute and €390 for a 3-month online Italian group course from the Italian Cultural Institute (provider sites, Oct 2026). Many institutes quote only after a placement test.
Is there an Italian cultural institute in Dubai?
The Italian Cultural Institute is in Abu Dhabi. Its CLID Emirates Italian courses run online, so learners in Dubai can join.
Can I take the DELF exam in Dubai?
Yes. Alliance Française Dubai is an official centre for DELF and DALF and also runs TEF and TCF Canada exams.
Should I learn Modern Standard Arabic or Emirati Arabic?
Choose MSA for reading, writing and formal settings, and Emirati or Gulf spoken Arabic for daily conversation. Eton Institute offers both.
Are there free German courses in Dubai?
This guide could not verify any free German classroom course in Dubai. Some free online self-study material exists, but official certificates require paid exams.
Sources
- Goethe-Institut Gulf Region: German courses in Dubai
- Alliance Française Dubai: Home page
- University of Dubai: Confucius Institute (CIUD), learn Chinese
- Zayed University: Confucius Institute programmes
- Italian Cultural Institute Abu Dhabi: CLID Emirates Italian courses
- Eton Institute: German courses
- Eton Institute: Arabic courses
- Berlitz UAE: Group classes May 2026 promotion
- Edoxi: Dubai course sitemap
Last checked: 15 October 2026