Experienced Arabic tutor offers Modern Standard Arabic lessons for school-age learners up to Year 9

Find out more about Joelle

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak Lebanese Arabic fluently because I am Lebanese and lived most of my life in Lebanon. Lebanese language is part of my identity. At school, I was fortunate to have exceptional Arabic teachers who made me truly love the language — they brought it to life, made it exciting, and inspired me to appreciate its richness. Their passion shaped the way I teach today.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Ziad El Rahbani. He is one of the most iconic figures of Lebanese culture because he captured the Lebanese dialect exactly as people speak it, with its humour, rhythm, sarcasm, and sprinkles of French words. Through his theatre, music, and characters, he brought everyday Lebanese Arabic to life and made it part of our cultural identity. His work reflects the real struggles and identity of Lebanon, not just the idealised version, and that makes him a powerful representative of the language’s culture.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  “Ya3tik l 3afyeh” is my favourite Lebanese expression. It means “may He give you strength,” and we use it to show appreciation and respect for someone’s effort. It reflects the kindness and respect that's at the heart of Lebanese culture.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking Lebanese matters to me because it’s more than a language — it’s a doorway into our culture. As a Lebanese living in London, I see how understanding the language helps people understand our behaviour, our way of thinking, and our social dynamics. It’s essential for anyone who wants to connect deeply with Lebanese people and culture.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  The main difficulty is practicing Lebanese Arabic with natives. Lebanese people aren’t always used to speaking with non‑native learners, so they may over‑correct or lose patience, which can discourage students. What helps most is guided practice with a tutor who creates a supportive environment, introduces real conversational situations, and builds confidence step by step.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  I learned English at university, mostly through reading novels. So when I moved to the UK and attended a job interview, I confidently said, “I will ponder over the offer.” My friends later explained that, although correct, it sounded far too literary for everyday English. It was a funny reminder that learning a language from books is very different from speaking it in real life.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I’m currently learning Romanian myself, and it has been an eye‑opening experience. Being on the learner’s side — making mistakes, struggling with pronunciation, and slowly finding fluency — helped me understand what real progress feels like. It also showed me how important it is to break the fear barrier that many students have. This experience has shaped my Lebanese Arabic course to be more supportive, empathetic, and confidence‑building.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I am a Superprof in the Lebanese language because I combine deep linguistic and cultural expertise with a genuine passion for teaching. I specialise in helping students speak Lebanese Arabic naturally and confidently, even if they start with no background in the language. From the very first lesson, I focus on accent reduction, pronunciation, and real conversational skills. My greatest satisfaction is seeing a student visit Lebanon or speak with Arabic speakers and be told they sound Lebanese or must have Lebanese roots. That transformation is what drives my teaching.