The official language of Lebanon is Arabic. One thing that most Arabic-learners find when coming to Lebanon, is that the formal Arabic that is taught in schools does not resemble the day-to-day variety of Arabic that is spoken by everyone. Many Arabic language scholars refer to this variety as Lebanese Arabic or Levantine Arabic. You may find that many of the words in formal Arabic have a Lebanese equivalent that is quite different. Most individuals who choose to study formal Arabic have goals related to reading publications and understanding news broadcasts, while who choose to study Lebanese Arabic have goals related to gaining proficiency in everyday communication. There are several institutes in and around Beirut who teach one or both types of Arabic, two of the most common being ALPS (located in Hamra), and the Saifi Institute (located in Gemmayze). Another option for those seeking to learn Arabic can generally find private tutors in their area of residence.

In addition to Arabic, French is widely spoken amongst many communities as it holds a special status in Lebanon having been the official language during the French Mandate period (1923-1943). Nowadays, greater emphasis is being placed on English as the second language, and you’ll find that English is widely spoken in Lebanon. In fact, English is so widely spoken, that it can sometimes present difficulties for English-speaking foreigners trying to learn Arabic, as many Lebanese will switch into English to acommodate you even if you're trying to stick to practicing Arabic. Nevertheless, persistence is key, and it’s usually taken as an admirable gesture to make a genuine attempt at learning the local language.