Regional Language Instructors

The Middle East Institute (MEI) is no longer offering language instruction and tutoring, however we are pleased to provide a directory of highly-qualified, native-speaking instructors based in the DC area who are available for hire. View the list below or download as a PDF.

Jump to: Arabic | Hebrew | Persian | Turkish

Arabic

Abir Abyad

  • Email: abirabyad@gmail.com

  • Bio: Abir Abyad has taught Arabic at the University of Virginia and at MEI since 2021. She is has a Ph.D. is a student at GMU, specializing in formal and informal Arabic language instruction.

  • Specialization: Levantine Arabic

  • Availability: Online

Zahraa Alnajjar

  • Email: salamwash@yahoo.com

  • Bio: Professor Zahraa Alnajjar, with over 20 years of experience, is a specialist in Arabic language and culture, having taught in the Middle East and the U.S. She has developed new curricula for US diplomats.

  • Specialization: Formal and Levantine Arabic

  • Availability: Online

Safwat Eldabaa

  • Email: safwatd@gmail.com

  • Bio: With over 18 years of experience teaching Arabic to students from various U.S. departments, Safwat Eldabaa is a certified tester and specializes in Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Dialect.

  • Specialization: Egyptian Arabic

  • Availability: Online and in-person in Northern Virginia

Samir Elshaikh 

  • Email: selshaikh09@gmail.com

  • Bio: I have 7 years of experiences in teaching Arabic for adults, two years were with the Foreign Services Institute, FSI in which I used to teach diplomats and the US embassies personnel Modern Standard Arabic, MSA, and Egyptian dialect.In addition to my teaching experiences, I am an Arabic radio and TV journalist for more than thirty years.

  • Specialization: Linguistics and media. Egyptian dialect. 

  • Availability: Online

Kamal Hadine 

  • Email: kamalhadine@hotmail.com

  • Bio: Kamal Hadine is an experienced Arabic teacher who has taught classes and individuals both in person and online for 20 years at the college level. His particular focus is on reading, writing and grammar in MSA but he has also taught dialects and held discussion groups and conversational classes. He believes in helping students learn to appreciate the beauty of, and to love the Arabic language. Kamal is originally from Morocco but he is an American citizen, and has lived in the Washington, DC area for more than 18 years. He loves Arabic literature and poetry and cats.

  • Specialization: All levels , MSA, Advanced Arabic Literature and grammar for native and non-native speakers. Moroccan and Egyptian dialects. 

  • Availability: Online

Fatima Kharbouch

  • Email: fk42@georgetown.edu

  • Bio: With over 20 years of experience, Fatima Kharbouch specializes in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and has taught at Georgetown University and other institutions in Washington DC. Certified by ACTFL.

  • Specialization: Arabic, French, English, Moroccan Dialect

  • Availability: Flexible

Zainab Kufaishi

  • Email: zainabfaik@gmail.com

  • Bio: An experienced Arabic instructor at various levels. Zainab Kufaishi has taught at Arlington Public School and the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center.

  • Specialization: Iraqi Arabic

  • Availability: Online, open to in-person and travel

Dr. Shaden AlSalman 

  • Email: shadenmms@hotmail.com

  • Bio: Dr. Shaden AlSalman is an Arabic instructor with experience spanning various educational institutions across the Middle East. She possesses extensive knowledge in teaching all facets of the Arabic language at various proficiency levels. She completed her Ph.D. in curriculum design and teaching methodology from The University of Jordan in 2020.

  • Specialization: Arabic (Fusha and Amiyah) - Jordanian, Syrian, Lebanese, Kuwaiti.

  • Availability: Online

Tania Wolfe

  • Email: robtania.wolfe@gmail.com

  • Bio: Born and raised in Nazareth, Israel, Tania Wolfe has been in the linguistics field since 2009. Fluent in Arabic and Hebrew, she specializes in teaching MSA and Levantine Arabic, curriculum development, and translation.

  • Specialization: Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine Arabic

  • Availability: Online

Hebrew

Esther Robbins

  • Email: erobbins1020@gmail.com

  • Bio: A native Israeli, Esther Robbins has taught modern Hebrew at all levels, including at Georgetown and Princeton Universities.

  • Specialization: Modern Hebrew

  • Availability: Mainly online

Persian

Sheri Nayeri

  • Email: snayeri.persian.language@gmail.com

  • Bio: Sheri Nayeri has 20 years of experience teaching Persian. Professor Nayeri created the Persian curriculum and textbook for the beginner through advanced courses at the Middle East Institute. She has experience in testing preparation and cultural training for all age groups. She utilizes the communicative method to help students achieve fluency quickly. 

  • Specialization: Modern Persian (Iran)

  • Availability: Online

Farshid Delshad

  • Email: farshiddelshad@gmail.com

  • Bio: With teaching experience since 1998 across various countries, Farshid Delshad has a rich academic background, including a doctorate in philology. He specializes in languages and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on Persian and Arabic.

  • Specialization: Persian (Farsi, Dari, Tajik)

  • Availability: Online

Turkish

Güniz Evirgen

  • Email: gevirgen@gmail.com

  • Bio: Originally from Istanbul, Turkey. Güniz has nearly 30 years teaching and tutoring experience between Turkey and the U.S. Güniz is interested in Turkish instruction for foreigners, music, and folk dancing.

  • Specialization: Modern Turkish.

  • Availability: Online