In this article
- Who These Classes Help
- Timing in Saudi Arabia
- Online Classes or a Local Halaqa?
- Learning Paths
- For Expat Children
- For Sisters
- Making the Most of Living in an Arabic-Speaking Country
- A First Month for an Adult Beginner
- A Sample Plan for an Expat Family in Riyadh
- Prices and Payment
- About the Teachers
- Start with a Free Trial Class
- Frequently Asked Questions
Many expat Muslims in Saudi Arabia live close to mosques and Quran circles, but the teaching there is usually in Arabic. Families who are more comfortable in English, or who want one-to-one attention for their children, often prefer online classes where the teacher explains in English. Saudi Arabia is only 0 to 1 hour ahead of Cairo, so classes fall at normal hours for both sides.
Who These Classes Help
- Expat children in international schools: who need explanations in English.
- Parents who want to improve their recitation: often to help their children at home.
- New Muslims: starting from the letters in a calm, one-to-one setting.
- Sisters: who prefer a female teacher.
- Students preparing for Hifz or an Ijazah who want a fixed teacher and a structured plan.
Timing in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia uses one time zone all year. Cairo is 1 hour behind Saudi Arabia in winter and on the same time in summer, when Egypt uses summer time. The Saudi weekend is Friday and Saturday. Classes run 24/7. Common slots:
| Saudi time | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Sunday to Thursday, 4:00 PM | Children after school |
| Sunday to Thursday, 8:30 PM | Working parents after dinner |
| Friday, after Asr | Family learning on the weekend |
| Saturday, 10:00 AM | Weekend learners and Hifz revision |
Online Classes or a Local Halaqa?
A local halaqa at the mosque offers community and a strong Quran environment, and many children benefit from it. Online classes add things some expat families need: explanations in English, a one-to-one teacher who listens to every word, no traffic on Riyadh or Jeddah roads, and a monthly progress report. Many families combine both: the halaqa for community and online classes for focused correction.
Learning Paths
- Reading from the letters: the Noor Al-Bayan course, for children from 6 years old and for adults.
- Tajweed: the recitation and Tajweed course.
- Hifz: structured memorization and revision in online Hifz classes.
- Ijazah: an Ijazah in Hafs from Asim, $100 paid once.
- Ten Qiraat: Sughra and Kubra, for advanced students.
- Arabic: Arabic for kids and Arabic for adults, to understand the language around you as well as the Quran.
For Expat Children
Children who grow up in Saudi Arabia hear Arabic around them but may still read the Quran slowly or with non-Arabic pronunciation. In one-to-one classes the teacher corrects each letter, and explains the meaning of rules in English. Many families choose 8 classes a month for reading and Tajweed, and 16 for Hifz. See our Quran classes for kids.
For Sisters
Female teachers are available. The sisters memorization course is taught by female teachers only, for female students. Mornings after the school run and evenings after the children sleep are popular times. See our women’s program.
Making the Most of Living in an Arabic-Speaking Country
- Listen around you: recitation in the mosque, the adhan and everyday Arabic all train your ear.
- Use what you learn: greet in Arabic, read street signs and shop names.
- Combine Quran and Arabic: words you learn in Arabic classes often appear in the Quran, and the reverse.
- Join a local halaqa as well: reciting in a group, after correction in one-to-one classes, builds confidence.
A First Month for an Adult Beginner
- Week 1: a level check and the first letters, with sounds that are new for English speakers.
- Week 2: more letters and how they join.
- Week 3: vowels and reading short syllables.
- Week 4: reading simple words and the first monthly progress report.
A Sample Plan for an Expat Family in Riyadh
- Daughter, 9: Tajweed with a female teacher, Sunday and Tuesday at 4:00 PM.
- Son, 12: Hifz, Sunday to Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
- Mother: Tajweed with a female teacher, Monday and Wednesday at 10:00 AM.
- Father: Arabic for adults, Friday after Asr and Saturday morning.
Each person has their own one-to-one plan, and a 10% family discount applies.
Prices and Payment
- $5 per 30-minute class; $40 a month for 8 classes or $80 for 16.
- 20% off annual plans; 10% family discount.
- A free trial class with no payment.
Prices are in US dollars. Payment is by PayPal, Visa, Mastercard or bank transfer.
About the Teachers
All teachers are certified from Al-Azhar University and hold an Ijazah with a connected Sanad. Classes are taught in English, Arabic and French. Elbayan Academy is an independent online academy based in Cairo and has no office in Saudi Arabia.
Also see our guide for expat children learning Arabic in the UAE and our online Quran classes for adults.
Elsewhere in the Gulf? See our guides for Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
See also our guides for Oman and Jordan.
Start with a Free Trial Class
Elbayan Academy teaches one-to-one, 30-minute online classes with certified teachers from Al-Azhar University, each holding an Ijazah with a connected Sanad. Female teachers are available, classes run 24/7, and you receive a monthly progress report. Plans are $40 a month for 8 classes or $80 for 16. Book a free trial class on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there online Quran classes in English for expats in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Elbayan Academy teaches one-to-one online classes in English, Arabic and French, which suits expat families in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and elsewhere.
What is the time difference between Saudi Arabia and Cairo?
Cairo is 1 hour behind Saudi Arabia in winter and on the same time in summer.
Can classes be on Friday and Saturday?
Yes. Classes run 24/7, including the Saudi weekend.
Are female teachers available?
Yes. Female teachers are available, and the sisters memorization course is taught by female teachers only.
Does the academy have an office in Saudi Arabia?
No. Elbayan Academy is online only and based in Cairo.
