Amman - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is widely spoken. It is polite to say hello and goodbye in Arabic but all of the places I have been in the expat area are easily navigated with English only. - Apr 2025
Not much, people are kind and patient with you. - Aug 2023
You can get by with English but won’t be able to connect with locals. Learning a little Arabic goes a long way in casual encounters. The post language program contracts with a company whose teachers have no teaching experience and no course resources, so, in my opinion, it’s not great. - Aug 2023
Most is in English if you want it to be, but a small amount of Arabic shows good faith. - Jul 2023
It helps to have some Arabic, taxi drivers or Uber drivers may speak very little English. And of course, it's nice to show that you tried to learn the local language. Otherwise, not very necessary. You can sign up for the language program with the embassy. - Mar 2023
I don't speak Arabic and get by just fine although I am sure I am missing a lot of the finer points. Most people, at least in Amman, speak at least some English. The Embassy offers classes if you are interested in learning. - Jul 2022
Most educated people in Amman speak English. Outside of Amman, most speak Arabic. You don't need Arabic to get around Jordan, but you will quickly learn the pleasantries of the Arabic language enough to make it fun to engage with non-English speakers. - Oct 2021
Inside Amman, most folks speak some or a lot of English. Outside of Amman, not so much. You can take classes through the Embassy or local tutors. - Apr 2021
English is sufficient, and a few Arabic words go a long way. - Feb 2021
The more language you know the better your experience as with living anywhere. You can manage in Amman very well without Arabic as the general population is so well educated. Outside of the city it is more of an issue. Classes are readily available. - Jan 2021
None. I started taking the free embassy-provided arabic classes but you don't really need it. - Dec 2020
Minimal Arabic required. Helpful if you need to take a taxi but Uber is very reliable and no Arabic needed. - Sep 2020
There were classes at the embassy. We managed without knowing much of any Arabic, but there were definitely times it would have been helpful. - Sep 2018
Most everyone speaks a decent level of English. That being said, it's always nice to know some Arabic. There are (free to us) local language classes offered through the embassy, and tutors are available and affordable. - Sep 2018
Arabic classes are widely available but, to be honest, I have never met anyone who achieved anything close to working proficiency through such classes. Arabic is not something you dabble in, either do some sort of immersion or just content yourself with simple phrasebook level.
The truth is, you can get by quite well with English. - Mar 2017
In Abdoun, where the embassy is, not much. Once you leave the neighborhood you will need some. - Mar 2016
A bit--while western Amman is very western-leaning (and most people speak English), knowing the basics has helped a lot. - Mar 2016
It isn't necessary to learn Arabic. I do pointing and right/left hand gestures when taking a taxi. - Nov 2015
Jordanians speak surprisingly good English. You can get by with a few Arab pleasantries. But knowing Arabic will help when you leave Amman. - May 2015
A lot of people speak at least some English but having Arabic is helpful for taxis, ordering food, and communicating with building caretakers. - Mar 2015
In Abdoun and the tourist spots, very little. In the rest of Jordan, you need to know some Arabic. MSA is different than the local dialect, so be aware that even if you think you're speaking Arabic, locals may not understand. - Jul 2014
Not much, Jordanians love to speak English though it comes in handy with cab drivers, working people, and outside of Amman. - Mar 2014
English is common in the area where we live, but knowing some Arabic helps a lot. - Dec 2013
None, you can get by with English. But knowing some Arabic will go a long way in opening doors. - Aug 2013
None in western Amman, but like most places you can have a better adventure if you learn the language. - Jul 2013
It helps to know some of the local dialect, but you don't need to know a lot to get by. - May 2013
None - Mar 2013
Almost none. Pretty much everyone speaks English. It is such a blessing as Arabic is a difficult language. - Apr 2012
Around the diplomatic areas, no arabic is necessary. Even out and about in the rest of town, it's not difficult to get around. Many many people speak English here. - Mar 2012
In West Amman, everyone speaks English. In East Amman you may need Arabic, but at all the major tourist spots people will speak English. - Mar 2012
It helps to have it but it's not that necessary as most Jordanians speak really good English. In the posher parts of town like Abdoun, you may try to speak Arabic with folks but they'll respond to you in perfect English. - Aug 2011
Very little. MANY people speak English. I really only used local greetings and otherwise could always find someone that spoke English. And they like to use their English. They are very proud of themselves when they do! - Aug 2011
