Learn Arabic in Yemen

  Yemen

Sana'a

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 
Dates: Start dates at least twice a month, all year round.

Description: Our school, located close to al-Ga Square, was established in 1990 and is located in the city center of Sana'a only 200 meters from the main post office.

The school is a high standard and offers good classrooms, living area and audio labs. Women will be subject to dress rules and local codes of behaviour.

Admission to the Arabic Program is open to students at any level of ability. Although most students study for five- to ten week terms, framework courses can be designed for just several weeks in length up to however long a student wishes to study.

All teachers place the greatest emphasis on developing a student's ability to speak and comprehend listening to native speakers. Although taught in class, reading and writing are particularly emphasized in homework assignments. Outside of class, all teachers maintain office hours during which students may visit for additional help.

The school attempts to preserve the smallest class size possible in order to maximize the student teacher interaction and to personalize course work to the students' individual interests and abilities.

The Arabic study program is organized around a set of basic objectives and a core curriculum, designed by the teaching staff for every level and stage of instruction offered. In the past, for example, this discretionary time has been spent studying Yemeni music and poetry.

Languages other than Arabic are not permitted during the lesson, except at the beginning level when students have not yet acquired sufficient vocabulary to understand grammar and vocabulary explanations in Arabic. Even in these instances, however, the teacher will use only as much English as absolutely necessary.

Highlights: Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, is an ancient walled city reputedly founded by Shem, one of the three sons of Noah. The city contains, among other sights, what may be the oldest apartment buildings on earth.

Sana'a, has been an important citadel along the trade route between Aden and Mecca, dates back to the first century and, according to popular legend, to early biblical days.

The citadel, Qasr al-Silah, was rebuilt after the arrival of Islam in the 7th century and is still intact. The remains of the city walls surround the old center. The 1000-year-old Bab al-Yemen Market is divided into 40 different crafts and trades.

The spice market is one of the best to visit, standing out from the rest by the rich aroma of incense and famed Arabian spices. Other markets include the Souk al-Nahaas, once the copper market, now selling embroidered headdresses, belts and jambias (curved daggers).

The Great Mosque of Sana'a is the oldest and largest of the mosques in Sana'a and one of the oldest in the Muslim world, constructed in the lifetime of the Prophet and enlarged in AD705. The layout is typical of early Islamic architecture, with an open, square courtyard, surrounded by roofed galleries.

Cost in US$: 2 weeks from $910 USD

Use of teaching materials and instructional documents.
Placement test on the first morning at beginning of course.
Accommodation in school residence, private room (no meals are included)
Cultural and social activities.
Language proficiency certificate at end of program upon request.
Airport pick-up at the Sana'a International Airport (SAH)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Yemen Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of Max 6

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application