CIEE Language and Culture Program in Amman, Jordan

  Jordan

Amman

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 17 weeks: late August-mid-December; Spring 17 weeks: late January-late May; Academic Year 34 weeks: late August-late May

Description: The Language and Culture program provides a rigorous and challenging academic program combined with in-country cultural experience and intensive Arabic language study. Students gain a greater understanding of the Middle East, with specific emphasis on the Jordanian perspective and experience

Academic Program
The CIEE Language and Culture program offers students a series of specially designed area studies courses in such fields as archaeology, economics, history, international relations, literature, politics, and religion. Area studies courses provide an overview of issues relevant to Jordan and the broader Middle East region. Although there is no language prerequisite, all students are required to take both Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Jordanian Arabic while in Amman.

Academic Culture
The program is academically rigorous and offers focused students an opportunity to make great strides in their language and overall knowledge of the region. Students attend Arabic language courses five days per week in the morning, while area studies courses are held in the afternoon. Area studies classes are relatively small, and lectures tend to be the method of teaching, however instructors welcome questions and discussion. Many of the professors that teach CIEE courses either received degrees in the United States or the United Kingdom, or participated in fellowships abroad and are thus familiar with Western methods of teaching.

The University of Jordans Language Center uses an immersion method for Arabic courses. With the objective of teaching the language holistically, the curriculum focuses on four skill areas: reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. Grammar is taught within these four skills. CIEE students also have access to special Arabic tutoring sessions and weekly, colloquial practice sessions.

Highlights:

• Intensive language courses in modern standard and colloquial Jordanian Arabic; taget language clubs, peer language tutors, and small group study sessions
  
• Community involvement through volunteer opportunities and internships
  
• Area studies courses taught in English and guest lectures on history and curren social, political, and cultural issues
  
• Field trips to important archeological and natural sites in Jordan including Petra, Wadi Rum, and Jerash

Independent Travel
Students are encouraged to travel independently in Jordan during weekends and scheduled breaks. All independent travel during the program requires pre-approval from CIEE resident staff. Any travel outside of Jordan is only permitted after completion of the CIEE Amman Independent Travel Form, approval from their home institution and emergency contact, and review of potential security or safety concerns by the CIEE Resident Director.

Immersion
Volunteering
There are a range of volunteer options available to students, many involving helping others with their English language skills. Previously, students have volunteered with NGOs, a womens rights organization, educational institutions, and organizations in the for-profit sector. Volunteer service does not receive academic credit and is subject to availability and placement based on language skills.

Peer Language Tutors
CIEE recruits peer language tutors from the Department of Arabic at the University of Jordan. Students are encouraged to meet with their language partners for up to three hours peer week to practice conversation, explore the University, and expand their understanding of the host culture.understanding of the host culture.

Language Clubs
CIEE organizes a series of Arabic clubs that complements students instruction in the language. The clubs cover conversation, poetry, dance, music, basic grammar, and Arabic calligraphy. Students are expected to attend one club session per week. attend one club session per week.

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes