CIEE Arabic Language

» General Information

Location:

Amman, Jordan (population: 2.5 million)

Description:

This program is designed for students who already have a solid foundation in Modern Standard Arabic and seek to attain proficiency in the language. In addition to advanced language instruction in Modern Standard Arabic, students have equivalent instruction in Colloquial Jordanian Arabic. Elective classes in the target language emphasize different linguistic skill sets, such as reading comprehension, while offering a variety of subject matter. Students also receive training in cross-cultural communication to augment their advanced linguistic skills.

Terms:

Fall Semester (Fall Quarter), Spring Semester (Winter/Spring Quarters), Full Year

Sponsor:

CIEE

Website:

CIEE Arabic Language


» Other Programs in Jordan

Language Requirements

Required: 5 semesters (7 quarters) of college-level Modern Standard Arabic or the equivalent

Program Requirements

3.3 GPA in Modern Standard Arabic

Academic Specialties

The University of Jordan’s 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.

Course Type

The program is academically and linguistically challenging and requires a solid commitment on the part of students. Classes are small, often taught tutorial style, and require discipline and sustained effort both in and outside of the classroom. Instructors are native Arabic speakers, trained in their fields and teaching Arabic language.

CIEE requires that all participants enroll in the following courses:
•    Advanced Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) – 5 credits
•    Advanced Topics in Arabic Conversation – 4 credits
•    Intercultural Communication – 1 credit
•    2 electives in literature, history, media, or business communication, taught in Arabic – 6 credits
Academic year students do not repeat the Intercultural Communication course in their second semester, and they may undertake an internship in lieu of an elective.

Additional Information

Additional opportunities include:
  • Community involvement through volunteer opportunities.
  • Field trips to important archeological and natural sites in Jordan including Petra, Wadi Rum, and Jerash, a one-day trip to archaeological sites in the north of Jordan, and a camping trip in one of the Kingdom’s nature reserves.
  • Cultural and educational activities such as visits to museums, theaters, and galleries.
  • For-credit internships: Interested students are placed in pre-screened internship opportunities with a non-governmental organization which may be involved in community development, public opinion, social welfare, women’s rights and political participation, environmental protection, or women’s studies.

Housing

Students are housed in Arabic-speaking home stays. Home stay families provide two meals per day during the week and three meals per day on weekends. Lunch is at the students’ expense during the week.

Program Costs

TBA

Approximate Program Size

10-15 students

Application Requirements

Prior to receiving an application, all Northwestern students must complete the following steps:
  1. Complete the mandatory Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard. Call 847-467-6400 or e-mail studyabroad@northwestern.edu (include your name and netID) to register for this quiz.
  2. After recieving a score of 90% or above, students can pick up the Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad at the Study Abroad Office. This application it is not available online.
Northwestern students must complete two applications for this program:
  1. CIEE application, available on the CIEE web site. It is generally due March 15th for fall semester/full year and October 15th for spring semester, but consult CIEE's web site for the most recent deadlines.
  2. Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad.

Contact Returnees

As this is a newly affiliated program, Northwestern's first returnees will return to campus in 2010. Please email Michelle Gere for more information about the program.