Summer Programs Advance Arabic Language Learning

American students arrived in Muscat in June excited to begin a learning experience that would improve their Arabic and introduce them to the diverse and striking culture of Oman.  The 19 undergraduates  were enrolled in Amideast’s Summer Intensive Arabic Program in Oman — a course that packed 100 hours of instruction in Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Omani Arabic into a four-week period, covering the same material that would typically be taught during a semester in the United States. 
Students in the AMIDEAST Abroad Arabic summer program in Oman.

Many students took two sessions, enabling them to make strides in tackling what is arguably one of the world’s most challenging languages. Their extended stay, moreover, gave them time to explore the country, deepening their familiarity with the country’s cultural riches, welcoming population, and natural beauty, while also providing opportunities to practice Arabic. 

The gains these students made toward mastering Arabic were also realized by students who opted for Amideast’s summer intensive Arabic programs in Jordan and Morocco. More than 150 students in all enrolled in these Amideast programs during summer 2014. 

By partnering with a number of institutions, Amideast was also able to provide a customized learning experience for nearly 120 additional students— among them, a dozen students seeking to improve their understanding of peace and conflict resolution dynamics in Jordan, and around 100 college and high school students in U.S. Department of State-funded critical language programs in Jordan, Morocco, and Oman.

Summer programs are an important part of Amideast’s ongoing effort to provide quality in-region learning experiences for young people seeking to learn Arabic and deepen their understanding of this globally important region.  From a single semester program launched in Morocco in 2007, Amideast now offers a variety of summer, semester, and full academic year programs in several locations — an expansion that reflects the rising interest of American students in Arabic language studies and the region.