The CLS Program in Nizwa, Oman is hosted by the Noor Majan Arabic Institute (NMAI). The institute offers an interactive learning experience in an encouraging environment. Throughout the summer, students use all the opportunities the program provides to challenge themselves to grow their Arabic language skills to the highest levels while gaining valuable insight into Oman’s unique culture.

Students participate in an average of fifteen hours per week of formal language instruction. Classes focus on the major skills of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) including grammar, pronunciation, reading, writing, and listening comprehension. NMAI also provides the unique opportunity to improve Arabic skills for understanding the media, as well as the Omani dialect. Over the course of just eight weeks, students can expect to cover the equivalent of one year of Arabic instruction at the university level.

In addition to formal classwork, students meet each week with language partners in one-on-one sessions to practice their growing Arabic skills in a more relaxed environment. An additional benefit of the language partner portion of the program is that students gain greater insight into Omani cultural norms and customs. Students live in the NMAI dormitories throughout the program in double occupancy apartments with access to a shared kitchen, living, and bathroom space. On select weekends students visit their language partner’s family and an Omani host family. This unique experience helps students to further understand Omani social norms, family dynamics, and the culture of being a guest in someone’s home.

As part of the program, students participate in co-curricular activities and excursions to both broaden and deepen their understanding of Omani culture and history. In the past, students have had the opportunity to participate in an Arabic language table with local citizens and activists, visit an Omani date farm, learn Arabic calligraphy skills, as well as participate in cultural activities with members of the host community.