The CLS Program in Amman, Jordan is hosted by the Jordan Language Academy (JLA). JLA is a private independent institution that aims to teach Arabic language and culture to promote international and intercultural understanding. During the program, students broaden their linguistic knowledge of Arabic while learning about Jordanian culture and contemporary issues in the region.

At JLA, students participate in an average of eighteen hours a week of instruction in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and the Jordanian dialect. Studying the dialect is important to help facilitate students’ ability to navigate daily life in Amman and make connections with host community members. Over just eight weeks, CLS students can expect to cover the equivalent of one academic year of college-level Arabic.

In Amman, students live with host families to gain insight into Jordanian family life and practice their language skills. As a part of the family, students learn about aspects of Jordanian culture typically reserved for the private sphere. Students may learn how to cook mansaf and visit extended family on the weekends. In addition to the host family experience, students meet with a Jordanian language partner for one-on-one meetings each week. These meetings are designed to provide a more relaxed environment for students to practice conversational Arabic skills and gain further insight into Jordanian culture. Most language partners at JLA are local college students or recent graduates who are enthusiastic about sharing all their city has to offer.

Spending the summer in Amman gives students an incredible opportunity to discover Arab pop culture and food and meet people from a wide range of backgrounds. During co-curricular activities and excursions, students grow their understanding of Jordanian culture and business. In previous years, students have learned how to make traditional Jordanian fattoush salad and participated in a hands on calligraphy workshop. Jordan has a deep, rich history that students are encouraged to explore during their free time. On free weekends, previous students have visited historical sites such as Petra and Jerash.