Information for term Advanced Arabic Language
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenTake your Arabic to the next level in Amman, the most populous city of Jordan and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. Designed for those with advanced language skills in Arabic, CIEE Amman staff provide students with a combination of language, history, and literature courses, entirely taught in Arabic. You'll be asked to sign a language commitment when enrolling in the program, agreeing only to speak Arabic in your classes to encourage complete language and cultural acquisition. Your commitment to speaking fluent Arabic will help you improve and master your Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Jordanian language skills.
In addition to language immersion, you can expect your courses to be complemented with co-curricular activities and excursions organized by CIEE beyond the city center of Amman to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding and community engagement.
Follow our Travels:
The Take-Aways
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IMMERSE YOURSELF
to build on your studies and improve your Arabic language skills
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SLEEP IN TENTS
in the middle of the desert while exploring the natural wonders of the region and visit the “Rose City” of Petra, a World Heritage Site
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SEE FILMS, LECTURES, AND EXHIBITS
all in the target language of Arabic
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spectator capacity at the Roman Theater
6,000 -
visitors per year
2M+ -
hills form the main cityscape
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Location & Culture
Click to OpenThe Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Visit Jordan’s archaeological, historical, and natural wonders - all with Arabic-speaking guides.
- Participate in weekly co-curricular activities to develop your Arabic language skills and an understanding of local culture.

PROJECTS
- Volunteering at a community kitchen or an orphanage during your time in Amman
- Volunteering for one day: “Adopt” an elementary school in a rural community and help renovate the building while getting to know the children.
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Study abroad students have the option of living with a Jordanian host family or in an apartment with other CIEE program participants. All housing options are a 20 to 40-minute commute to CIEE Center.
Homestays: Homestay placements are based on compatibility between families and students, and in some cases, a suitable homestay may not be available for every interested student. All CIEE housing options in Jordan require students to make adjustments to the host culture, including abiding by curfews, limits on guests, and respectful etiquette.
Student Apartments: Apartments are shared with other CIEE students and have two or three bedrooms per apartment. Each student will have their own bedroom with a shared common space/living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The apartments are equipped with basic home appliances, including a stove, fridge, microwave, and washing machine. CIEE apartments have limits on visitors and quiet hours for safety purposes and deference to local norms.
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MEALS
For students planning to stay for the academic year, meals between the fall and spring semesters are not included in the program fee unless they continue to reside with their homestay family. Students are responsible for their lunches.
Homestay: Students in homestays generally eat two meals a day with their families, and most meals on the weekends.
Student apartments: Students selecting the apartment option need to budget for all meals, as they are not included in the program fee.
Amman, Jordan Where You'll Study
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CIEE AMMAN
Based in a traditional neighborhood, this location allows students plenty of opportunities to interact with local residents and get to key institutions and sites with ease.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
The Advanced Arabic Language program provides students with a full immersion experience commensurate with their abilities and proficiency level. All courses are taught in Arabic and include both subject area content and language instruction. This approach enables students to develop a high level of proficiency in Arabic and gain an in-depth understanding of the culture as well as important issues facing Jordan and the Middle East today. In addition, the program has a language commitment that students agree to at the start of the program during orientation. Students are placed in classes depending on their proficiency level which is determined by the on-site placement test.
CIEE Amman is located in a traditional neighborhood, which allows students plenty of opportunities to interact with local residents and get to know key institutions and sites with ease.
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisites
4 semesters of college-level Modern Standard Arabic or equivalent ability to pass an on-site Arabic proficiency exam and demonstrate oral proficiency at the intermediate mid- to intermediate-high level on the ACTFL scale.
Additional Requirements
3.3 GPA in Modern Standard Arabic, 4 semesters of college-level Modern Standard Arabic or equivalent ability to pass an on-site Arabic proficiency exam. Successful applicants have mastered the concepts covered in the Al-Kitaab series through the second book or equivalent, and demonstrate oral proficiency at the intermediate mid- to intermediate-high level on the ACTFL scale.
Students have two chances to meet the course requirements on the placement exam and then are automatically enrolled in the CIEE Middle East Studies program if they do not.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
- Three required Arabic Language courses
- One Arabic subject elective
Program Credit
Total credit: 16 U.S. semester/24 quarter credits
Course Credit
CIEE courses: 3-6 U.S. semester/4.5-9 quarter credits; 45-140 contact hours
CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
The program is academically and linguistically challenging and requires a solid commitment on the part of students both in and outside of the classroom. Instructors are native Arabic speakers who are trained in their fields and in teaching Arabic language.
Class Format
Classes are small and often taught in tutorial style. Participants take classes only with other students in the Advanced Arabic Language program.
Grading
Grades are assigned based on midterm and final exams, and additional assignments, such as a research paper, homework, quizzes and class presentations. Attendance and class participation are incorporated into the final grade for the program courses. Class attendance is mandatory in all CIEE classes.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
Arabic
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Fall 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenAcademic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
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Fall 2023 16 weeks | Jun 1, 2023 | Aug 27, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
$18,950
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $16,153 ** Housing = $2,300 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $18,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,000 † International Airfare = $1,200 †† Local Transportation = $1,200 Books & Supplies = $150 Visa Fees = $60 Personal expenses = $1,000 ††† Other = $30 †††† Total Estimated Costs = $5,640Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** includes two meals per day during the week, and most weekend meals. † for students in apartments; homestay students should budget $1200 for meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† If you are planning an independent study then budget more for that depending on your plans †††† Covid test fees for entry to the US |
Spring 2024 16 weeks | Nov 1, 2023 | Jan 21, 2024 | May 10, 2024 |
$19,850
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $16,606 ** Housing = $2,750 *** Insurance = $194 Total Fees = $19,850Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $1,440 † International Airfare = $1,200 †† Local Transportation = $1,200 Books & Supplies = $150 Visa Fees = $60 Personal expenses = $225 Total Estimated Costs = $4,275Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** includes two meals per day during the week, and most weekend meals. † For Apartment. Students at Homestays should budget $560 †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
Academic year 2023-2024 37 weeks | Jun 1, 2023 | Aug 27, 2023 | May 10, 2024 |
$36,950
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $31,403 ** Housing = $5,050 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $36,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,000 † International Airfare = $1,200 †† Local Transportation = $1,200 Books & Supplies = $150 Visa Fees = $60 Personal expenses = $1,000 ††† Other = $30 †††† Total Estimated Costs = $5,640Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** includes two meals per day during the week, and most weekend meals. † for students in apartments; homestay students should budget $1200 for meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† If you are planning an independent study then budget more for that depending on your plans †††† Covid test fees for entry to the US |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Zein Nsheiwat
Director
Zein Nsheiwat has been working in the field of study abroad and cross-cultural education since 2007 and completed a MBA in 2022 at TAGUCI in Amman, Jordan.
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Samir Issa
Housing and Logistics Coordinator
Samir manages all aspects of the housing program, and recruits Arabic-speaking host families for CIEE students in Jordan.
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Najeh Abu Orabi
Director of Arabic Instruction
Najeh Abu Orabi, Ph.D., a native of Jordan, has been challenging American students to master the Arabic language for more than a decade.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.