Learn Arabic in Jordan

Go to Main Page

The program is designed for students who have an interest in Jordan and the Middle East. Courses in the Arabic language are taught by highly qualified tutors of wide experience in teaching Arabic for non-native speakers.

The MLC has developed a unique curriculum, which combines various teaching methods and curricula to help students build confidence in their command of the Arabic language. To help build a thorough command of the language, classroom instruction takes a balanced approached to the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

MLC currently utilizes the Al-Kitaab and Alef Baa book series as textbooks, allowing for a seamless transition between MLC and study of the Arabic language in the student’s home country, or an excellent additional resource for language learners.

Arabic Program Goals

The MLC prides itself on a strong Arabic Language program, with goals as diverse as the students who study here. The purpose of our program is to foster proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) to a level that would allow for a student to converse comfortably in major subjects and disciplines, and to push students to understand Arabic texts, including news media, literature, and Islamic texts, as they advance beyond the rudimentary levels of language acquisition.

Students studying at MLC have the unique advantage of being able to learn the Jordanian dialect of Arabic, a dialect that allows the student to understand other Arabic dialects from the Middle East, as well as Classical Arabic, with relative ease.

Students are placed in an environment that not only encourages language acquisition, but also encourages the acquisition of Middle Eastern culture and history. This is accomplished in and outside of the classroom, through host families and MLC-sponsored trips.

Types of Courses

1-Mainstream Program

The Mainstream Program is MLC’s general Arabic language program. This program follows the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), offering levels of study from A1 (basic user) through to C2 (proficient user). Students’ proficiency will be assessed upon arrival, allowing placement in the appropriate level.

Each course consists of four hours of daily classroom instruction. Classroom time is broken into two sections: one practical conversation class, and one grammar, vocabulary, and language instruction class. Students can choose from morning or evening sessions, with the four hours of instruction running either from 09:15-13:05 or 16:15-20:05.

Class size will depend on student enrolment, but may vary between one and seven students.

2- Colloquial Arabic (CA) or Ammeya

Our Colloquial Arabic Program comprises of six levels, all of which are designed to help students converse in Ammeya in situations which occur in daily life. The focus of this program is  speaking, and throughout the six levels, students will master the ability to discuss cultural and historical aspects of Arab life, express opinions and use compound sentences, describe places and people, learn valuable vocabulary for everyday shopping or emergency situations, and much more.

3- Arabic for Special Purposes (AFSP)

This course is designed for students who wish to continue their Arabic studies and already have a strong foundation in the language. Students who have been studying for two or more years have the opportunity to achieve an in-depth focus of a specific topic. This topic will be explored through extensive reading and listening materials, with discussion on the detailed source materials to enhance the student’s study. The topics currently covered by AFSP are as follows.

• Classical Arabic

Classical Arabic, or Quranic Arabic, is the form of the Arabic language which is used in literary texts from Umayyad and Abbasid times (7th-9th centuries). It is based on the medieval dialects of various Arab tribes.

• Diplomats’ Program

This program is designed to help diplomatic personnel improve their Arabic language skills, specifically addressing the needs of the language they face within their daily operations at work.

• Understanding the Middle East

This program is designed to give students an in-depth understanding of Arab culture, history, politics, and The Formation of Arab Reason.

• Arabic for Media

Demand for speaking Arabic at a level which allows a student to understand media has increased since the Arab Spring revolutions and Arab-Israeli conflict has thrust the Middle East and Arab culture into the media spotlight. MLC seeks to meet this increasing demand through the Arabic for Media program, a course focussing on Arabic-language media, economics, and politics.

• Arabic Grammar (Nah’w)

This is a course focused on helping a student gain an advanced understanding of Arabic grammar. Students will focus on understanding and practicing Nah’w, and analyzing syntax, word, and phrase functions in sentences.

• Quranic Recitation and Memorization (Tajweed and Hifiz)

In this program students in an intimate environment with instructors, generally a one-on-one or two-on-one classroom approach. Student’s Arabic level and background are taken into consideration when forming classes.

• Arabic and Islamic Culture & Studies

During this course, students focus on learning about many different cultural aspects of the Middle East. Topics covered include different religions of the Middle East, traditions and habits of Arab and Islamic culture, historical and modern events, and famous figures in Islamic history.

• Arabic Calligraphy

In this course students learn the long-standing Arabic tradition of ornamental Arabic writing, and explore different styles of Arabic calligraphy.

Why study at the Modern Language Center?

The Modern Language Center is the oldest language institute in Amman, and its reputation and rigorous course load have led to its accreditation by CaMLA, the Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments.

The administration strives to meet the needs of the students from arrival to departure in Jordan, making their stay as easy and stress-free as possible. Students receive an orientation about life in Jordan upon arrival, as well as resources such as a Lonely Planet book to help them navigate the country independently as well. Our staff members are happy to assist students in addressing any concerns they have while living in Jordan, including extending their visas for the duration of their stay.

Teachers are professional Arabic-as-a-Second-Language instructors, and aim to help students gain a thorough command of the language. Teachers work extensively with students to address their personal goals for improving their Arabic language skills, and aim to ultimately prepare students for an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).

MLC Sponsored Trips “Excursions”

The MLC has organized trips for students to become acquainted with various historical sites in Jordan. From Petra in the south to the Roman Ruins of Jerash, the trips are full of excitement and adventure.

Overnight Weekend Trips

Trip to Petra and Wadi Rum: Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is known as the rosy red city half as old as time, and described as one of the most precious cultural properties of mankind.

Dana Reserve: Dana Biosphere Reserve is located in south-central Jordan, and is Jordan’s largest nature reserve

A day in Jerash and Ajloun: The Ancient Roman Ruins of Jerash  are a great place to explore the preserved architecture of ancient times.

Day Trips

The Roman Amphitheatre and Amman City Center: This exciting part of Amman is filled with popular restaurants and bazaars, giving students an opportunity to explore their home city while learning about the history of the town.

Dead Sea and Maeen: The Jordan Rift Valley offers a dramatic and beautiful landscape for students to visit. The amazing splendor of the Dead Sea is unrivaled anywhere in the world, and is the lowest point on earth, at 400m (1,312 ft) below sea level.

Madaba and the Church of Mount Nebo: This day trip offers students a chance to see the beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics found throughout the city of Madaba.

Wadi Mujib: Historically known as Arnon, this is a gorge that is part of the Rift Valley and is one of the lowest points in the Dead Sea.

Accommodation

The MLC offers a group home as the perfect base from which to explore Amman. The MLC house is located in Jabal Al-Weibdeh and offers a mixture of single and twin rooms. Accommodations and services include close proximity to the MLC building, laundry facilities, linens and towels, Wi-Fi, and TV. All rooms are self-catering and contain a private sink in the room.

Monthly rental rates are $642 for a double room. Please see pictures apartments A, B & C.

Home-stay

The MLC has established relationships with Jordanian families to offer home-stay programs for interested students. Students who choose to participate in the home-stay program have the opportunity to experience Jordanian hospitality first-hand, and live in an Arabic-language immersion environment that facilitates learning of the language outside of the classroom. The exchange of culture, information, and language that occurs during a home-stay program is unrivaled in other arrangements for accommodations.

Course Schedule for 2015

Placement tests are administered daily from 4:00PM-7:00PM at the MLC, and cost $25

All courses run five days a week, from Sunday through Thursday.

The short courses last for one month and consist of two hours of daily instruction in the morning, either from 9:15-11:05PM or 11:15-1:05PM or in the evening 4:15-6:05PM or 6:15-8:05PM .  The fee of the short course is $650 including books.

The full courses last for one month and consist of four hours of daily instruction. Times are 9:15AM-1:05PM or 4:15-8:05PM. The fee of the full course is $1030 including books.

Interested students should confirm booking and payment of deposits one month prior to arrival.

Entry Visas

USA, EU, Australia, Canada, Korea Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Africa nationals can obtain their visas on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, Amman.

Other nationals:  please check with nearest Jordan embassy to your country

For any further details please contact us at: MLC@mlc.edu.jo

Time Table up coming courses   2019

April 1, 2019 –  April. 30, 2019

Register Now

After you submit your payment please fill out the Arabic Registration Form to get a receipt voture by email.

Course Fees

Students are expected to attend all classes. A maximum of three absences per course is acceptable, except in cases of exceptional circumstances.