Web
Links
Below are resources for learning about Arabic, Jordan, the Middle East, Islam, and Arab/Islamic art. We do not endorse any of these websites or the entities they represent, nor have we conducted an in-depth review of these websites. Our hope is that you find some of them interesting and useful.
Arabic
We recommend the top two as best initial resources for
the group, and the YouTube sources.
Jordanian Arabic phrases with audio
Podcasts
Basic Level:
Podcast One and worksheet; Two and worksheet
Intermediate Level:
Podcast One and worksheet; Two and worksheet
Advanced Level:
Podcast One and worksheet; Two and worksheetOn YouTube:
Pronouciation of Arabic letters
Arabic Alphabet song from children’s TV show
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Arabic Without Walls (UC Consortium for Language Learning and Teaching)
ArabicPod - Learn Arabic with ArabicPod!
Arabic alphabet and numerals
Babel: Arabic (online course in Arabic)
Al-Bab.com (lots of good background and resources)
AncientScripts.com (history and foundations of Arabic)
Arabic Language - Learning & Teaching Modern Arabic
Arabic, Arabic Study Abroad, and Other Islamic Languages
Language Exchange Community - Learn English, French, Spanish - practice foreign languages
Learn Arabic with free software downloads
Links offered by Georgetown University
Peace Corps Multimedia Arabic Lessons
Resources and Lesson Plans for Arabic
Arabic Speakers and Language Meetups Do not use this resource until the program is over.
Information About Arabic and Arabic Opportunities
Closing the language gap. - By Lee Smith - Slate Magazine
Fulbright-Jordan programs for Americans: The Fulbright Student Awards
Arabic Language Teaching in the U.S.
Saudi Aramco article about Arabic.
American Association of Teachers of Arabic
Jordan (and connections to the U.S.)
Great photos by Mansour Mouasher
Travel blogs Note the disclaimer above, we do no endorse these and have not reviewed them all. Having said that, there is good insight to be found in many such blogs. Here is one we do like in particular: Live From the Middle East by a student, Ashley Heacock
Project on Middle East Democracy-Jordan
Visit Jordan (official tourism site)
Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C.
A Country Study: Jordan Library of Congress)
Background Note: Jordan (U.S. Department of State)
The Friends of Jordan (the majority of them Peace Corps returnees). You can join!
Jordan Clothing Industry (almost 1/3 of Jordan's exports are clothing)
Mobility International, Jordan page (including opportunities for university students)
Food industry and tourism overview
Jordanian Americans
The Jordanian American Association
Ray Hanania Ray is an author, journalist, and comedian in the Chicago area who is enthusiastically supportive of our program.
Good history and overview of Jordanian Americans
Middle East News and Information
Islam
Inside Islam A grant from the national Social Science Research Council (SSRC) allowed UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Public Radio program Here on Earth to create radio, blog and web programs on Islam and Muslims around the world.
Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam
Arts
Captain Abu Raed The first independent film out of Jordan, winner of the Sundance Film Festival World Media Audience Award and nearly 30 other awards (as of April 2009) at film festivals around the world. Writer and director Amin Matalqa is a friend of the Journey to Jordan program and supports our idea of a curriculum product to accompany the film.