Amman, Jordan, July 18, 2012―American and Jordanian students advanced their language skills and understanding of each others’ cultures during a day-long forum hosted today by AMIDEAST/Jordan. The high school students are participants in two U.S. Department of State-funded initiatives that encourage development of foreign language skills.

The 14 American students were in Jordan on scholarships received through the National Strategic Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program, an initiative that is expanding opportunities for American high school students to learn critical languages such as Arabic and Chinese. Their 12 Jordanian peers are members of the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access), which provides English instruction, skills training, community service, and cultural enhancement activities to non-elite youth in Jordan as well as more than 85 countries worldwide.

The forum engaged the youths in discussions on a range of topics, from their educational goals and social life in their respective countries to the socioeconomic development of Jordan and the region. By using both Arabic and English, they were able to benefit from a comfortable environment for practicing their new language abilities. In the end, they also uncovered interesting similarities and differences in their points of view.

“This is an ideal opportunity for participants in both programs. Using a new language for real communication is challenging, but it is also very satisfying,” stated Dr. Ruth Petzold, Regional English Language Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Amman. “Even more important, the visit gave the students a chance to learn more about each other’s lives. I can’t think of anything that enhances global understanding quite as successfully as language learning and exchange programs. I hope it created a few new friendships too.“

Catherine Botelho, Resident Director of NSLI-Y Jordan, added, “The event was a wonderful opportunity for all the students. I was very pleased that NSLI-Y could partner with AMIDEAST in an event that so closely mirrored our program goals of sparking a life time interest in foreign languages and cultures as well as showcasing the learning and use of foreign language as a way of advancing international dialogue and positive relations.”

The NSLI-Y group, which has already returned to the United States, indicated that this event was one of the highlights of their time spent in Jordan. Similar feedback was echoed by the Access students, including one student who remarked, "It was very exciting. For the first time I talked with American students. They also spoke Arabic. I liked the way they spoke, and I was more willing to speak English.” The groups have exchanged contact information and expressed a strong desire to remain in touch with each other.