About the Center:

The Language Center was established at Yarmouk University in 1979 and is considered one of the leading language centers in Jordan and the region. It is entrusted with several key responsibilities, including the following:

• The center provides instruction to two main mandatory language courses in both Arabic (HUM121) and English (HUM120) to all undergraduate students on campus, serving approximately 10,000 students per semester. These courses focus on several essential skills, including communication and interpersonal competencies. Both courses were thoroughly updated in the 2023–2024 academic year, and they are delivered in a blended learning mode, including one face-to-face session supplemented by two weekly asynchronous online sessions. Assessments are conducted electronically. 

• The center is also responsible for administering and preparing computerized placement tests, both in Arabic and English, for all newly admitted students across the university. These tests assess students' language proficiency. Those who do not attain the required levels are then enrolled in a remedial program courses namely: Arabic Language (AL 99) and English Language (EL 99). These are also delivered through an online blended learning model that comprises two synchronous sessions and one asynchronous online session per week. Assessments are conducted electronically.    

• The center offers language course packages for 12 colleges of the university across 37 taught programs. These courses are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and cover proficiency levels of A1, A2, and B1. Languages offered are French, German, Spanish, Turkish, and Chinese. Students may enroll in one course per semester. Each language package is three hours in total and delivered in an in-person session per week. This course aims to enhance students' linguistic competencies, thus supporting their educational and professional prospects within their academic disciplines. 

• In addition, the language center offers a comprehensive Arabic language program for non-native speakers, delivered through international agreements with both public and private academic institutions abroad. The program is designed to attract international students interested to learn the Arabic language and familiarize themselves with the Jordanian culture. Courses are designed across nine levels and aligned with international standards for teaching foreign languages, and these include the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The program covers both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Jordanian Colloquial Arabic. Upon admission, students are required to take a placement test that determines their appropriate level based on their results, after which they are placed accordingly. 

The program focuses on enhancing the four core language skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. It pays special emphasis on the cultural aspect through several cultural clubs supported by the program. These include the Cultural and Literary Club, the Cultural Content Creation Club, the Arabic Calligraphy Club, the Debating Club, the Handicrafts and Drawing Club, the Film Club, the Excursions Club, the Cooking Club, and the Sports and Horseback Riding Club. In addition, the program includes a language and cultural partner’s initiative, which provides international students with opportunities to engage and interact with native Arabic speakers in real-life situations and events. 

• The center offers a remedial English course (Eng 404) for postgraduate students from all disciplines, particularly those who have not passed the international TOEFL exam. Passing grades vary depending on the field of study as follows: 50% for students in the humanities; 75% for students in English language, pharmacy, engineering, and medicine; and 65% for students in scientific disciplines such as mathematics and physics.

The course is primarily delivered in person, with occasional online sessions. It focuses on developing the specific language skills that students need to pass the TOEFL exam. The course final assessment is computer-based, and the assigned textbook is Longman.  

• The center administers several international exams, such as the Erasmus test and the DELF exam for the French language.
• The center also offers language training courses in English, Spanish, German, and French. These courses help students acquire linguistic and cultural skills that enhance their academic and professional skills. They also aim to enhance students’ ability to communicate and interact with speakers of these languages around the world. Among the offered courses are: 

• Communication Skills
• Conversation Courses (Levels A1–B2)
• Preparation Courses for Various International Exams 

Our vision:

We aspire to become a globally accredited and leading language center that offers high-quality educational and training programs. We strive to reach learners of Arabic wherever they are by fostering a learning environment that is rich in cultural diversity and academic innovation.  

Our message:

Our mission is to achieve academic excellence in teaching and community service. By offering comprehensive educational programs, we aim to contribute to sustainable development and prepare skilled learners and trainees who are capable of making a tangible contribution to societal advancement.  

Center Objectives:

• To provide high-quality instruction in a range of language programs, such as Arabic, English, foreign language packages, and Arabic for non-native speakers. 

• To promote multilingualism and cultural diversity within the university community. 

• To establish the center as an accredited test venue for administering international language proficiency exams by providing preparatory courses and delivering specialized language and professional training programs. 

• To implement pioneering projects that enhance learners’ engagement and encourage enrollment in the center's offerings.
• To implement innovative educational programs that encourage students to engage in the center's courses and programs.
• To create and activate a complete distance learning system through the (Absol) platform for teaching Arabic as a foreign language, according to the latest developments in e-learning.
• To provide a technologically advanced and secure learning environment that improves the overall level of quality of the learning experience.
• To develop opportunities for social and cultural integration of non-Arabic-speaking students into the Arab community that is founded on mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
• To promote academic collaboration between the center and various faculties of the university, as well as with corresponding international academic and civil institutions.
• To promote community engagement through academic, cultural, and awareness-raising events that enhance the center's role in serving society.