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Language Immersion. Expanding the Depth and Breadth of Understanding C1C Naomi Ballard USAFA . Overview. Before Immersion CSLIP Jordan 2009 CSLIP Egypt 2010 Goals of Immersion Results of Immersion What Happens Now?. Before Immersion. Misconceptions about Arabs
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Language Immersion Expanding the Depth and Breadth of Understanding C1C Naomi Ballard USAFA
Overview • Before Immersion • CSLIP Jordan 2009 • CSLIP Egypt 2010 • Goals of Immersion • Results of Immersion • What Happens Now?
Before Immersion • Misconceptions about Arabs • Being Arab and being Muslim are not the same • Many Americans use these terms interchangeably • Muslim=Terrorist • Uncomfortable • Differences in dress and appearance • Mannerisms • Am I going to offend someone?
CSLIP Jordan 2009 • 6 weeks of school in Amman at MALIC
CSLIP Jordan 2009 • 6 weeks of school in Amman at MALIC • Cultural trips every weekend • Madaba, Mt. Nebo • Aum Qais, Ajloun, Jerash • River Jordan, Dead Sea • Jerusalem • Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba
CSLIP Jordan 2009 • General Impressions • Once people realize you are American, they want to practice their English with you • Never met a nation more passionate about their leader • Beginning to Westernize • Very gentle introduction to the Middle East
CSLIP Egypt 2010 • 6 weeks of school in Cairo at Arab Academy • Focus on Vocab, Reading, Speaking, Grammar, and Colloquial
CSLIP Egypt 2010 • Cultural homework • Interviews with locals • Buying ingredients for a classic dish at the market • Bartering at Khan al-Khalili • Cultural trips every weekend • Pyramids at Giza • Alexandria • Islamic Cairo vs. Coptic Cairo • Aswan to Luxor • Mount Sinai, Dahab
CSLIP Egypt 2010 • General Impressions • Caught between two times • Everywhere we went, we were connected to our President • They take nothing for granted • Immense range of lifestyles in the Middle East
Goals of Immersion • Use the language • Not just in class, but on the street • Improve listening ability • Engage in conversation • Broaden my cultural horizons • Food: Universal Language • Markets • Public Transportation
Results of Immersion • Opportunities to deepen my understanding of their worldview • US involvement in the Middle East • Marriage vs. divorce • Religion • Opportunities to broaden and deepen their understanding of Americans • Hollywood • “Stupid American” • When in Rome…
What Happens Now? • Stay in touch with friends I made • Continue my Middle East education • Teach those around me • Off-color jokes • Disparaging terms • Generalizations • Motivate others to go expand and deepen their understanding • Move outside your comfort zone • USE THE LANGUAGE