IMMERSIVE CULTURE & LANGUAGE PROGRAM

What method do you use to help customers learn Gulf Arabic?

Our Gulf Arabic Immersive Culture and Language (ICL) program is based off of the Growing Participator Approach (or GPA) to languaculture acquisition.

What is GPA?

GPA is a system of learning culture and language that views the two as inseparable (hence the term languaculture) and seeks to help the learner grow in their experience of and participation in their host world. Learners are typically called "Growing Participators" (or GP's) and the language helper/teacher is often called a "Nurturer," as they are viewed not as a traditional teacher with knowledge to transfer to a student, but more as caring, nurturing big sister or brother helping the GP grow up into their new world. The approach puts strong emphasis on listening (lots of it!) and speaking within the context of authentic relationships and community. 

GPA typically consists of 1,500+ hours of focused, intensive sessions divided into 6 Phases, taking the GP from zero understanding and participation in their host world to the place where they are able to have deep and meaningful relationships and communication among groups of their native host people. You can check out more at www.growingparticipation.com.

How long is your program?

1,500+ hours of focused language and culture sessions. That is the typical amount of time necessary to complete all phases of our program. 

For full-time customers taking 20 hrs/week, with a healthy number of holidays and breaks, it typically takes around 2 years to complete.

How long is each Phase?

We seek to tailor each phase to the individual and/or group's needs. But phases are typically divided into the following time-frames based on number of in-session hours:

• PHASE 1:  120+ hours

• PHASE 2:  150+ hours

• PHASE 3:  250+ hours

• PHASE 4:  500+ hours

• PHASE 5:  500+ hours

• PHASE 6:  unlimited (this phase is life-long participation and growth)

Will my sessions be with a group? How big?

The ideal group size varies by learning phase. Our goals for each phase are as follows:

• PHASE 1:   2 to 5 individuals per group

• PHASE 2:   1 to 3 individuals per group

• PHASE 3-5:   1 to 2 individuals per group

Group makeup may vary based on Nurturer availability and customer need. We cannot guarantee the desired group size and we cannot guarantee individual private sessions. We will not exceed the maximum group size goals above unless there are extenuating circumstances. If a customer prefers individual private sessions, we are typically able to provide such requests, but it may depend on Nurturer availability at the time.

Can I spend time with my Nurturer outside of scheduled sessions?

Yes! If your Nurturer is available and interested to meet outside of session time, you are free to connect with them. At the same time, understand that Nurturers have other obligations of their own and may not be available (and are not expected) to meet outside of scheduled sessions.

Do you only use native Arab Gulf speakers as Nurturers?

Yes. We believe that someone who grew up in the culture and language of the Arab Gulf is the best qualified to help others grow in their understanding and participation in the culture and language of the Arab Gulf.

Do I have to do homework?

Yes, but not in the traditional sense of homework. After each session with your Nurturer, you will come away with a rich set of audio and/or video recordings in Gulf Arabic which you will listen to several times before your next session. You will typically spend 30 minutes outside of sessions for every hour of in-session time. For a full-time schedule of 20 hours per week in sessions, you'll spend about 10 hours outside of sessions listening to recordings, preparing for your next session, and participating in other activities.

Do I have to take tests?

No! :-)

Do you have a children's program?

Not yet.

Do you offer Fusha (Modern Standard Arabic) sessions?

Customers in later phases may incorporate Fusha into their learning goals, but we do not have an official Fusha program with trained Fusha teachers.

Will I get a diploma or certificate after completing your program?

Diploma: No. We are not a school or institute and we do not offer any accredited diplomas, degrees or certificates.

Certificate: Yes. After successful completion of our 5 Phase Program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Modern Gulf Experiences.

SCHEDULING

How long are your semesters? When are they?

We do not operate on a semester system. We schedule month-to-month. We seek to tailor our ICL Program to the individual or small group based on their needs, and seek to match the customer with our pool of available trained Nurturers.

How far in advance do you schedule sessions?

We schedule in one month time periods, and we write the schedule approximately one month before the beginning of each month. We ask that customers turn in their schedule preferences at least 30 days in advance. For example, for February's schedule, customers must turn in their schedule preferences by January 1st.

Do I get to choose my Nurturer?

No. We have several trained Nurturers that provide services for our company. We choose the appropriate Nurturer for each customer for each month based on a variety of factors, including the phase level, availability, number of scheduled hours, gender, etc.

Will I have the same Nurturer all the time?

No. One of the great values of going through our company is the variety of Nurturers we have from a variety of families, tribes, subcultures, and dialects. We seek to give customers a healthy variety of Nurturers to improve their exposure to different dialects and perspectives within Gulf Arabic culture and language.

When will my sessions be?

We typically schedule sessions between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We seek to accommodate scheduling preferences and availability but cannot guarantee your preferences. We give scheduling preference priority to our full-time customers. The more flexible you are, the more likely you are to get your desired hours.

Where will my sessions be held?

Lots of places! Sessions can be held in the Nurturer's home, the customer's home, in the market, at a park, on the beach...the options can be endless. We do have a small office where sessions can also be held, but we are flexible and your exact location will depend on both your preference and the specific Nurturer's preference and availability. Some sessions will also be held online with Nurturers in different parts of the country.

Do you have scheduled breaks or holidays?

Yes. We do not offer sessions during official Omani government-announced holidays, as well as Christmas and Easter. We do not have extended breaks like a traditional school, so customers are encouraged to schedule in their own breaks on their own every three to four months.

Can I take just a few hours per week?

Yes. We do encourage customers to make a full-time commitment and schedule as many hours as possible so that they can make rapid progress in their learning goals, but we do understand that full-time is not possible for many customers. We give scheduling priority, however, to our full-time customers with higher hours.

What if I need to cancel a session?

We know that plans change and you likely won't be able to make every session. We offer a very generous cancellation policy:

• If you cancel your session with at least 30 days advance notice, you will not be charged for your session. 

• If you cancel between 7 to 30 days in advance, you will only be charged 50% of your scheduled session price. 

• If you cancel within 7 days of your scheduled session, you will be charged the full session price. 

• If your Nurturer cancels a session, or if a government holiday is announced and your session is cancelled, you will not be charged. 

OTHER TOPICS

Are you a language institute?

No. We are a tourism company approved by the Oman Ministry of Tourism. We are not an institute, school, college or university, and we do not offer any accredited degrees, diplomas or certifications.

Do you provide housing?

No.

Do you offer visas?

No. Since we are a tourism company and not an institute under the Ministry of Education, we cannot offer student visas.