German language instruction in Jordan takes centre stage at DAAD conference

AMMAN — The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) regional office in Amman opened a conference on Wednesday on “German as a foreign language at universities in Jordan” with the participation of academics and experts who exchanged several ideas on teaching methodologies and challenges.

Benjamin Schmäling, director of the DAAD regional office Amman, underlined the “growing” interest in learning the German language in Jordan and in the region, especially for people seeking education and career opportunities in Germany.  

Schmäling also noted that there are some obstacles hindering the teaching of the German language in Jordan and the region, mainly the lack of qualified instructors.

He said that DAAD is building partnerships with local and regional stakeholders from Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories to facilitate and expand the teaching of the German language to cope with the high demand.

Ministry of Higher Education’s Secretary General Mamoun Debi voiced appreciation of DAAD’s efforts in enhancing Jordanian-German cooperation in cultural and scientific fields.

Debi also said that there is a growing interest among Jordanians, in schools and universities, to acquire German language skills, especially for those seeking education and work opportunities in Germany.  

Florian Reindel, deputy head of mission at the German embassy in Amman, also said that there is an increasing demand for the German language in Jordan and the entire region but “not everywhere there is enough staff and institutions to cope with that”.

The German Jordanian University’s (GJU) Vice President for International Affairs Ralf Rosskopf highlighted the Madaba-based institution’s contributions to teaching and promoting German as a foreign language in Jordan and the region.

He said that the GJU offers specialised courses in the German language and is helping other universities develop their curriculum and teaching methodologies.