Jordanian royalty join students learning Turkish

By Laith Joneidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - Jordanian royalty have joined hundreds of students currently learning Turkish through courses offered in the capital Amman by Turkey's Yunus Emre Institute (YEE).

Cengiz Eroglu, the institute's director for Jordan, told Anadolu Agency that interest in Turkish is on the rise in Jordan. Currently around 200 students -- including Princess Rahma bint Hassan, the cousin of King Abdullah II -- are taking Turkish classes.

In addition to this number, hundreds of students have already learned Turkish at Jordan and Yarmouk universities, Eroglu added.

Eroglu also said most Jordanian students learn Turkish to study in Turkey, but tourism is also a major incentive.

"At first it’s hard to learn the language but my admiration for Turkey made studying easier," said Imar al-Bitar, who is taking the course.

Journalist Hale Ude, another student, said: "I’m very impressed with Turkish culture, and the teachers here do very well."

Since its establishment in 2009, the institute has taught Turkish in 43 countries.

Named after the 13th-century poet Yunus Emre, the institute now has over 50 cultural centers around the world offering artistic, social, and scholarly programs.