The American Language Center was established
with two goals in mind:

    1. First, the program exposes Syrian students to elements of American life in order to broaden their awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the United States and its contemporary culture.

The program insures this cultural component through:
* The use of textbooks and materials produced in the U.S., which are firmly set within the American context.
* A faculty mainly composed of native speakers of American English. As a group, ALC teachers are young, energetic, well educated, and culturally aware.
* PDS-produced language materials: textbooks, films, cassettes, short stories, plays, etc. whose content deals with American life and values.
* Policies and operational procedures which reflect American educational values: efficiency, fairness, hard work, and self-reliance.
* Special events which promote the English language and American culture: films, workshops, talks, and other presentations.

    2. The second goal of the program is to offer Syrian students the opportunity to improve their knowledge of English and their ability to communicate. This increased knowledge may aid them in their professional development or may enable them to study in the USA or other foreign countries.