QFI Podcast: All Things Arabic

Grounded in the newly released global report of the Study of Arabic Language Programs (SALP), this episode unpacks what the SALP findings mean for classrooms, programs, policy, and the future of Arabic language education. 

Hosted by Caroline Sibley, Teaching Assistant Professor of Arabic in North Carolina, the episode features two Institute of International Education (IIE) researchers who worked on and co-authored the SALP: 

• Mirka Martel, IIE’s Head of Research, Evaluation and Learning 
• Leah Mason, IIE’s Lead of Research, Evaluation and Learning Team and Interim Executive Director and Director of the Iacocca International Internship Program at Lehigh University 

Together, they discuss how Arabic programs are organized, supported, and sustained across six countries, and what educators, researchers, program leaders, and policymakers can take from the findings to support stronger Arabic language learning. 

They discuss: 

• The current landscape of Arabic language education 
• What supports and limits program growth 
• How research can inform policy and practice 
• What can be learned across different national contexts 
• What comes next for Arabic language education 

🎧 Watch or listen now, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

➡️ https://www.qfi.org/podcast/ 

Produced by QFI to advance the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language. 

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Qatar Foundation International (QFI). 

The third episode of Season Two of QFI’s podcast, All Things Arabic, is titled "Motivating Arabic Learners: Strategies from Alumni and Educators." 

Hosted by Caroline Sibley, Teaching Assistant Professor of Arabic in North Carolina, this episode features Dana Slayton, an Arabic language educator in Texas, and Najoua Ben Ramak, an English and Arabic language educator in North Carolina. Dana was a student and has now become an educator, making this episode an exciting dialogue between her and Najoua. Drawing from their experiences, the guests emphasize student motivation as one of the core pillars of the Arabic language education ecosystem, essential for engagement, achievement, and meaningful learning. Through initiatives like this podcast, QFI highlights motivation, fosters dialogue among educators, and shares knowledge across the Arabic education community. 

The discussion explores common challenges, including demotivation, overwhelmed beginners, and limited connection to the language. Educators can address these challenges by building community, focusing on practical, transferable skills, and integrating tools such as gamification, project-based learning, and pop culture to make learning Arabic more engaging. 

The conversation demonstrates how prioritizing motivation enables learners to overcome challenges and experience the joy and real-world relevance of learning Arabic—underscoring its role as a driving force in the Arabic education ecosystem. 

Produced by QFI to advance the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language. 

The second episode of Season Two of QFI’s podcast, All Things Arabic, is titled "Two-Way Dialogue: Advancing Researcher–Educator Collaboration in Arabic Language Teaching." 

The first episode of Season Two of QFI’s podcast, All Things Arabic, explores what it takes to build and sustain successful Arabic language programs. 

Hosted by Caroline Sibley, Teaching Assistant Professor of Arabic in North Carolina, this episode features two expert educators: 

• Jessica Haxhi, Supervisor of World Languages in Connecticut 
• Samir Gibrial, Arabic Educator in Delaware 

They discuss: 

• Sustaining Arabic language programs 
• Addressing common educational challenges 
• Engaging communities to support new initiatives 
• Bridging K–12 and higher education gaps 
• Improving program continuity and student outcomes 
• Enriching schools and fostering global readiness through Arabic education 

🎧 Watch Now — this episode is also available as a video podcast: 
➡️ https://www.qfi.org/podcast/ 

Produced by QFI to advance the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language.

Join us for a special episode of QFI’s podcast All Things Arabic podcast in celebration of World Arabic Language Day, premiering December 18, 2024! Titled Teaching Arabic in a Changing World: Perspectives from Educators, this episode is hosted by Caroline Sibley, Teaching Assistant Professor of Arabic at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and features a dynamic conversation with educators Layali Eshqaidef,  Founder and President of Kalimah Programs for Arabic Culture and Arts, Potomac, MD, and Alexander Porcelli, Arabic Instructor at the Washington Latin Public Charter School, Washington, DC.

Together, they explore the evolving landscape of Arabic language education, discussing innovative approaches to engage students across primary, secondary, and university levels, foster community connections through immersive learning, and address critical challenges such as teacher training gaps, curriculum development, and misconceptions about Arabic. 

The podcast, led by educators for educators, serves to address critical challenges, spark innovative ideas, and foster thought leadership—all in support of advancing Arabic education globally, a mission proudly supported by QFI. 

The Study of Adolescent Lives after Migration to America (SALaMA) seeks to assess the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of high school students who have been – or whose parents have been – resettled to the US from the MENA region. QFI partnered with Washington University in St. Louis in and a number of school districts and local refugee resettlement agencies around the US to uncover the true impact of displacement on mental health.  

In this episode, Ilana Seff, Jeremy Aldrich, and Cyril Bennouna discuss what they’ve found and how educators, administrators, and schools can foster a healthy academic and social environment for resettled students. This episode explores the study's origins, key strategies for assisting students and families, and the empowering PhotoVoice project, which amplified students' stories and identities. This research highlights the importance of fostering resilience and inclusivity for resettled communities.

Glossary: 

• Study of Adolescent Lives after Migration to America (SALaMA): SALaMA is a mixed-methods study that is conducted by Washington University in St. Louis and QFI in partnership with a number of school districts and local refugee resettlement agencies around the country. The study deals with the mental health and psychosocial well-being of high school students from families resettled from the MENA region. Its takeaways are aimed at improving the lives of these students in the future, by applying the acquired learnings. Learn more: https://adolescentmigrationstudy.wustl.edu/  
• PhotoVoice: The SALaMA Photovoice program, supported by QFI, empowers adolescents from Arab-majority countries who have resettled in the United States to explore and articulate their identities, heritage, and experiences through photography and personal reflection. As a sponsor of SALaMA Photovoice, QFI believes the program aligns with its mission by offering an innovative approach to promoting learning and using the Arabic language as a key element of embracing one's heritage and identity. 

Are there lessons for Arabic language educators and admin in the way Scotland approaches language learning? In this episode of All Things Arabic, Fhiona Mackay, the Director of SCILT, explains how a hybrid teaching environment is helping students across the nation – even those in remote regions – learn Arabic.   

References: 

• Scotland’s National Centre for Languages 
• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages  

Glossary of terms: 

• SCILT - Scotland’s National Centre for Languages 
• National Qualifications – exams taken by students in the Scottish school system, studied in secondary schools and in colleges of further education 

Learning Arabic can unlock new opportunities for both professional and personal growth. 

In this episode, four former students of Arabic meet for the first time and discuss how learning the language shaped their lives and led them to their current career paths. 

Listen as each guest reflects on how their study of Arabic has led them to where they are, and how it greatly enriched their careers and their personal lives. 

Visit the Project Perseverance website to learn more about the guests: https://bit.ly/3AxXBYi  

References: 

Project Perseverance: https://hum.byu.edu/project-perseverance 

Incorporating art, music, and calligraphy into Arabic classrooms enhances students’ linguistic and cultural knowledge—and makes space for fun and creativity. 

Ustaaza Ibtissam, a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience teaching French and Arabic to both native and non-native speakers, shares how she connects classrooms in North America with refugees and teachers in Lebanon, promoting cultural learning and fostering strong relationships between Arabic teachers and the community. 

References: 

• Craft and Talk: An educational enterprise that delivers quality artistic lessons in the language classroom by talented and native educators, mainly refugees and displaced, from all over the world: https://craftntalk.com  
• QFI's Arabic Teacher Excellence Award: This annual award recognizes Arabic language educators at state-funded, primary and secondary schools for their dedication, commitment, and effort to provide quality Arabic language education to their students in innovative ways:  https://www.qfi.org/news/qfi-arabic-teaching-excellence-awards-launch/

Glossary: 

• ISD: Independent school district 

So far in All Things Arabic, we’ve heard from teachers, students, administrators, and researchers about Arabic language education. But what do parents of Arabic learners have to say about the language? 

In the latest episode, hear from Kelly, the parent of an Arabic learner at a secondary school in Chicago. Kelly shares her perspective on Arabic and the opportunities it has offered her daughter, Kendall. 

References: 

• Arabic Honor Society: https://www.qfi.org/students/arabic-honor-society/  
• 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar: The FIFA World Cup 2022™ in Qatar was the first edition of the tournament to be hosted in the Arab World 

Glossary: 

• CIEE study abroad program: The Council on International Educational Exchange, a non-profit organization promoting international education and exchange: https://www.ciee.org  
• NSLI-Y youth program: NSLI-Y provides intensive language immersion programs in locations around the world: https://www.nsliforyouth.org  
• CPS: Chicago Public School 
• Arabic TA: Arabic Teaching Assistant