Qatar Foundation International Advances Arabic Education with Successful Autumn Institute in the UK

Qatar Foundation International (QFI) recently concluded its UK Autumn Arabic Institute, held from 1-3 November, 2024, at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, UK. This annual three-day event addressed a gap in continuing professional development offerings tailored to Arabic educators across the UK by providing access to trainings from Arabic professors and education experts in the United Kingdom. By hosting the Autumn Institute, QFI reinforced its commitment to supporting educators by providing practical tools, innovative strategies, and a collaborative environment to enhance their teaching practices. The event brought together Arabic language educators, including candidates in their initial teacher training to become certified Arabic teachers as well as experienced classroom educators, to help them build stronger networks, share expertise, and elevate Arabic education in UK schools. Through this initiative, QFI empowers educators to deliver high-quality Arabic instruction, ensuring the language is taught with the same importance and professionalism as other world languages and fostering collaboration within the teaching community.

The Institute opened with an engaging session on the diversity of Arabic dialects and how language choices impact student engagement and cultural understanding. This set the stage for discussions on student-centered teaching, emphasizing the importance of designing lessons with activities that cater to different learning styles to keep students engaged. “Participating in the UK Arabic Autumn Institute was truly enriching. The QFI-supported sessions offered practical strategies I can directly apply in my classroom, deepening my passion for teaching Arabic,” reflected attendee Irfan Soni.

Throughout the Institute, participants explored strategies for effective lesson planning, focusing on clear lesson staging, differentiation, and transitioning from controlled activities to freer practice. “The program’s thoughtful structure and practical insights have refined my teaching methods. Connecting with colleagues and sharing resources was invaluable. I highly recommend these sessions for both personal and student growth,” shared attendee Aicha Dyani Baaziz.

Hands-on sessions emphasized enhancing students’ productive language skills. Educators also examined assessment techniques, exploring how evaluations can be used not only for grading but also to motivate student progress. Discussions underscored how personalized assessments can boost student engagement by addressing individual learning needs. Attendee Niveen Sydam noted: “This event provided an excellent platform to network with other Arabic teachers. I learned effective strategies to engage students and discovered creative approaches for teaching both native and non-native speakers.”

The Institute concluded with a collaborative lesson-planning session where participants applied insights gained from earlier workshops. Educators worked together to develop adaptable lesson plans, enhancing both their teaching skills and professional networks. By the end of the Autumn Arabic Institute, participants departed with renewed enthusiasm and a toolkit of strategies to integrate creative approaches into their classrooms.

To sustain this momentum, QFI will continue supporting this year’s cohort through virtual follow-up sessions. These check-ins will provide educators with opportunities to share how they are implementing the toolkits and discuss any new challenges they encounter in their classrooms. This ongoing engagement is part of QFI’s commitment to continuous professional development, fostering growth and collaboration beyond the Institute.

About Qatar Foundation International (QFI)

Qatar Foundation International (QFI), based in Washington, DC, is dedicated to advancing the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language. QFI supports teachers, schools, administrators, and universities to make the teaching and learning of Arabic as accessible and professional as other world languages. For more information visit www.qfi.org.