QFI Hosts Winter Workshop to Empower US Arabic Educators with Strategies to Improve Students’ Language Proficiency

Washington, DC – Qatar Foundation International (QFI) recently concluded its annual Winter Workshop, held from December 6-8 in Washington, DC. The three-day event brought together language teaching experts with Arabic educators to help equip them with essential tools to evaluate and enhance student learning outcomes in their schools' Arabic programs. This event reinforced QFI's commitment to empowering educators and fostering excellence in Arabic language instruction within classrooms.

Attendees included Arabic language educators from across the United States, representing schools and districts with established Arabic programs, as well as those considering the introduction of Arabic language instruction. The workshop emphasized the transformative role of proficiency assessments in the classroom, encouraging educators to shift from viewing assessments solely as a monitoring measure. Instead, educators were encouraged to use proficiency assessments as catalysts for student growth and a powerful tool towards helping students achieve valuable credentials such as the Seal of Biliteracy. By offering practical resources, innovative strategies, and collaborative student-centered opportunities, QFI provided a platform for educators to enhance their teaching practices and improve student outcomes.

The workshop opened with an overview of proficiency assessments and STAMP 4S(e) tests, distinguishing the key differences between performance and proficiency. Teachers engaged in a Q&A dialogue, where educators shared their experiences using proficiency assessments in their classrooms.

“[This workshop] was such an enjoyable, enriching, and learning experience. The event has the potential to create a transformative impact on my work by providing actionable insights and equipping me with applicable resources, it has enhanced my ability to address how to apply ACTFL standards. The accelerated learning I experienced will likely lead to more innovative solutions and improved performance in my career,” shared educator Hanin Abukhas. “Additionally, the connections made during the workshop can foster valuable collaborations, further amplifying its impact on my work.”

Another highlight was a session focused on fostering student motivation and cultural competence in the Arabic language classroom, sparking robust discussions among attendees. The event also featured a data dive workshop on QFI’s STAMP 4S(e) assessments, providing educators with insights into the impact of dialect on proficiency outcomes and enabling them to design communicative lessons with proficiency objectives in mind. Educator Hanan Elkamah stated that “The data highlighted the importance of consistency and standardization in assessments. Hearing from other teachers helped me realize common challenges, such as aligning assessments with student goals, and offered practical ideas for improvement.”

The Winter Workshop concluded with a reflective session, where participants shared their key takeaways and discussed how they plan to implement these insights in their classrooms, communities, and educational programs.

“At QFI, we are committed to equipping educators with research-driven tools and frameworks to enhance Arabic language instruction,” said Julia Sylla, Director of Programs at QFI. “Workshops like this focus on integrating proficiency assessments to better understand student performance, set clear learning goals, and apply evidence-based strategies that support students in reaching their full potential. This workshop is part of our ongoing commitment to advancing Arabic education by addressing the evolving needs of educators and students through research and proven methods.”

The Winter Workshop reflects QFI’s dedication to strengthening Arabic programs across the United States. By equipping educators with the tools, strategies, and collaborative opportunities they need, QFI is fostering innovation in classrooms and laying the foundation for students to achieve meaningful language proficiency, unlocking new academic and professional opportunities.

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.