Chapter 4
Convenings
Through our convenings and digital efforts, we supported outreach initiatives that were designed to build capacity within communities and ensure long-term growth and success.
- Educators, policymakers and academics from 14 countries attended our inaugural European QFI Symposium in Brussels.
- More than 3,000 people attended the TEDinArabic Summit in Doha where QFI organized a panel titled “Knowledge of Languages: The Gateway to Wisdom.”
Through each event and digital interaction, we built stronger educational pathways.
Meanwhile, our presence at key language conferences like EXPOLINGUA in Berlin, Germany and ACTFL in Chicago, USA underscored our dedication to the professional development of Arabic educators.
2023 ACTFL Convention
Promoting thought leadership.
QFI’s presence at the 2023 ACTFL Convention focused on presenting QFI’s value add as the only organization supporting the development of the ecosystem around the teaching and learning of Arabic at the primary and secondary level.
QFI organized four panels during the convention on topics of central importance to our work and also in response to trends and themes we focused on during the year:
- Starting an Arabic Program at Your School
- Boosting Enrollment in Your Arabic Language Classes
- Workshop on Using Regional Varieties in the Teaching of Arabic (QFI Research Focus)
- Best Practices to Support New Arrival Arabic Speaking Students (From Research to Practice)
Of the 40 educators and administrators QFI supported to attend the conference, approximately half were teachers who were new to our network who need additional support and professional development, 1/3 were Arabic teacher council representatives from our regional teacher councils in the US, UK, and Germany, and 1/3 were presenters, either for ACTFL accepted sessions or our exhibitor workshops.
QFI focused our support for Arabic teachers to become thought leaders and to present at future ACTFL conferences. To do that, QFI staff set up a mentoring program with previous Teacher Leadership Program educators to have them review draft proposals by Arabic teachers before they were submitted to the ACTFL conference panel review process. Due to this effort, several teachers were successful in having their panel proposals for the 2024 ACTFL conference accepted into the program.
Samira Dani, a French and Arabic teacher from West Midlands, UK, participated in the 2023 ACTFL Conference and shared her feedback about the conference:
"Attending the conference was a valuable experience, and I appreciated the diverse perspectives shared by the speakers. The event was very well-executed, and the networking opportunities were invaluable."
Samira Dani,
French and Arabic teacher from West Midlands, UK
The First European QFI Symposium
Setting ambitious expectations
Our inaugural European QFI Symposium ambitiously addressed the complexities of Arabic language teaching and learning in Europe.
“Arabic Language Learning in Europe: Realities of Policy and Practice” explored the current landscape to advance Arabic language and culture education. Through fostering partnerships and exchanging insights, it catalyzed collaborations for progress. Emphasizing synergies and actionable strategies, the symposium committed to enhancing the quality and accessibility of Arabic education across Europe. Representatives from 14 European countries, alongside attendees from Australia, the UK, and the US, participated in discussions on key topics such as evolving perceptions of Arabic and developing sustainable educational initiatives involving communities.
The symposium not only bolstered QFI’s global network but also initiated now-ongoing dialogues. In Ireland, QFI is actively guiding new connections as they adopt modern methodologies for Arabic instruction. Collaborations with counterparts in Germany and Italy are underway to chart the next steps in Arabic teaching and research.
In 2024, QFI will convene stakeholders from Ireland, Italy, and Wales to explore a successful Arabic language learning model in Scotland that was presented at the symposium. From forging fresh partnerships to disseminating knowledge through publications and implementing innovative programs, the impact of QFI’s inaugural symposium continues to unfold, shaping the future of Arabic education in Europe and beyond.
“The Arabic language is a sea. After seven years of study, I’m just skimming its surface, but there's always more to learn.”
Meg Grieve, TEDinArabic Panelist
QFI Panel at TEDinArabic Summit 2023
Unlocking the gateway to wisdom
At the TEDinArabic Summit, QFI organized a panel titled “Knowledge of Languages: The Gateway to Wisdom,” showcasing the significance of learning Arabic as a non-native speaker. Participants from Brazil, Germany, and the US shared their language-learning journeys, challenges, and opportunities entirely in Arabic.
The panel featured Arabic teachers as well as students who learned Arabic through QFI-supported secondary school programs in the US.
