QFI Celebrates the 2025–26 Arabic Speaking Competition

Aligned with QFI’s mission of advancing the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language, the competition provides students with meaningful opportunities to use Arabic beyond the classroom.

More than a competition, the ASC is a powerful learning experience. It supports students in building confidence, developing proficiency, and expressing their ideas in Arabic, guided by their teachers, and supported by their schools. By creating authentic opportunities for communication, the ASC helps make Arabic learning more relevant, engaging, and impactful for diverse learners.

This year’s competition brought together secondary school students in grades 6 to 12 from seven countries: Canada, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, representing 59 schools. With more than 280 student entries, participation reflects the strong commitment of educators and school communities to advancing Arabic language learning.

ASC 2025–26 at a Glance

• 7 countries
• 59 schools
• 280+ student entries
• 32 winners
• 15 honorable mentions
• 28 judges

The competition included two rounds. In the first, students submitted recorded speeches. In the second, selected participants delivered their speeches live to a panel of judges and responded to follow up questions.

This structure created a supportive and rigorous environment where students could develop their skills, think critically, and communicate with confidence. Judges, Arabic educators and experts from across participating countries highlighted the depth of student engagement and the strong personal connection many participants demonstrated in their presentations.

This year, 32 winners and 15 honorable mentions were selected across regions, language levels, and language backgrounds. Winners will be recognized in their school communities and receive calligraphy trophies commemorating their achievement. These recognitions celebrate student accomplishment, the dedication of the teachers who guided them, and the schools that made their participation possible.

Throughout the competition, students demonstrated language proficiency by expressing their ideas, interests, and identities in Arabic. For many, the experience marked an important step in seeing Arabic not just as a subject, but as a meaningful and lived language. Educators noted that opportunities like the ASC play a critical role in motivating students and deepening their engagement with language learning.

Research conducted by QFI further highlights this impact. The chapter “The Arabic Speaking Competition: A Tool for Heritage Language Motivation and Identity Affirmation,” published in Bridging Worlds: The Power of Heritage Languages in Social Cohesion, finds that the ASC supports student motivation, confidence, and identity development, particularly for heritage learners, while also enriching classroom practice.

The continued growth of the Arabic Speaking Competition reflects strong enthusiasm among students, educators, and schools for high-quality, meaningful Arabic learning opportunities. At the heart of this success are the students who brought their voices forward, the teachers who supported and inspired them, and the communities that made these experiences possible.

QFI is proud to celebrate all participants in this year’s competition and looks forward to welcoming even more learners in the years ahead.

Learn More
To read the full research chapter, click here.

2025–26 Winners

Honorable Mentions

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.