QFI Authors CALEC Chapter on the Arabic Speaking Competition

Washington, D.C., June 2026 — Qatar Foundation International (QFI) announced the publication of its chapter, The Arabic Speaking Competition: A Tool for Heritage Language Motivation and Identity Affirmation, in CALEC’s volume Bridging Worlds: The Power of Heritage Languages in Social Cohesion.

Authored by QFI staff Tony Calderbank, Janine Elya, and Chase Smithburg, the chapter draws on QFI’s Arabic Speaking Competition (ASC), a QFI initiative that invites students to showcase their Arabic language skills. The chapter examines how the ASC supports heritage learners by creating opportunities to develop speaking skills, build confidence, and affirm their connection to Arabic language and identity.

The study analyzed surveys conducted with student participants, teachers, and parents to better understand why students participated in the ASC and how the competition affected their learning experiences. The survey findings indicated that the ASC was particularly meaningful for heritage learners and their parents, supporting students’ confidence, pride in their identity, and motivation to continue developing their Arabic language skills.

Competitions like the ASC, with varied categories, allow students to participate in ways that reflect their own learning experiences and language backgrounds. The chapter highlights how competitions can serve as a valuable tool for supporting Arabic language learning, heritage language motivation, and identity affirmation.

By contributing this chapter to a broader volume on heritage languages and social cohesion, QFI brings program-based evidence from the ASC into wider conversations about belonging, confidence, cultural connection, and heritage language learning. The chapter also points to opportunities for future research on student competitions and other participatory models for Arabic language education.

Read the full chapter here.