QFI Empowers Arabic Educators at Ireland Arabic Education Institute 2025

This two-day professional development event brought together primary and secondary educators to strengthen Arabic teaching in Ireland and build a collaborative network of practitioners.

The Institute focused on accessible, proficiency-based Arabic instruction aligned with CEFR standards, equipping educators with strategies to enhance classroom engagement and confidence. Expert-led sessions covered topics such as:

• Key Competencies in Action: Leading Students with Curiosity and Inquiry
• Classroom Management: Keeping Students Engaged and Motivated
• From Interaction to Action & Reflection: Sharing Learning with the World

John McDonnell, principal of a state funded primary school in Dublin, Ireland, affirmed how beneficial the Institute has been, stating: "Our school has been engaged in Arabic Education for 35 years and QFI is the first organisation to reach out and offer CPD and resources.”

Participants also explored Ireland’s evolving language education reforms and pathways to advanced qualifications like the Professional Master of Education (PME).

QFI Senior Program Officer Chase Smithburg explained that “QFI recognizes that teachers are at the core of the future of teaching Arabic at the primary and secondary levels in Ireland, and to ensuring that students in Ireland have access to high quality language instruction that meets their future academic and professional goals. QFI was thrilled to offer the inaugural Ireland Arabic Education Institute with a motivated and experienced group of educators, and looks forward to building strong communities of practice and to seeing the development of Arabic as a curricular subject in Ireland.”

Through initiatives like this, QFI addresses critical gaps in teacher development, ensuring educators have the tools, strategies, and community to create inclusive, student-centered, and proficiency-driven learning environments.

About Qatar Foundation International
Qatar Foundation International (QFI), based in Washington, DC, is dedicated to advancing the teaching and learning of Arabic as a global language.