Looking Back, Moving Forward: Featured Research & Publications

As QFI reflects on nearly two decades of advancing Arabic language education, we continue to celebrate educators, students, schools, researchers, and partners along with the work that has strengthened our community.

This week, we spotlight research and publications that advance our understanding of Arabic language education. Through studies, reports, and research tools, these resources provide evidence, insights, and practical perspectives on the issues shaping the field today.

A scoping review into the teaching and learning of Arabic as an additional language (AL2)

Scoping reviews serve to synthesize evidence and assess the scope of literature on a topic. This scoping review maps the existing AL2 research landscape, identifies gaps in the literature, and offers a resource for educators and researchers to strengthen the field of Arabic language education.

Download the full review here.

ORA Database

Building on the scoping review, the Oxford Research Archive (ORA) Database serves as a searchable resource for those interested in accessing research on the teaching and learning of Arabic as an additional language.

Explore the ORA Database here.

Learn how to use the ORA Database with Dr. Emilie Zuniga.

In this video, Dr. Emilie Zuniga explains how to locate the database, how to download it, and how to filter articles by topic.

The Arabic Speaking Competition: A Tool for Heritage Language Motivation and Identity Affirmation

This publication explores how participation in speaking competitions supports speaking skills, confidence, identity, and motivation to continue learning Arabic, while highlighting the role of student competitions in Arabic language education.

Learn more about the value of student competitions here.

Note: This links to a chapter in the CALEC volume Bridging Worlds: The Power of Heritage Languages in Social Cohesion. Authored by QFI staff: Tony Calderbank, Janine Elya, and Chase Smithburg.

Mapping Arabic Language Education: A Global Landscape Study of Policy and Practice

Published by QFI and the Institute of International Education (IIE), this report examines how policies and local conditions shape Arabic language programs for school-aged learners in Canada (pg. 25), Ireland (pg. 27), Italy (pg. 29), Sweden (pg. 31), the United Kingdom (pg. 33), and the United States (pg. 35). Drawing on findings from the Study of Arabic Language Programs (SALP), it highlights shared challenges, promising practices, and opportunities to strengthen Arabic language education across these six countries.

Download the full report here.

Go beyond the report with QFI’s All Things Arabic podcast.

Featuring the IIE researchers who co-authored the SALP, this episode explores the study’s key findings, what they mean for educators and policymakers, and the future of Arabic language education.

Watch the episode above or listen wherever you get your podcasts.