Looking Back, Moving Forward: Multiglossia in the Classroom

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 highlight resources exploring one of the most widely discussed topics in Arabic language education: multiglossia in the classroom. As educators continue to examine how Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and regional varieties can be considered in teaching and assessment, QFI is sharing a range of perspectives through blogs, podcasts, and research that deepen understanding and spark ongoing conversation.

The following resources explore different approaches to teaching and assessing Arabic across a range of educational contexts.

New Blog: "Arabic Students Are Not Failing the Test. The Test Is Failing Them."

What are formal Arabic language assessments measuring?

The blog examines assessments that prioritize Modern Standard Arabic over dialects and considers how this approach may influence decisions about student placement, pacing, and instruction. It explores the idea that assessments relying on one variety of Arabic may not fully capture of students' language abilities and discusses the implications for Arabic language education.

Read the blog here.

Podcast: “From the Classroom to Real Life: Navigating Arabic Multiglossia”

This episode of All Things Arabic explores these questions further by examining the role of dialects and Modern Standard Arabic in language education.

Hosted by Caroline Sibley, the episode features Hossam and Arabic educator Christeen, who discuss integrating linguistic variation into teaching, assessment, and learning.

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

Research and Guidelines: Investigating teacher beliefs on integrating linguistic variation in Arabic teaching

Supported through QFI's Call for Research on Arabic as a Global Language, this University of Leeds project investigates teachers' perspectives on integrating Arabic varieties into classroom instruction.

The project also produced practical guidelines, developed with participating teachers, to support educators interested in incorporating regional varieties alongside Modern Standard Arabic.

Read more about the research and guidelines here.

Research Article: Knowledge of Arabic variation as a CEFR-based sociolinguistic competence: principles to inform Arabic L2 teaching

This article examines Arabic linguistic variation within the framework of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and its approach to plurilingual competencies. Sociolinguistic competence can inform second-language instruction.

Read the full article here.