Oxford QFI Research Forum 2025 to Strengthen Research-Informed Arabic Language Teaching

Oxford, UK (July 2025) – From 16–18 July, the Department of Education at the University of Oxford and Qatar Foundation International (QFI) will partner to host the Oxford QFI Research Forum 2025. This dynamic gathering is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and classroom practice in Arabic language education.

Building on the success of the 2024 Forum, this year’s event will focus on three key themes: student motivation, the integration of research into practice, and preliminary findings from the Study of Arabic Language Programs (SALP). The Forum will bring together educators, researchers, and thought leaders to explore how evidence-based strategies can enhance Arabic language instruction across diverse learning environments.

Participants will engage in collaborative sessions that highlight the reciprocal relationship between research and practice. Teacher-led case studies will offer researchers valuable insights and potential new directions for inquiry, while educators will examine how research can directly inform their classroom instruction.

“What makes this Forum unique is its commitment to creating lasting connections between theory and practice,” said Carine Allaf, Senior Director of Research at QFI. “When researchers understand classroom realities and teachers harness evidence-based strategies, we see transformative results, from improved student engagement to more sustainable Arabic programs.”

The inaugural 2024 Forum was launched in response to a comprehensive scoping review of Arabic as an Additional Language (AL2), conducted by Oxford with QFI support. Building on that foundation, this year’s Forum will provide participants with access to updated tools, including the expanded Oxford Arabic (ORA) database, which will be officially launched at the event.

The Forum is part of QFI’s broader mission to promote Arabic as a global language and reflects the University of Oxford’s leadership in educational research that is deeply connected to policy and practice.

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.

About Department of Education, University of Oxford

The Department of Education at the University of Oxford is a world-leader in cross-disciplinary education research that is closely connected with policy and practice. Oxford has been making a major contribution to the field of education for over 100 years and today our department has a world-class reputation for research, for teacher education and for its Masters and doctoral programmes