QFI Expands LEARNS Programme to Strengthen Language Support for Arabic-Speaking Newcomers in Ireland

Dublin, Ireland (August 2025) — Qatar Foundation International (QFI) has completed its third consecutive year of the LEARNS Ireland programme, held from June through July. This initiative supported Arabic-speaking newcomer students at St. Oliver's Community College, St. Nathy's College, and the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) Ballaghadereen in developing foundational language and literacy skills.

The LEARNS programme was developed in direct response to findings from the SALaM Ireland  study, which identified significant gaps in language support for newly arrived youth in Irish schools. By offering structured instruction in both Arabic literacy and English language acquisition, LEARNS addresses these gaps and promotes academic success through a research-informed, plurilingual approach.

Students participating in LEARNS engaged in daily sessions split between Arabic instruction and English as an Additional Language (EAL) studies. This dual-language model enabled learners to strengthen their Arabic reading and writing skills while building confidence in English speaking, writing, and literacy, preparing them for EAL coursework in the upcoming academic year.

At St. Oliver’s Community College, 21 secondary students took part in the programme, led by a local educator who also teaches Arabic during the school year. The curriculum was interactive and responsive to student interests, incorporating activities such as story writing, Arabic calligraphy, and dialect storytelling. Following the 2024 session, the school added Arabic to its regular class schedule and hired a dedicated teacher, reflecting growing local community and institutional support for Arabic language education.

St. Nathy’s College  hosted 14 secondary students in a programme modeled after St. Oliver’s and informed by the SALaM Ireland study. Chase Smithburg, Senior Program Officer at QFI, noted:

“It was particularly exciting to witness the students’ motivation to develop their Arabic and English literacy. Their eagerness to support one another, especially among those with more advanced proficiency, demonstrated the programme’s impact not only academically, but socially and culturally.”

Following the conclusion of the St. Nathy’s programme, QFI was informed of an urgent need for additional language support due to the resettlement of families from Syria and Lebanon. In response, QFI launched a new LEARNS programme at  EROC Ballaghadereen  in July.

At EROC, 74 students participated, including 69 primary-level learners and five secondary-level student teaching assistants from St. Nathy’s. The programme was hosted in classrooms at the refugee reception center, which were repurposed for summer instruction. Students were grouped by proficiency level, with younger learners focusing on the Arabic alphabet, basic grammar, and vocabulary related to family and daily life. This rapid deployment highlights the programme’s adaptability and QFI’s commitment to meeting emerging needs. Plans are underway to explore sustainable implementation of this model.

Through initiatives like LEARNS, QFI continues to advance the value of plurilingualism and Arabic language education in schools serving Arabic-speaking populations. By addressing critical gaps in language support, LEARNS empowers students to succeed academically and socially, while helping schools build inclusive, student-centered language programmes.

QFI remains committed to expanding access to Arabic language learning and supporting educators in developing sustainable, research-informed programmes that reflect the needs of diverse student communities.

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