QFI Joins Global Educators to Support Arabic Language Education at Language World

Qatar Foundation International (QFI) participated in and chaired sessions at the Association for Language Learning (ALL) Conference, Language World 2025, held from 14-15 March in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK. Under the theme "Weaving a Rich Tapestry: Our Languages, Our World(s)," the conference brought together hundreds of language educators to celebrate the value of language learning, highlight the societal benefits of multilingualism, and promote representation, inclusivity, and accessibility in education.

QFI’s annual participation underscores its commitment to collaborating with educators and advancing Arabic as part of a more inclusive educational landscape in the UK.

This year’s event highlighted the growing representation of Arabic language education, with over 20 Arabic educators attending or presenting. Many of these educators, supported by QFI’s professional development initiatives, contributed as thought leaders through accepted presentations. The educator presentations were selected through ALL’s rigorous, independent review process and are a testament to how recognizing Arabic as a world language benefits all learners. The growing presence of Arabic at the conference reflects QFI’s dedication to elevating Arabic in multilingual education and professionalizing language teaching.

Judith Rifeser, President of ALL, virtually opened the conference with an inspiring message: "We are shaping global citizens and preparing them to navigate our beautiful, complex, breathtaking, and challenging world. As we listen and learn, engage and explore, and are inspired by meeting old and new friends, let us strengthen the ties that unite us. This conference is not just an event—it is a celebration of our community. Together, we weave the future of language education that is vibrant, inclusive, and accessible to all.”

QFI’s Executive Director, Latrecia Wilson, emphasized the importance of the conference for QFI’s mission: “Language World 2025 is a key platform for QFI to connect with educators, share best practices, and advocate for the inclusion of Arabic in global language education in the UK. As Judith Rifeser highlighted, this conference is about weaving a future where language education is vibrant, inclusive, and accessible to all. For QFI, this means ensuring that Arabic is integrated into the evolving landscape of global education. Our participation reaffirmed our commitment to building a community that values and celebrates the richness of Arabic as part of a multilingual world.”

Building on this vision, QFI’s participation in the conference was mission-driven, focusing on key areas to advance Arabic language education. QFI’s continued efforts to uplift Arabic as a global language were reinforced through its support of Arabic educators presenting on relevant topics. For example, in the session “Step by Step to Write an Essay in Arabic,” Seloua Nedjai showcased effective strategies for scaffolding and expanding students' linguistic repertoire. While initially uncertain about the session’s impact on other Modern Foreign Language (MFL) educators, she was thrilled to find that many attendees were non-Arabic MFL teachers who could apply her strategies in their own classrooms.

QFI is also committed to encouraging a pipeline of skilled Arabic educators to build a strong network of Arabic teachers. The Arabic educators presenting at the conference tied directly into QFI’s work of uplifting Arabic as a global language and building a robust educator network. In the session “From Community Language to Modern Foreign Language: Teaching Arabic in Multicultural Schools,” Fauzia Saeed addressed the challenges of Heritage and Home Community Language (HHCL) education, highlighting gaps between GCSE requirements and classroom realities. She encouraged educators to advocate for policy changes to better reflect their needs. QFI recognizes the need to support educators such as ALL presenters and bursary recipients to build community, position themselves as part of the broader MFL community, and become thought leaders in the language learning field.

Throughout the conference, QFI staff played a pivotal role, chairing sessions and leading discussions on innovative Arabic teaching methods. Their sessions provided both Arabic and non-Arabic educators with practical strategies to enhance their teaching and ensure Arabic is taught with the same professionalism and accessibility as other global languages.

In the session “Introducing HHCL into the MFL Classroom,” QFI Program Officer Tahreem Akhtar demonstrated how positioning Arabic as both a heritage and modern foreign language fosters cross-cultural understanding. This approach strengthens global connections and highlights the importance of Arabic within a broader linguistic context. As one attendee remarked, “It’s not about heritage or non-heritage—it’s about the love of language learning.”

QFI’s participation in Language World 2025 showcased its dedication to advancing Arabic language education, empowering educators, and ensuring Arabic’s place in the future of global multilingualism. Through its efforts to foster inclusivity and promote language learning, QFI inspires a new generation to embrace Arabic as a global language.

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 the Association for Language Learning (ALL) 

The Association for Language Learning (ALL) is the UK's major subject association for teachers of foreign languages. We support and represent teachers of all languages in all sectors. Whether you're a generalist primary teacher, a languages coordinator in a primary school, a specialist secondary languages teacher or Curriculum lead for languages, we can offer you the support you need.