QFI Participates in World CLIL 2025 Conference

Maynooth University, Ireland (June 2025) - Qatar Foundation International (QFI) participated in the World Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) 2025 conference, held in Maynooth, Ireland, from 13–14 June. The event was hosted by Maynooth University, Post-Primary Languages Ireland, and Queen’s University Belfast. This biennial conference brings together educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore innovative approaches to integrating content and language learning across disciplines in schools.

This year’s theme, CLIL Connects, focused on how CLIL supports pluriliteracies, plurilingualism, and intercultural competencies. These goals align with QFI’s mission to promote Arabic as a global language and to support the development of inclusive, multilingual learning environments.

As part of its commitment to supporting Arabic educator professional development and leadership experience, QFI provided Teacher Professional Development Grants to support a number of educators who had been accepted to present at the conference. One of the grantees, Dr. Fatima Khaled, presented her work titled “Empowering Heritage Bilingual Learners Through Art and Language: A CLIL Approach to Sustainability and Global Connection.” Her presentation explored how interdisciplinary, arts-based approaches can enhance language acquisition and global awareness—an area of growing interest in CLIL pedagogy.

“Content and Language Integrated Learning transforms education,” said Fatima Khaled. “Being part of this dedicated community and having the opportunity to present at this conference was an encouraging experience that motivates me to continue researching innovative approaches to language learning.”

QFI staff also attended the conference to engage with the global CLIL community, strengthen connections with the Study of Arabic Language Programs (SALP), and stay informed about emerging trends in language education. This presence reflects QFI’s ongoing efforts to build capacity in Arabic language acquisition in schools and to position Arabic as a world language.

Looking ahead, QFI will continue to collaborate with international partners and amplify the presence of Arabic language, research, and educator leadership within the CLIL community.