QFI Hosts 2025 Summer Immersion Institute to Advance Arabic Language Education

Houston, TX (June 2025) — Qatar Foundation International (QFI) proudly hosted its annual Summer Immersion Institute from June 30 to July 3 at the Arabic Immersion Magnet School (AIMS) in Houston, Texas. This flagship professional development event brought together Arabic immersion educators from across the country to deepen their expertise in dual language immersion (DLI), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and mentorship practices.

Led by experts from the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) and UDL specialist Jeff Horwitz, the Institute was designed to strengthen classroom instructional practices and foster a vibrant, collaborative network of Arabic educators. Participants included over 20 educators from AIMS, Baltimore International Academy (BIA), Elizabeth Learning Center (ELC), PS 413, and other public schools committed to advancing Arabic dual language immersion education.

QFI’s leadership in Arabic language education is rooted in its mission to advance the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language. The Summer Immersion Institute exemplified this commitment by equipping educators with the tools, strategies, and community support needed to create inclusive, student-centered, and proficiency-based learning environments.

Throughout the four-day program, attendees engaged in sessions tailored to the unique needs of Arabic immersion classrooms. These sessions, developed in collaboration with CARLA and AIMS administrators, covered best practices in immersion pedagogy, curriculum design, and classroom innovation. The Institute also emphasized peer mentorship, offering structured opportunities for experienced educators to guide and support their colleagues through mini-sessions and collaborative planning and to establish connections between teachers and staff at different schools that extend beyond the Institute.

A key focus of this year’s Institute was inclusive education. QFI introduced principles of the Accessibility for Diverse Abilities and Styles in Arabic Education (ADASA) initiative to help ensure that Arabic language instruction is accessible to all learners, with an eye towards neurodiversity. A full day of programming was dedicated to UDL principles, led by a childhood education expert, to help educators design classrooms that are welcoming and effective for all students.

“The Summer Immersion Institute reflects QFI’s commitment to evidence-based practices and educator-led innovation,” said Chase Smithburg, Senior Program Officer. “We recognize that Arabic educators often work in isolation and lack specific professional development opportunities, and this event helped address those gaps and foster networks among teachers. By integrating dual language immersion strategies with Universal Design for Learning, we’re equipping Arabic educators with the tools to meet diverse learner needs and elevate the standards and accessibility of Arabic dual language immersion instruction.”

Through initiatives like the Summer Immersion Institute, QFI is building a robust, connected community of Arabic educators, demonstrating that teaching Arabic is not an isolated endeavor, but a collaborative, evolving profession. Looking ahead, QFI remains committed to creating opportunities for educators to grow, connect, and lead, ensuring the growth and sustainability of Arabic language education.

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.