All Things Arabic

Dec 06 2024 14 ep. 29 mins 3

All Things Arabic Podcast artwork

Join us as we dive into the vibrant world of Arabic language education, sharing resources, interviews with experts, success stories, and discussions of hot topics in the field. Get ready to be inspired, equipped, and connected in your journey as an Arabic language enthusiast. Hosted by Caroline Sibley, teaching assistant professor of Arabic at UNC Chapel Hill, and produced by QFI, an organization committed to advancing the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language.

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Building School Belonging for Newcomer Students: Insights from the SALaMA Study

Dec 06 2024 48 mins

The Study of Adolescent Lives after Migration to America (SALaMA) seeks to assess the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of high school students who have been – or whose parents have been – resettled to the US from the MENA region. QFI partnered with Washington University in St. Louis in and a number of school districts and local refugee resettlement agencies around the U

Lessons from Scotland: Innovative Approaches to Arabic Language Education

Oct 16 2024 25 mins

Are there lessons for Arabic language educators and admin in the way Scotland approaches language learning? In this episode of All Things Arabic, Fhiona Mackay, the Director of SCILT, explains how a hybrid teaching environment is helping students across the nation – even those in remote regions – learn Arabic. References: Scotland’s National Centre for Languages Common Europe

From the Classroom to the Boardroom: Using Arabic in Your Career

Aug 20 2024 23 mins

Learning Arabic can unlock new opportunities for both professional and personal growth. In this episode, four former students of Arabic meet for the first time and discuss how learning the language shaped their lives and led them to their current career paths. Listen as each guest reflects on how their study of Arabic has led them to where they are, and how it greatly enriched thei

Culture in Language Learning: Insights with Ustaaza Ibtissam

Jul 24 2024 17 mins

Incorporating art, music, and calligraphy into Arabic classrooms enhances students’ linguistic and cultural knowledge—and makes space for fun and creativity. Ustaaza Ibtissam, a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience teaching French and Arabic to both native and non-native speakers, shares how she connects classrooms in North America with refugees and teachers in L

Why Learn Arabic? A Chicago Parent’s Perspective

Jun 18 2024 15 mins

So far in All Things Arabic, we’ve heard from teachers, students, administrators, and researchers about Arabic language education. But what do parents of Arabic learners have to say about the language? In the latest episode, hear from Kelly, the parent of an Arabic learner at a secondary school in Chicago. Kelly shares her perspective on Arabic and the opportunities it has offere

Tips for Engaging Students and Communities: Insights into Arabic Language Education with Ustaaz Fadi

Jun 12 2024 26 mins

What’s the secret to expanding an Arabic program at a secondary school and building a love of language learning among students? Ustaaz Fadi has played a vital role in the creation, expansion and management of the World Language Curriculum at a state-funded school in Chicago. Hear from Fadi about his experience teaching Arabic and engaging students and communities, as well as his

Should Arabic Dialects Be Taught in the Classroom? What Research Reveals

May 15 2024 34 mins

Research is providing vital information on the impact of teaching dialects alongside Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Historically, MSA was the primary form of Arabic taught and learned, but in the past 10 years the use of spoken dialects has expanded in classrooms Guests Dr. Rasha Soliman, Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Linguistics at University of Leeds in England and Dr

Refugee Program in Ireland Paves the Way for English-Arabic Literacy

Apr 16 2024 42 mins

In Ireland, a unique pilot program for students from Syria provided intensive English and Arabic language lessons to help improve literacy over the summer of 2023. Many of these students had missed years of education and had poor language skills in both English and Arabic. This pilot, implemented based on findings from the SALaM Ireland research project, pioneers a path forward for

Arabic Language Assessments Part III: A Path to Standardization in Germany

Mar 19 2024 20 mins

This episode explores the reality of teaching Arabic in Germany through the lens of assessments, including process, problems, and successes. Dr. Peter Konerding, an Arabic teacher and the coordinator of the Center for the Arabic Language, discusses what the situation is and how CEFR standards can be applied to Arabic in Germany. References: German Arabic Teacher Association: https:

Arabic Language Assessments Part II: Examining the Arabic GCSE

Feb 20 2024 28 mins

In the UK, teachers are calling for changes to the current language assessment models. The difficulty of Arabic language assessments and a disconnect between classroom teaching and exams are potentially deterring students from studying the language.This episode of All Things Arabic discusses teachers’ experiences with the Arabic GCSE and the changes they recommend to improve stud