Qatar Foundation International

Zain’s Story: Speaking Arabic Was Only the Beginning

For Zain, a heritage learner of Arabic, the language was always close to home through family conversations, relatives abroad, Sunday school, summer programs, and community spaces. But when he began studying Arabic formally, he discovered new ways to use the language with confidence and purpose.

With support from QFI, Zain strengthened his reading, writing, grammar, and formal communication skills while pursuing a degree in Business Information Systems. Over time, Arabic became more than a connection to identity. It became a professional asset that could help him work across cultures, understand regional contexts, and build meaningful relationships in Arabic speaking business environments.

Zain’s journey shows that for heritage learners, speaking Arabic is only one part of a much larger path, one connected to education, career, service, and lifelong growth.

Read his full story to learn more about the impact Arabic has had on his studies and career path: https://www.qfi.org/blog/speak-arabic-zain/

Sam’s Story: How Arabic Becomes a Pathway of Possibility for Students

For Sam, learning the Arabic language has become more than a simple course of study. It is a language that shapes how she sees the world, how she connects with others, and how she imagines her future both academically and professionally. With QFI’s support, she was able to continue building her skills at a critical moment and carry that momentum into college.

Her story reflects the heart of Speak Arabic: when students have access to meaningful Arabic learning opportunities, the language can open pathways to global awareness, academic growth, confidence, connection, and futures they may not have imagined yet.

Read her full story to learn more about the impact Arabic has had on her studies and career path: https://www.qfi.org/blog/speak-arabic-sam-p/

How can framing Arabic writing as creative and empowering benefit both students and educators?

To explore this question, our newest blog, “Rethinking Writing in Arabic Classrooms: From Correction to Autonomy,” highlights the importance of writing, feedback, and educator guidance in Arabic language classrooms. In the blog, educator Joana emphasizes writing as a space for exploration, reflection, and growth. She explains how structuring writing tasks as a process and involving students actively at each stage can help them become more confident, thoughtful, and autonomous learners.

We invite educators, counselors, and program leaders to read the blog and share the 2026 Arabic Short Story Contest with eligible students as a creative opportunity to strengthen their Arabic learning.

Read the full blog and submit to the Contest: https://www.qfi.org/blog/rethinking-writing-in-arabic-classrooms/

Contest Deadline: April 29, 2026

What are the benefits of connecting Arabic education scholarship and research to educators in the field?

In this new blog, Aya, a recipient of the QFI Research Travel Grant (RTG), reflects on how the RTG helped her present her work, engage with scholars and practitioners in the field, and strengthen the connection between her research and the realities of K-12 Arabic education. Her experience shows how practitioners can help researchers gain valuable feedback and move their work forward in ways that are both academically meaningful and practically relevant.

Read how the RTG shaped Aya’s research journey: https://www.qfi.org/blog/where-research-meets-practice/

How can Arabic language assessment strengthen programs, empower teachers, and motivate students?

QFI is sharing its newest blog, “What Do We Mean by Assessment in Arabic Education?” As Arabic programs continue to grow, assessment plays a critical role in making student learning visible, informing instruction, and generating clear, credible evidence of program outcomes.

The blog explores how assessment goes beyond testing to show what students can actually do with Arabic, while supporting stronger program design and more effective decision making. To support this work, QFI provides funding for standardized proficiency assessments in public and state funded Arabic language programs aligned with approved curriculum frameworks.

What does effective assessment actually look like in practice, and why does it matter now more than ever?

Read the full blog: https://www.qfi.org/blog/arabic-education-assessments/

Attention Educators

Are you pursuing certification to teach Arabic in K–12 or primary/secondary education?

The Arabic Teacher Training Certification Award supports your journey through mentorship, credential navigation, and a professional network of Arabic language educators — helping you build confidence and progress toward certified teaching roles.

It's a rolling opportunity with no fixed deadline, open now through December 31, 2026, to educators in the United States, Italy, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Canada.

Start your certification pathway this year. Your classroom impact starts here.

Learn more and apply: https://www.qfi.org/news/2026-arabic-teacher-training-certification-award/

Attention educators: The 2026 Arabic Short Story Contest is still OPEN.

When Dana, an Arabic language educator in the United States, introduced the contest in her classroom, one of her students, Eythar, went on to write A City Without Fun. Her story shows what can happen when students are given the chance to use Arabic creatively and meaningfully.

During a high pressure testing period, the contest gave students space to imagine, create, and express their ideas in Arabic. Eythar’s story reflects the creativity, confidence, and language growth that can emerge when students are encouraged to write with purpose.

We invite educators to learn more, listen to Eythar’s story, and share this opportunity with students in grades 6 to 12.

Submission Deadline: April 29, 2026

Learn more and submit here: https://www.qfi.org/blog/arabic-short-story-contest-a-city-without-fun/

Attention Students: Apply to the 2026 First-Year University Award before it closes next week!

When Ja’Niah graduated high school, she faced a choice: continue Arabic or stop. She chose to continue and is now studying Biology with an Arabic minor as she works toward a career in healthcare, using her language skills to better connect with patients.

Her journey shows how Arabic can open real academic and career opportunities. That is exactly why the First-Year University Award exists: to support students like Ja’Niah as they carry their Arabic studies into university and beyond. Read her full story: https://www.qfi.org/blog/speak-arabic-janiah/

If you’re a high school senior studying Arabic, this is your chance to take the next step.

Apply before April 13, 2026. Learn more: https://qfi.smapply.org/prog/2026_first-year_university_award/

Open to eligible students in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Ireland, and Italy.

Celebrate student voice, creativity, and confidence in Arabic.

QFI is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 to 26 Arabic Speaking Competition, an initiative that brings Arabic learning to life beyond the classroom. With participation from 59 schools across 7 countries and more than 280 student entries, this year’s competition highlights the impact of meaningful Arabic learning opportunities.

Read the full press release and join us in celebrating the students, educators, and school communities who made this achievement possible: https://www.qfi.org/news/arabic-speaking-competition-2025-26/

The 2026 Arabic Short Story Contest is now OPEN!
We invite educators, counselors, and program leaders to share this meaningful opportunity with eligible students and encourage their participation.

Designed to strengthen Arabic language learning through creative expression, this contest gives students the chance to practice their language skills, explore their imagination, and grow in confidence as writers in Arabic.

By participating, students can deepen their connection to the Arabic language while developing proficiency in a creative and engaging context.

Submission Deadline: April 29, 2026.
​Learn more here: https://qfi.smapply.org/prog/short_story_2026/

مسابقة القصة القصيرة باللغة العربية لعام 2026 مفتوحة الآن!

ندعو المعلمين وقادة البرامج إلى مشاركة هذه الفرصة القيّمة مع طلابهم وتشجيعهم على المشاركة الفعّالة. تتيح هذه المسابقة للطلاب فرصة تنمية مهاراتهم اللغوية والكتابية، وتطوير قدرتهم على السرد والتعبير بوضوح، إلى جانب إطلاق العنان لخيالهم وتعزيز ثقتهم بأنفسهم في الكتابة باللغة العربية.

آخر موعد للتقديم هو 29 أبريل 2026.

للتعرف على المزيد من التفاصيل والتقديم، يرجى زيارة الرابط أدناه:
https://qfi.smapply.org/prog/short_story_2026/