Reimagining Arabic Education in the United States: Innovation, Sustainability, and Access (K–16)

Friday, May 15, 2026 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Join us for the DC Arabic Teachers’ Council third annual Arabic Language Education Forum (ALEF) at Northern Virginia Community College, May 15, 2026 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Register | In-Person

Register | Online

This year’s theme, “Reimagining Arabic Education in the United States: Innovation, Sustainability, and Access (K–16),” invites educators, researchers, and policymakers to rethink how Arabic is taught and learned across all levels of education. It highlights the need for innovative pedagogies, sustainable program development, and expanded access to high-quality Arabic instruction from kindergarten through higher education. By addressing current challenges and exploring forward-looking solutions, the conference aims to foster inclusive, resilient, and dynamic Arabic language education in diverse learning contexts.

Time	Event
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM	Registration and Welcome Coffee/Breakfast
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM	Opening Remarks
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM	Panel 1: Innovation and Access in Arabic Education Chair: Fadwa Hussein, DC Public Schools Presenters: Rolla Elsaiary Arabic Immersion Magnet School, Houston, Texas Empowering 21st Century Learners through Project-Based Language Learning in the Arabic Classrooms Hala Abdou Arlington Public Schools Integrating Waldorf-Inspired Practices in Arabic Language Teaching
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM	Coffee Break
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM	Panel 2: Integrating AI tools in Arabic language learning: opportunities and limitations Chair: Kamilia Rahmouni, Virginia Commonwealth University Presenters: Mimi Melkonian (Online) Brunswick School, Greenwich, Connecticut From Calligraphy to Code: Arabic Learning in the AI Era Ghayda Al Ali Georgetown University Exploring the Role of AI in an Arabic Beginner II Course
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM	Lunch Break
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	Panel 3: Addressing Program Sustainability Chair: Hala Abdou, Arlington Public Schools Presenters: Fadi Abughoush (Online) Lindblom Math & Science Academy, Chicago, Illinois Curriculum Reform in Arabic as a Second Language: Building Proficiency Through Student-Centered Learning Ismail Ibn Ali Al-Fatih Academy Arabic for What? Insights from Muslim K–12 Schools for Sustainable Arabic Education in the U.S.
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM	Coffee Break
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM	Panel 4: Building equitable access to Arabic programs nationwide Chair: Sana Hilmi, Northern Virginia Community College Presenters: Ethan Trinh Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia Community-Led Growth: Strengthening Arabic Programs through Collective Care and Strategies at the Arabic Teachers Council of the South Francesco Sinatora George Washington University Coordination, Continuity, and Inclusion: Toward a Humanization of the Arabic Curricula
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM	Closing Remarks, Group Picture, Conference Survey, and Coffee

Where

Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus, Building CA (Student Services) Annandale VA 22003

Room: 321

Admission

Open to everyone.