Opportunities for Schools & Organizations

350+ NaTakallam classroom sessions to bring displaced people’s voices to discussions about migration into schools around the world

86 students traveling to the Arab world though Classroom Connections grants

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new partnerships

Opportunities for Schools & Organizations Classroom Connections grants provide supplementary funding of up to $55,000 for secondary school teachers to take student groups on immersive travel abroad experiences to Qatar. We believe travel experiences are vastly enhanced by including pre-trip virtual exchange activities to better engage with the host culture. In keeping with this mission, applications must include a virtual exchange program that ties in directly with their trip. For any questions regarding the application or program contact connectedcommunities@qfi.org. Classroom Connections Grant

QFI is partnering with NaTakallam to give students engaging, language practice and opportunities for a cultural exchange, without leaving the classroom! Connect Your Classroom With An Arabic-Speaking Refugee

NaTakallam (“we speak” in Arabic) connects displaced persons, called Conversation Partners (CP), with students around the world. Our partnership with NaTakallam provides virtual guest speaker sessions that allows students all over the world to interact and learn more about their CP’s lives, the Arab world or simply to learn Arabic! Programs can be conducted in German, English or Arabic (or a mix of both) as a single 60-minute session, or a three- or 10-part series, any of which can be integrated into an existing school class or an extracurricular club activity.

To bring NaTakallam to your school and to request QFI-supported scholarship funding visit www.natakallam.com/in-the-classroom/.

Convenings

QFI gathers with members of our community to participate in professional development and share opportunities for strengthening connections. We sponsor teachers and leaders in our network aiming to increase the presence and participation of voices representing Arabic and the Arab world. Some of the conferences we attend and sponsor annually are: • American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) • AFS Global Conference • ASPEN Ideas Festival • EdLeader21 • Expolingua • International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education • International Virtual Exchange Conference • Liverpool Arab Arts Festival • London Language Show • Multilingual Education Fair of DC • National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL) • National Council on the Social Studies (NCSS) • National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) • National Forum to Advance Rural Education • Salzburg Global Seminar • Shubbak Festiva • SXSWEdu • World Innovation Summit on Education (WISE)

Grants to Schools

Since 2009, QFI has provided direct support to schools who want to establish or expand Arabic language programs at the primary and secondary school level. Funding is available to public or public charter schools in the U.S., and statefunded schools in the U.K. and Germany and can provide support for teacher salary or classroom curriculum material and development. Grants for schools are intended to create sustainable programs within five years. Currently, QFI’s school grants reach more than 3,200 students in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Contact us at arabic@qfi.org to discuss applying for a school grant. Proposals are submitted through QFI’s grants management portal at qfi.fluidreview.com.

Visit pages 16-17 to see where we currently support Arabic programs in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Resources

Al Masdar

Al Masdar is a robust online resource database featuring high-quality teaching materials and resources for Arabic language educators as well as educators in the social studies, humanities, and arts fields. The database is comprised of lesson plans, units, supplementary resources, and authentic materials that can be quickly accessed for use in the classroom, including hydroponics curriculum, Arabic Yoga, and the Arabic Thematic Lesson Series. Users can create and upload their own teaching materials to share with other educators. You can explore all of the available resources and filter them based on your area of focus at www.teachalmasdar.com.

Mosaic Tilemaker App

Mosaic Tilemaker is an interdisciplinary, interactive website and mobile application that introduces students to the fundamental concepts of Islamic art and architecture by exploring and creating mosaic tile art. Students can learn about the history and mathematical principles behind this art and use a fun and interactive tool to create and share their own mosaic tiles online. You can visit tilemaker.teachalmasdar.org or download it on both iTunes and the Google Play Store.