The Department of Arabic Language Instruction (ALI), and the Department of Applied Linguistics and Educational Studies at the American University in Cairo (AUC)

are delighted to announce the biennial International Conference on "Innovation and the Evolving Landscape of Arabic Language Learning: K-16 and Beyond".

This prestigious event will bring together scholars, educators, policymakers, and practitioners from across the globe to foster vibrant dialogue and collaboration in Arabic linguistics and pedagogy. Attendees will engage with cutting-edge research, innovative teaching methodologies, and emerging trends shaping the future of Arabic language learning, with a comprehensive focus on K-16 education and beyond, addressing Arabic as both a first (L1) and foreign/second language (FL/L2).

Pre-Conference Workshops Dates: 15-16 December, 2025

Conference Dates: 17-18 December, 2025

Location: The American University in Cairo, New Cairo Campus

Key Themes and Topics

We invite papers and presentations addressing the following focus areas:

1. K-16 Education: Building the Foundations

• Innovative teaching methodologies for Arabic language instruction
• Curricular design and integration of dialects with Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
• Advances in assessment and adaptive evaluation tools
• Technology integration in classroom instruction (e.g., gamification, AR/VR, mobile apps)

2. Beyond the Classroom: Expanding Opportunities

• The role of online learning platforms and virtual classrooms in Arabic education
• Designing effective heritage language programs for diverse learner needs
• Immersion experiences and their impact on linguistic and cultural competence
• Intercultural communicative teaching in global contexts
• Academic community engagement through Arabic language initiatives

3. Evolving Trends: Adapting to a Changing World

• Applications of artificial intelligence in Arabic language learning and assessment
• Corpus Linguistics and its role in Arabic language research and pedagogy
• Arabic language education in the context of globalization
• First and second language acquisition research and its implications for teaching Arabic
• Addressing varieties of Arabic: Diglossia, dialects, and code-switching

4. Linguistics and Pedagogy: Bridging Research and Practice

• Advances in phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics, and pragmatics
• Lexicography and the development of learner-friendly Arabic dictionaries
• Pedagogy for Arabic as a global language
• Sociolinguistics and cultural dynamics in Arabic instruction
• Teacher education and professional development in Arabic language teaching

Call for Papers

We warmly invite all esteemed researchers, educators, and practitioners to contribute to the conference by submitting their research abstracts and papers. High-quality research contributions showcasing original and unpublished work—whether conceptual, empirical, experimental, or theoretical—are highly encouraged for presentation. The conference welcomes submissions in all areas of Arabic language and linguistics, that align with the conference themes and topics.

• Word limit: 250-300 words
• Include: Title, author(s), affiliation(s), and 3-5 keywords

Deadline for Abstract Submission: June 30, 2025

Notification of Acceptance: August 31, 2025

Go to Abstract guidelines, and submit through the form here.

Program