Arabic Language Conference In Sharjah To Host 8th International Event On Teaching And Learning Arabic

The Arabic Language Education Centre for Gulf States in Sharjah has announced that the 8th International Arabic Language Conference will take place on 28–29 January 2026, bringing together 118 researchers and speakers from 23 countries for 33 specialised workshops and sessions in both in-person and virtual formats.

The conference is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and is organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The theme is "Teaching and Learning Arabic: Looking Towards the Future – Requirements, Opportunities, and Challenges", with the slogan "We Create with Arabic."

Organisers state that the event aims to address future needs in teaching Arabic by generating practical recommendations, updating curricula that support identity and creativity, strengthening teacher training through advanced programmes, and working towards unified Arabic language proficiency standards that can guide institutions across different countries and educational systems.

The conference will explore six key themes. These include curriculum development linked to digital education and identity, teacher preparation and training aligned with 21st-century skills, modern methods of assessment, innovative teaching strategies and remedial programmes, Arabic language teaching for non-native speakers, and the use of artificial intelligence and digital literature within educational environments.

According to Dr Issa Saleh Al-Hammadi, Director of the Gulf Arabic Language Education Centre, the gathering serves as a high-level international platform to discuss challenges in teaching and learning Arabic, present innovative initiatives, and offer practical solutions drawn from the latest research, with participation by specialists representing 23 different national contexts.

Dr Al-Hammadi explained that the programme includes 33 scientific sessions, consisting of 22 seminars, three plenary sessions, and eight training workshops. A total of 85 academic research papers and 20 best-practice and applied experience papers will be presented, reflecting both theoretical work and field applications in Arabic language education.

International Arabic Language Conference preparation and partnerships

The announcement came during a press conference at the Centre’s headquarters in University City, Sharjah, attended by representatives from educational, cultural, and media institutions, where speakers underlined the conference’s growing international reputation and the qualitative and quantitative progress reached by this eighth edition compared with earlier gatherings.

Dr Al-Hammadi stated that preparations started last March, describing them as evidence of the professional planning behind the event. Salem Omar Salem, Director of the ISESCO Regional Office in Sharjah, pointed to the strong strategic partnership supporting the conference and its contribution to international dialogue on linguistic and educational issues.

Adel Wahib, Director of Programmes at the Centre, reported a clear increase in participation compared with previous years. Wahib highlighted the expanded focus on artificial intelligence, noting that AI-related research papers grew from eight in the last edition to 21 papers in the 2026 programme, which reflects ongoing global technological developments influencing language education.

By combining in-person and virtual sessions under a future-focused theme, the 8th International Arabic Language Conference in Sharjah is positioned to review current practices, share research-based solutions, and support regional and international efforts to strengthen Arabic language teaching for native and non-native speakers across diverse educational contexts.

With inputs from WAM