Academic interests
Teaching Arabic is not just my career, it is my passion and my commitment to fostering global citizenship through language education.
I specialize in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL) at the University of Oslo, where I teach Modern Standard Arabic and two dialectal varieties (Egyptian and Syrian/Levantine) across all bachelor-level proficiency courses (ARA 1010, 1020, 1030, 2011, 3010). Since Fall 2021, I have served as Arabic Program Coordinator, leading curriculum development, program evaluation, and international collaborations.
My work focuses on pedagogical innovation, technology integration in language education, and intercultural competence development.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that language learning is transformative. It broadens perspectives, opens access to other cultures, and empowers students to become global citizens capable of building meaningful connections across cultural boundaries. My teaching centers on developing students' communicative competence and intercultural awareness, two essential components of successful language learning.
Drawing on principles of Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), Project-Based Learning (PBL), and Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ICALL), I create learner-centered environments where students are the most active participants in their own learning. Through initiatives such as student-produced podcasts, the Arabic Chronicles online portfolio blog, and systematic integration of e-learning tools like Mentimeter and ChatGPT UiO, I design opportunities for students to engage meaningfully with Arabic language and culture both inside and outside the classroom.
As co-founder of the Digital Technology Forum for Languages (with Dr. Ruba Khamam, University of Leeds), I have engaged 485+ educators worldwide through webinars and symposia on practical AI integration in language teaching.
My approach to teaching is grounded in the belief that language education should empower students to trust their abilities, invest in their learning journey, and recognize the transformative power of connecting across cultures.
Other
- Representative of Permanent Academic Staff, IKOS Department Board (2025-2028)
- ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) Certified Tester (2024-2028)
- Nominee for Cultural and Social Activities Award (Velferdsprisen) (2024)
Languages
- Native in Arabic
- Advanced Proficiency in English
- Advanced Proficiency in French
- B2 in Norwegian Language
- A2 in Spanish Language