6th Biennial U-M International Conference on
Arabic Applied Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
October 31 – November 1, 2026
SATURDAY, October 31, 2026
Michigan League: Henderson Hall (3rd Floor)
7:30-8:15 Registration: Michigan League (3rd Floor)
Coffee/Tea & Light Refreshments
8:15-8:30 Welcome–Opening Remarks
Mohammad T. Alhawary, Conference Organizer, University of Michigan
8:30-10:30 PANEL 1: ARABIC L1 and L2 Acquisition
Chair: Mohammad T. Alhawary, University of Michigan
8:30-9:00 Input Frequency and Transparency Effects in Initial Arabic L2 Acquisition:
Evidence from Francophone Adult Learners
Hedi Majdoub, University Paris 8, France
9:00-9:30 Computational Modeling of Morphological Development in Arabic L2 Learners:
A Corpus-Based Study in Light of Alhawary’s Acquisition Hypotheses
Fayz Torky, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
9:30-10:00 Examining Variation in Arabic Heritage Language Competence: Evidence from
the Use of Negation in Cairene and Damascene Arabic
Ahmed Farahat, University of Michigan & Oberlin College
10:00-10:30 Transferring Language from Spoken to Written Mode: A Psycholinguistic
Study
Abdulmohsen S. Aloqaili, King Saud University & Abdulkarim S. Alharbi, Ministry of
Education, Saudi Arabia
10:30-10:45 Coffee/Tea Break
10:45-12:15 PANEL 2: AFFECTIVE AND LEARNING MODELS
Chair: Abdulkafi Albirini, Utah State University
10:45-11:15 Task Effects and Proficiency Moderation in L2 Arabic Speech Perception
Mahmoud Ali, University of Michigan
11:15-11:45 Fostering High-Impact Practices through Digital Storytelling: A Self-
Determination Theory Perspectives
Abdelaadim Bidaoui, Ball State University, Faisal Hamad Alharbi, King Salman Global
Academy for Arabic Language, & Nidia Filis, Ball State University
11:45-12:15 The Influence of Social Variable on Language Development
Ahmad Reyad Tuama Halabi, Qatar University, Qatar
12:15-2:00 Lunch Break
2:00-4:00 PANEL 3: DISCOURSE ON LANGUAGE IDENTITY AND IDEOLOGY
Chair: Saeed Ali Al Alaslaa, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
2:00-2:30 French for Assessment, Arabic for Understanding: L2 Processing and Scientific
Meaning-Making in Moroccan Secondary Schools
Adam Ziad, Florida Atlantic University & Brahim Chakrani, Michigan State University
2:30-3:00 Media Framing and the Activation of Cultural Identities in Conflict Reporting:
Moroccan Coverage of the Gaza War
Abdelaadim Bidaoui, Ball State University & Nassim Mahfoud, University of Regina,
Canada
3:00-3:30 The Limits of Monodialectalism: Language Ideologies and the Hetroglossic
Nature of Crossdialectal Sitcoms
Brahim Chakrani, Michigan State University
3:30-4:00 Islamophobia: Past and Present
Abdulkafi Albirini, Utah State University
4:00-4:15 Coffee/Tea Break
4:15-5:15 KEYNOTE
Rethinking Arabic diglossia: Bridging Research and Practice Based on Evidence
from Linguistics and Cognitive Neuroscience
Ali Idrissi, Qatar University, Qatar
5:30-9:00 DINNER: Koessler Hall (3rd Floor)
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Michigan League: Koessler Hall (3rd Floor)
8:00-8:30 Coffee/Tea & Light Refreshments: Koessler Hall (3rd Floor)
8:30-10:30 PANEL 4: ARABIC L2 PEDAGOGY
Chair: Said Hannouchi, University of Michigan
8:30-9:00 Bridging Language and Culture: Approaches and Applications for Literature-
based Arabic Language Teaching
Mohamed Hassan, Amherst College & Nahla Khalil, University of Massachusetts Amherst
9:00-9:30 The Everyday Literature Framework (ELF): Reimagining Arabic Language
Teaching through Culturally Embedded Practices in K–12 Contexts
Sherif Elshaerakwy, University of Calgary, Canada
9:30-10:00 The Arabic Root and Pattern System in Vocabulary Learning: A Multi-
Perspective Study of Teachers and Learners in the AFL Classroom
Silvia Lodi, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
10:00-10:30 Teaching Vocabulary and Grammar in TAFL Textbooks: A Comparative
Analysis of Texts and Example Use
Abdulkareem Said Ramadan, Gettysburg College
10:30-10:45 Coffee/Tea Break
10:45-12:15 PANEL 5: AI AND LANGUAGE TEACHING
Chair: Abdulkareem Said Ramadan, Gettysburg College
10:45-11:15 The Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence in Supporting Arabic Language
Learning for Students with Disabilities and Non-Native Speakers: An Applied
Study in Higher Education
Khaoula Ez-zalzouli, Firat University, Turkey
11:15-11:45 Empowering Language Learners and Teachers with ChatGPT: Innovative
Approaches to Pronunciation and Skill Development
Shorouk Ahmed, The University of Memphis & Edna F. Lima, Ohio University
11:45-12:15 Translating Verbs in Omani Proverbs into English: A Comparison Between
Gemini, ChatGPT, and Human Translation
Masoud Said Salim AL-Hadidi, University of Nizwa, Oman
12:15-2:00 Lunch Break
2:00-3:00 KEYNOTE
From Generative AI to Generative Pedagogy: A Proficiency-Based, Human-
Centered Framework for Arabic Language Instruction
Attia M. Youseif, Indiana University
3:00-3:15 Coffee/Tea Break
3:15-5:15 PANEL 6: DISCOURSE ON LANGUAGE CHANGE AND INNOVATION
Chair: Brahim Chakrani, Michigan State University
3:15-3:45 Arabic Script, Amazigh Voices: Language Ideologies and Applied Insights from
Manuscript Practices in Morocco
Dris Soulaimani, San Diego State University
3:45-4:15 The Gamification of Arabic: Translanguaging and Language Innovation among
Saudi Youth in Electronic Gaming Discourse Communities
Saeed Ali Al Alaslaa, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
4:15-4:45 Forensic Linguistics in Trademark Disputes: Evidence from the Jordanian Legal
Context
Doaa Riziq, Applied Science Private University, Jordan
4:45-5:15 Collocations in the Doha Historical Dictionary
Mohammed Al-Obaidi, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies & Kholoud Al-Sofi,
Languages Institute, Qatar Ministry of Defense, Qatar
