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Over the past 10 years the Arabic program at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) has been predominantly involved in defining, articulating, and offering a separate track in Arabic language, culture, and literature introduced as Heritage Arabic. This track targets students of Arab descent, who have a connection to Arabic culture but whose pre-college language of instruction is not Arabic. While speaking one Arabic dialect fluently, these students have limited exposure to Modern Standard Arabic, which usually influences their competency in reading and writing skills. Constituting the majority of our Arabic students at GU-Q, these students often graduate from international high schools in the Arab world, but can also be identified among Arab communities living outside the Arab world. This symposium seeks to address significant aspects of heritage Arabic education. It aspires to provide a platform for sharing and discussing key issues in this field. Given the recent recognition of this separate track in Arabic learning, much needs to be done in terms of research, course preparation, and material development. Participants are expected to share their research on heritage Arabic education, whether in the Arab world or elsewhere.Suggested themes of the symposium are:Heritage Arabic: Concepts and DefinitionsHeritage Arabic Learners in the Arab worldHeritage Arabic: East and WestAcquisition of Arabic as a Heritage LanguageTeaching Literature for Heritage LearnersArabic: Native vs. HeritageHeritage vs BilingualismLinguistic Features of Heritage LearnersCurriculum DevelopmentHeritage Learners: Challenges and StrugglesCurriculum: Content-based vs. Skill-based 2Proficiency and AssessmentImportant DatesSymposium Dates:&#160;April 24-25, 2019.Deadline for Abstracts (250-400 words):&#160;December 10, 2018.Notification of Acceptance:&#160;January 20, 2019.Deadline for Paper Submission:&#160;March 25, 2019.Symposium InformationVenue:&#160;Georgetown University in Qatar.Abstract submission:&#160;Please send your abstract to&#160;arabicevents @ georgetown.edu.Languages:&#160;Arabic and EnglishAccommodation:&#160;Free accommodation for international participants.Publication:&#160;Selected papers will be published after a review process.URL : https://www.qatar.georgetown.edu/faculty/arabic-events