Joint Event by Goethe Institute and TIU’s ELT Department
Date: November 20, 2025
Venue: Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
Tishk International University is pleased to announce the upcoming International Workshop on “The Kurdish Language Textbook in Transition,” organized collaboratively by the Goethe Institute and the English Language Teaching Department, Faculty of Education, TIU.
This important international event will bring together leading German and Kurdish linguists, educators, and policymakers to engage in a forward-looking dialogue on the future of Kurdish language teaching, particularly for non-Kurdish speakers living and working in the Kurdistan Region.
Addressing Growing Linguistic Needs
The workshop arises from the growing linguistic needs of an increasingly diverse Kurdistan Region. With ongoing economic expansion and a rapidly internationalizing population, many non-Kurdish speakers seek opportunities to learn Kurdish for social, academic, and professional integration.
| SDG | Alignment |
|---|---|
| SDG 4 – Quality Education | Enhancing access to language learning promotes modern, inclusive approaches to language instruction |
| SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities | Linguistic inclusion ensures all residents can fully participate in the region’s social and professional life |
| SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals | Cross-border academic collaboration strengthens sustainable educational development |
Exchange of International Expertise
A key feature of the workshop is the exchange of international expertise, particularly drawing on the experience of German institutions in teaching German as a foreign language.
International Experts:
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Dr. Kathrin Kunkel-Razum | German Linguist |
| Prof. Dr. Henning Lobin | German Linguist |
| Mr. Fahmi Kakaee | Language Education Specialist |
Distinguished Kurdish Scholars:
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Dr. Dyar Ali Kamal | Kurdish Linguist |
| Dr. Qais Kakil Tawfiq | Kurdish Language Specialist |
| Dr. Shakhawan Sideeq Ramadhan | Kurdish Language Education |
Their contributions will enrich discussions on:
-
Designing a cohesive Kurdish language curriculum
-
Developing a modern textbook framework tailored to non-native speakers
Workshop Activities
Throughout the day, participants will engage in:
| Activity | Focus |
|---|---|
| Keynote presentations | Insights from international and local experts |
| Panel discussions | Collaborative dialogue on language teaching challenges |
| Interactive sessions | Pedagogical innovation and curriculum design |
These activities aim to:
-
Explore existing challenges in Kurdish language education
-
Lay the foundation for a comprehensive Kurdish language textbook
-
Support learners within the growing international community in the region
By integrating global expertise with local linguistic realities, the workshop seeks to advance a more inclusive and accessible educational environment — an essential step toward long-term sustainable development and intercultural understanding across the Kurdistan Region.
Expected Participants
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| Policymakers | Strategic planning for language education |
| Language teachers | Practical classroom insights |
| Curriculum developers | Textbook and material design |
| University students | Future educators and learners |
Registration
Tishk International University looks forward to welcoming all participants to this important event and to contributing to a future in which Kurdish language education is strengthened, modernized, and aligned with international academic standards.
Register here: The Kurdish Language Textbook in Transition: Inspired by German Experience
Keywords: Kurdish Language Textbook, Goethe Institute, ELT Department, Tishk International University, Language Education, Non-Native Speakers, SDG 4, SDG 10, SDG 17, German Experience, Linguistic Inclusion, Curriculum Development, International Workshop, Dr. Kathrin Kunkel-Razum, Prof. Dr. Henning Lobin, Dr. Dyar Ali Kamal, Dr. Qais Kakil Tawfiq, Dr. Shakhawan Sideeq Ramadhan
