Joint Event by Goethe Institute and TIU’s ELT Department

Held on November 20, 2025 – TIU Campus, Erbil

Tishk International University is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the International Workshop on “The Kurdish Language Textbook in Transition,” a collaborative event between the Goethe Institute and the English Language Teaching Department, Faculty of Education, TIU.

The workshop brought together a distinguished group of international and local scholars, policymakers, and language educators for a full day of discussion, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative planning for the future of Kurdish language education in the Kurdistan Region.

A Day of Collaboration and Insight

With increasing cultural and linguistic diversity in the Kurdistan Region, the workshop addressed the growing need for structured, high-quality Kurdish language instruction for non-native adult speakers. Drawing on global practices, the event offered a dynamic platform for comparing educational models, exploring challenges, and identifying opportunities for reform.

Keynote Speakers and Contributors:

Name Affiliation/Role
Dr. Kathrin Kunkel-Razum German Linguist
Prof. Dr. Henning Lobin German Linguist
Mr. Fahmi Kakaee Language Education Specialist
Dr. Dyar Ali Kamal Kurdish Linguist
Dr. Qais Kakil Tawfiq Kurdish Language Specialist
Dr. Shakhawan Sideeq Ramadhan Kurdish Language Education

Moderators:

  • Ms. Liva Adil Shareef

  • Mr. Soran Abubakr Abdulrahman

The workshop featured highly interactive discussions that fostered meaningful academic cooperation.

Major Outcomes of the Workshop

The workshop concluded with several important outcomes that will guide future efforts in Kurdish language education:

1. Agreement on the Need for a Unified Kurdish Language Textbook

  • Participants reached consensus on developing a standardized Kurdish textbook for non-native speakers

  • The textbook will align with international language-teaching frameworks

  • It will incorporate communicative, learner-centered approaches inspired by successful foreign language teaching models

2. Identification of Core Curriculum Principles

  • Focus on practical communication skills

  • Inclusion of all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing

  • Integration of cultural elements to support social inclusion

  • Adaptation of CEFR-inspired proficiency levels for Kurdish

3. Strengthening International Academic Partnerships

  • The event laid the foundation for deeper collaboration between TIU and German institutions

  • Supports sustainable educational development and aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

4. Commitment to Reducing Linguistic Inequalities

  • Participants emphasized inclusive language access

  • Improving Kurdish language teaching contributes significantly to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by helping non-Kurdish residents integrate into social, academic, and professional life

5. Contribution to Advancing Quality Education

  • The workshop strengthened TIU’s role in promoting SDG 4 (Quality Education)

  • Fostering research-informed, innovative language teaching practices that benefit both educators and learners

Looking Ahead

The insights and collaborative spirit of the workshop mark an important step toward modernizing Kurdish language education in the Kurdistan Region. TIU, together with the Goethe Institute and participating experts, will continue working on the agreed roadmap to ensure that Kurdish learning materials meet international standards and effectively serve the region’s diverse population.

Thank You to All Participants

Tishk International University extends its gratitude to all speakers, panelists, attendees, and organizers who contributed to making this workshop a successful and forward-looking academic event. We look forward to announcing future meetings, progress updates, and the next phases of the textbook development project.

Keywords: Kurdish Language Textbook, Goethe Institute, ELT Department, Tishk International University, Language Education, Non-Native Speakers, SDG 4, SDG 10, SDG 17, CEFR, Curriculum Development, International Workshop, Dr. Kathrin Kunkel-Razum, Prof. Dr. Henning Lobin, Dr. Dyar Ali Kamal, Dr. Qais Kakil Tawfiq, Dr. Shakhawan Sideeq Ramadhan, Liva Adil Shareef, Soran Abubakr Abdulrahman