Mourad Diouri (SFHEA)

Teaching Fellow (Arabic), eLearning Officer

Biography

Background

Of Moroccan origin Mourad Diouri has spent almost a decade of his professional career teaching languages at a number of institutions across the UK. His career and passion for teaching began at the University of East Anglia where he won the University‘s Award of Excellence in Teaching in 2005 for the Most Innovative Course Design and as a result of integrating educational technologies into classroom teaching.

He moved to Edinburgh in 2007 to take up his current post, where his enthusiasm for language teaching combined with technology became a reality. Now specialising in TELL (Technology Enhanced Language Learning), Mourad has made it a personal mission to modernise and advance the teaching of Arabic and other foreign languages.

Mourad is regularly involved in teacher-training designing regular CPD courses in teaching foreign languages with technology and eLearning and has designed and delivers a regular 2-day training programme delivered across the UK. 

Teaching Awards & Grants

  1. (2018) Student Experience Grant, U. of Edinburgh, [Awarded the highest grant available] Goo.gl/n9z2bQ

  2. (2016) Innovation Initiative Grant, U. of Edinburgh Development Trust

  3. (2016) Award for Excellence in External Engagement (Runner Up)

  4. (2011) Nominated for the Edinburgh University Student Association (EUSA) Teaching Award.

  5. (2011) e-Assessment Innovation Award (Winner)

  6. (2011) Formative e-Assessment Award (Highly Commended)

  7. (2009) eLearning Awards (Shortlisted for “Excellence in the Production of e-Learning Content)

  8. (2004-2005) Teaching Excellence Award for Innovative Course Design & Teaching Strategies, U. of East Anglia 

Responsibilities & affiliations

RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • External Verifier (Customised Award:  Arabic Language): Scottish Qualifications Authority (2019 - Present) 
  • Chief External Examiner: with the UK Open University Validation Services (examining and moderating PG degrees, namely MEd Instructional Technology) taught at the Arab Open University in Jordan, Oman & Kuwait  (2018 – Present)
  • Validation Panel Member with the UK Open University Validation Services (validating and reviewing PG courses, namely MEd Instructional Technology) taught at the Arab Open University in Jordan, Oman & Kuwait  (2010 – 2018)

  • External Advisor & Consultant:  The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School (Arabic Language Assessment & eLearning)

  • External Advisor & Consultant: Oundle School (Arabic Language Assessment & eLearning)

  • Language Assessor & External Examiner: Ministry of Defence, UK 

  • Arabic Language Consultant with Charles Letts & Co. Ltd 

  • External Examiner (Arabic Language Programme) with Aston University, UK 

 

AFFILIATIONS 

  • Senior Fellow/Practitioner (SFHEA),  The Higher Education Academy (HEA) & Edinburgh Teaching Award (EdTA)  (2021-Present)
  • Practitioner/Fellow (FHEA): The Higher Education Academy (HEA) (2007) 
  • Registered Practitioner (FSEDA): Staff & Educational Development Association (SEDA) (2007) 

Undergraduate teaching

  • Moroccan Arabic Dialect: Preparatory language course for UG Arabic Language students planning to continue their study abroad programme in Morocco 

Postgraduate teaching

Postgraduate Teaching

  • e-Learning Programme (PG Intensive Arabic Programme)

  • Intensive Arabic A

  • Intensive Arabic B

  • Advanced Arabic E

  • Advanced Arabic D

  • Advanced Arabic G

  • Advanced Arabic H
  • Approaches to Research in Advanced Arabic

Postgraduate Course Oganiser 

Year 2 of PG Arabic Language Progamme 

  • Advanced Arabic E

  • Advanced Arabic D

Programmes

Research summary

  • Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language
  • Teacher Professional Development (Use of Technology in Teaching Languages)
  • Blended Learning & Teaching of Modern Foreign Languages
  • Emerging tools and technologies for teaching MFL and Arabic
  • Arabic Loanwords in European Languages

Project activity

Edinburgh Arab Festival (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)

Mourad Diouri is the founder and director of the Edinburgh Arab Festival, which was launched in 2015 as the first ever Arab Festival in Scotland. The festival is an annual event and is registered as part of the internationally renowned Edinburgh International Arts Festival, known as the Fringe Festival.

The festival is a vibrant two-day event to introduce the rich cultural, literary and historical heritage of the Arab world to the public. The event's programme  include events such as: keynote speech by high-profile speakers, exhibition and art galleries, live entertainment, food tasting and multiple live workshops in language, poetry, storytelling and art.

w: edarabfest.co.uk

w: EdArabFest at Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

e: info@edarabfest.co.uk

f: facebook.com/edarabfest

t: twitter.com/edarabfest

Books

Articles and Book Chapters

  • Diouri, M. (2010), Blending the Old and New Ways of Teaching Tools: Revolutionizing Traditional Arabic Language Learning & Teaching, ARABELE 2009 International Congress on Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language, Spain
  • Diouri, M. (2009), A Taste Of The Arabic Language, Liaison Magazine, Volume 3, Language, Linguistics & Studies, Higher Education Academy
  • Diouri, M. (2009), A Job Like Mine (Carving a career in e-Learning), e-Learning Age Magazine
  • Diouri, M. (2009), 4 Ts (Top Ten Tips To) Improve Your Language Learning Skills Abroad, eZine Articles, eZinearticles.com

Other Selected e-Learning Resources

This article was published on