Andrea Facchin

Andrea Facchin is an Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. His expertise spans TAFL (Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language), language policy, and cross-cultural communication. He leads the DAR Laboratory for Arabic language teaching innovations and co-developed the CALI certification for Italian learners. He chairs Italy’s team in Qatar Foundation International’s Arabic Language Programs Survey. His research emphasizes historical and contemporary Arabic pedagogy, non-verbal communication, and sociopolitical influences on language education.

Education & Leadership: Holds a PhD from Ca' Foscari, where he also teaches. Active in editorial roles for Quaderni di Studi Arabi. Fluent in Arabic (advanced written/spoken) and English (advanced).

Research Focus: Explores TAFL’s evolution since the 1960s, CEFR integration, pronunciation pedagogy, and Sudan’s 1950s Arabization efforts. His 2019 monograph Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language earned Ca’ Foscari’s Research Award. Recent work includes a translation of Ibrahim Darghuthi’s novel Le palme muoiono in piedi.

Awards & Impact: 2020 Starting Research Award for his groundbreaking TAFL scholarship. Engages students in cultural projects like writing human rights texts in Arabic, bridging language learning with societal values.

Collaborations: Works internationally with institutions in Finland, Netherlands, and Tunisia. Part of the American Councils for International Education for CALI development. Editor for Études sémitiques and Lettera a una professoressa editions.