Kurdish language classes help refugee students succeed in school
Kurdish language classes help refugee students succeed in school
Syrian refugee students take part in a Kurdish language class designed to help students adapt smoothly to this year’s curriculum.
In the heat of the day, groups of Syrian refugee students walk purposefully to the learning centre in Domiz refugee camp. Here, they are studying the local Kurdish dialects in preparation for the new school year. For many, these classes are not just about learning a language. They are an essential part of being able to integrate and study within the local school curriculum in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Thirteen-year-old Khalid and his friend Ruda are among those walking to their Kurdish classes. Both were born in Iraq after their families fled Syria more than a decade ago and hold big dreams for their education and future.
Khalid practices writing Kurdish words on the whiteboard, applying what he has learned in the language course.
“I want to do well in school and have a good future,” Khalid says, gripping his notebook tightly. “Learning Kurdish will help me understand all my subjects better. If I know the language well, I can succeed in school and in life.”
Ruda nods, her eyes bright with determination. “We speak Kurdish at home, but it is different from the local dialect,” she explains. “These classes help us understand the language used in schools here. If we learn it well, we can follow lessons easily, be part of the community, and make friends.”
Both Khalid and Ruda attend a school inside Domiz refugee camp. Until last year, the curriculum they studied was in Arabic. For the upcoming academic year, refugees up to Grade 7 will be included in public schools run by the Regional Government’s Ministry of Education as part of its Refugee Education Integration Policy. This means the language of instruction for students in these grades will switch from Arabic to Kurdish. The change is a major adjustment for refugee students, as even familiar subjects like science, history, and geography become challenging if they do not fully understand the language of instruction.
Ruda, together with her friends, attends a Kurdish language class in Domiz camp.
To support students, UNHCR, in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council, and in close coordination with the Ministry of Education in the Kurdistan Regional Government, has been running Kurdish language classes. The classes run three days a week, five hours a day, and are taught by both qualified local and Syrian refugee teachers. This initiative is funded by the Government of the Netherlands through the PROSPECTS partnership in Iraq.
In addition, as part of the Refugee Education Integration Policy, UNHCR has completed the construction of 182 new classrooms since 2022, including 8 new school buildings, which have helped the public schools absorb additional numbers of students.
Khalid explains why the classes matter so much. “If I can speak and understand Kurdish like the locals, I will not feel different anymore. I will be able to follow all my lessons in school, be ready for exams, and succeed in the next grade. It will help me build a future here.”
Ruda adds, “I want to continue my education and one day have a good job. Knowing local Kurdish will help me everywhere in school, at home, and later in life. It is not just a language. It is a key to everything we want to achieve here.”
The lessons are designed to make learning enjoyable and effective. Teachers use interactive activities, outdoor exercises, and games to help children practice speaking, listening, and writing skills. This hands-on approach allows students to engage with the language in multiple ways and build confidence.
The summer holidays see the highest attendance at these classes, but they remain open throughout the year. The goal is to provide steady support so students can keep up with the curriculum and gain confidence in speaking and understanding Kurdish.
For Khalid, the benefits go beyond academics. “It is important to know the language so I can be part of the community, make friends, and not feel left out. It is also important for my family and for all the children in the camp,” he says.
As the lessons end, Khalid and Ruda pack their notebooks and walk home together with other students, chatting in Kurdish with each other in the local dialect. Each new word they learn brings them closer to succeeding in school and building a life in the place they now call home.
The language classes are not just available for students. UNHCR also organise similar classes for parents and teachers, helping them Kurdish so they can support children at home and guide them effectively in school.
“This year, over 5,033 refugee students, teachers, and parents attended these classes across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” says Rebeen Rasheed, UNHCR Education Officer in Erbil. “The courses are open to refugees in both camps and urban areas. They help students follow the Kurdish curriculum and support families to be more involved in their children’s learning.”
For Khalid, Ruda, and thousands of other refugee learners, every lesson in Kurdish is a step toward a future full of opportunity, inclusion, and hope.
Lilly Carlisle contributed reporting to this story.