Anastasia J. Khawaja (Dr.)
Arab American University
Palestine
Dr. Anastasia Khawaja is an assistant professor of English, teacher trainer, and curriculum developer living in Ramallah, Palestine. She is the chair elect of the Justice and Equity Professional Council for TESOL International. Her research focuses on implementingJustice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) framework alongside intersectional practices in educational contexts, with a particular focus on addressing systemic barriers and fostering inclusivity particularly in Palestine.
Teaching Medical English in Areas of Conflict: Strategies for Inclusion and Impact
26/07/2025 06:00 UTC
This presentation discusses the development of a Medical English curriculum in Ramallah, Palestine that is centered on justice, inclusivity, and well-being moves students from community health campaigns to student-led research on local issues. Grounded in critical pedagogy and applied linguistics (Gay, 2018; Paris & Alim, 2017; Canagarajah, 2013; Benesch, 2017), this approach fosters critical thinking, public engagement, and positions language as a tool for empowerment and social change.
Key takeaways:
Build inclusive curricula
Connect language, identity & research
Adapt approaches for conflict-affected contexts
Co-presenter: Amanda Khalaf