Kazhal Yaqubi (born 1994, #Marivan# , Kurdistan Province, Iran) is a language instructor, researcher, and socio-cultural activist known for her pioneering efforts in teaching the #Hawrami# (Gorani) language and promoting its preservation. She is recognized as the first woman to systematically teach Hawrami to non-native speakers, particularly English speakers, using academically rigorous and standardized methods. She is also a co-founder of some of the earliest digital media platforms dedicated to Hawrami language education.
Early Life and Background
Kazhal Yaqubi was born in Marivan in 1994. Her family originates from the historic village of Bisaran in the Zhavarud region, a culturally significant part of Hawraman. Although her family resided in Sanandaj, she maintained strong linguistic, emotional, and cultural ties to Hawraman throughout her life. Her mother tongue is Hawrami, but she grew up in a predominantly Sorani-speaking environment, which fostered her interest in linguistics, education, and translation.
Education and Teaching Career
After completing secondary education at an exemplary high school in Marivan, Yaqubi enrolled in an English Translation program. Concurrently, she began teaching at language institutes. Through her creative and community-centered approach, she quickly established herself as a respected language instructor. She managed several language institutions independently, developed educational content, and conducted preparatory courses for international language proficiency exams.
Collaboration with Hadi Rahmani
Her marriage to Hadi Rahmani, a prominent Hawraman linguist and researcher, marked a significant turning point in her career. Together, they have collaboratively designed and implemented numerous educational and cultural projects aimed at the revitalization of the Hawrami language and the empowerment of the Hawraman community.
Projects and Contributions
Kazhal Yaqubi has played a pivotal role in producing multimedia educational content and delivering both in-person and online instruction, helping Hawrami-speaking children and youth in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Iran to learn and preserve their mother tongue. Key projects include:
• Hawrami with HK: The first structured, multimedia Hawrami course designed specifically for English speakers.
• HK English Lab: An English language education platform for Hawrami speakers.
• English language training for women applying for spouse visas in the UK.
• Establishing the first virtual educational media platform for Hawraman, offering video, audio, and booklet resources.
• Teaching English without an intermediary language to Hawrami speakers.
• Language instruction aimed at the children of Hawrami immigrants in the UK to preserve their linguistic identity across generations.
• Oral and video archiving of various Hawrami dialects for linguistic research and preservation.
• Conducting teacher training courses for female students in the Hawraman region.
Empowerment of Hawrami Women
Kazhal has developed specialized courses enabling Hawrami women to learn English, take language proficiency exams, and achieve linguistic independence during immigration processes without leaving their homes. She also organizes motivational workshops for women in Marivan and other parts of Hawraman, serving as a role model for empowered women educators.
Media Presence and Cultural Heritage
Her active presence on social media, especially Instagram, has significantly contributed to promoting the Hawrami language, culture, and music. She communicates in a style that is both accessible and academically informed to demonstrate that Hawrami is a living, dynamic language.
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References
1. Hawrami with HK – Official Instagram
2. HK English Lab – Official Instagram
3. Rahmani, Hadi & Yaqubi, Kazhal. Multimedia Hawrami-English Language Course Materials. (Various online platforms)
4. Interviews and Educational Videos Featuring Kazhal Yaqubi and Hadi Rahmani (YouTube and other media outlets)
5.Local News Coverage on Cultural and Linguistic Initiatives in Hawraman Region (Persian and Kurdish media sources)[1]