About Maria Saleem
Maria Saleem is an Urdu language educator, curriculum designer, author and teacher trainer with over 14 years of professional teaching experience at Roots Ivy International School System, Faisalabad. She has taught IGCSE, Edexcel, O Level and A Level Urdu to hundreds of students in Pakistan and around the world, both in classrooms and through online teaching.
Her mission is to make Urdu teaching modern, accessible, structured and examination-focused, enabling students to achieve academic excellence while developing a genuine appreciation for the language.
Many schools in Pakistan and abroad use her books to develop and strengthen their Urdu curricula. She also regularly conducts teacher training programmes, student workshops and assessment-based skills sessions.
Maria Saleem was honoured to be nominated for the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2026, a global recognition celebrating teachers who have made a meaningful difference in their students' lives.
Academic Qualifications & Professional Achievements
Maria Saleem combines strong academic credentials with extensive teaching experience and continuous professional development. Her academic qualifications and professional achievements reflect her commitment to Urdu education, educational innovation and lifelong learning.
Her qualifications and achievements include:
- MPhil Urdu (Silver Medalist) – Riphah International University. Her research thesis explored the poetic symbolism of Akbar Allahabadi: اکبر الہٰ آبادی کی شعری علامتیں: تحقیقی و تنقیدی مطالعہ.
- M.Ed (Education) – Allama Iqbal Open University.
- MA Urdu (Second Position) – Government College University Faisalabad.
- Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2026 – Nominee.
- Google Gemini Certified Educator – AI in Education, Google for Education.
- Google AI Essentials – Five-course certificate by Google (Coursera, 2025).
- AI and Digital Transformation in Government – Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, with UNESCO (2025).
- CPD-accredited Training – Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding, Intervention and Inclusive Practices, Eilya Care Foundation.
- Cambridge Professional Development Certificates – Urdu as a Second Language (0539).
- OxfordAQA GCSE Urdu Training (9264) and Oxford University Press International Webinars.
Teaching Philosophy
Maria Saleem believes that effective Urdu education requires a balance of language proficiency, examination skills and cultural understanding.
Her teaching approach combines structured learning, practical application, assessment-based practice and modern educational technology. She focuses on simplifying complex language concepts and helping students develop confidence in reading, writing, listening and comprehension.
By integrating traditional language learning with innovative teaching strategies, she aims to make Urdu education more engaging, accessible and relevant to the needs of modern learners.
Her approach emphasises individual learning needs, conceptual clarity, consistent practice and examination readiness.
Maria Saleem’s Published Books
Maria Saleem's books are designed according to the latest international syllabuses and published by Aina Saroash Publishers. Her publications provide structured learning materials, examination guidance and extensive practice opportunities for students following international Urdu qualifications.
Her publications include:
- Cambridge International A Level Urdu (9866, 2027–2029 syllabus): Zabaan (Papers 1 & 2), Adab (Paper 3 guide) and Matn (Paper 3 set texts).
- Cambridge O Level Urdu as a Second Language (3248): Course book and Exclusive Atopical Paper Practice.
- Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language (0539): Course book and Exclusive Atopical Paper Practice.
- Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Urdu (1UR0): Higher Tier Practice Papers and Topical Practice.
- Edexcel A Level Urdu (9UR0): All three examination papers covered in one book.
- LRN International A Level Urdu (2114): A comprehensive guide covering both examination papers.
- Academic Vocabulary in Use: A bilingual Urdu–English vocabulary and grammar book.
- Children's Storybooks: کہانیوں کا جہاں (Kahaniyon ka Jahan) and سنہرے خوابوں کا نگر (Sunehre Khwabon ka Nagar).
Her books are developed with particular attention to syllabus requirements, examination formats and the specific learning needs of students. Many publications also include QR codes linking directly to video explanations and solutions, providing additional support for independent learning.
Aina Saroash Publishers
Maria Saleem is the founder and director of Aina Saroash Publishers, based in Faisalabad. She oversees curriculum development, editing, graphic design and educational video production.
Under her leadership, every publication is developed in-house with careful attention to syllabus requirements, examination standards and the exact format of international examinations.
Aina Saroash Publishers aims to provide students, teachers and educational institutions with reliable, comprehensive and examination-focused Urdu learning resources.
Through its publications and educational initiatives, the publishing house contributes to the development and promotion of quality Urdu learning materials for international qualifications.
Digital Learning – Urdu with Maria Saleem
Through her YouTube channel, Urdu with Maria Saleem, Maria provides structured learning support for students preparing for international Urdu examinations.
The channel offers educational resources covering:
- Listening examination preparation.
- Reading comprehension.
- Writing skills and composition.
- Urdu grammar and vocabulary.
- Past-paper practice and examination techniques.
- Video explanations and solutions.
Many of her published books also include QR codes that provide direct access to relevant video explanations and solutions.
By combining printed learning materials with digital resources, Maria aims to make Urdu learning more accessible, interactive and effective for students worldwide.
Academic & Educational Services
Maria Saleem offers a range of educational services designed to support students, teachers and educational institutions in achieving their academic and professional goals.
Curriculum Design
Development of structured curricula and learning materials aligned with international Urdu syllabuses and examination requirements.
Teacher Training
Professional development programmes, academic workshops and practical training sessions for Urdu teachers.
Assessment Development
Designing examination-focused assessments, practice materials and evaluation resources to strengthen students' academic performance.
Online Urdu Classes
Structured online learning opportunities for students in Pakistan and around the world preparing for international Urdu qualifications.
Educational Video Production
Development of digital learning resources, instructional videos and examination-support materials to enhance teaching and independent learning.
Educational Impact
Through her teaching, publications and professional development initiatives, Maria Saleem has supported students, teachers and educational institutions in Pakistan and internationally.
Her books are used by schools to support international Urdu curricula, while her digital learning resources provide students with additional opportunities for independent study and examination preparation.
Her teacher training programmes and academic workshops also contribute to the professional development of Urdu educators, helping them adopt structured, effective and contemporary teaching practices.
By connecting classroom teaching, curriculum development, educational publishing and digital learning, Maria continues to contribute to the advancement of Urdu language education.
Maria Saleem’s Vision & Mission
Maria Saleem is passionate about modernising Urdu education through innovative teaching approaches, educational technology and high-quality learning resources.
Her vision is to make Urdu teaching more structured, engaging and accessible while helping students develop strong language skills, confidence and examination expertise.
Through her teaching, publications, teacher training programmes, digital learning platforms, she aims to:
- Empower students to achieve excellence in international Urdu qualifications.
- Support teachers through professional training and high-quality educational resources.
- Promote modern and effective approaches to Urdu language teaching.
- Integrate educational technology into language learning.
- Contribute to the wider promotion and development of Urdu education in Pakistan and internationally.
She believes that Urdu deserves the same academic attention, modern teaching practices and quality learning resources as other internationally taught languages.
Her ultimate goal is to make Urdu learning a meaningful, enjoyable and rewarding experience for students everywhere.
Work with Maria Saleem
For book orders, school bulk orders, teacher trainings or workshops, get in touch.