Foreign language planning in Saudi Arabia: beyond English

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Payne ◽  
Maram Almansour
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Planning

scholarly journals Measuring Digital Competence and ICT Literacy: An Exploratory Study of In-Service English Language Teachers in the Context of Saudi Arabia

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdulteeef M. Al Khateeb
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ict Literacy ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
English Language Teachers

The purpose of this research is to measure in-service English language teachers' digital competence, particularly for the enhancement of teaching English as a second/foreign language in schools in Saudi Arabia. Information and communication technology (ICT) knowledge is currently considered as a vital skill for foreign language teachers in addition to their linguistic competence. Recently, there has been a focus on digital competence, since it can be regarded as a gateway for enriching knowledge, economies, societies and individuals. There is also a massive need for teachers to assess their own digital competence according to non-conventional norms (i.e., having the ability to share content and manage information). In light of this rationale, this paper investigates the following research question: to what extent are English language teachers in Saudi Arabia digitally competent and in what aspects? This study used a standardized questionnaire that was constructed using a validated comprehensive framework. This instrument was designed to assess the professional capability of English language teachers in terms of their willingness and readiness to use ICTs along with their current digital competence used throughout their teaching and educational practices. The research included a diverse range of participants who come from various backgrounds, genders and experiences. The study was concluded with a presentation of useful recommendations and key research questions for future research.

scholarly journals English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Teacher's Perceptions and Use of Mobile Devices and Applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-202
Author(s):  
Elias Bensalem
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Efl Teachers

This paper reports on a study of how a group of tertiary level EFL teachers perceived and used mobile devices in their teaching and personal learning. One hundred and fifty teachers (66 female, 84 male) from public universities in Saudi Arabia completed an online questionnaire. Results showed that the majority of participants used mobile devices and applications in their teaching and learning. Survey data showed that the vast majority of teachers had positively perceived and frequently used mobile technologies in their teaching and personal learning. In addition, there was a correlation between teachers’ use of mobile technologies in their teaching and their use in learning. There was also a correlation between how teachers perceived the value of mobile technologies in learning, and how they use them in their teaching.

scholarly journals AL-AKHTHA’ FII IKTISAB AL-TSUNAIYAT AL-SHUGHRA

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miftahul Huda
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Error Analysis ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Minimal Pair ◽  
Minimal Pairs ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Child Age

Language acquisition starts from the ability of listening basic letter(iktisab al-ashwat) since child age. The letter of a language is limited in number, and sometimes there is similarity of letters among languages. The similarity of letters in two languages make it easy to learn the language. On the contrary, the obstacle of language learning can be caused by different letters between two languages (mother tongue and second/foreign language). The problem may be caused by minimal pairs (tsunaiyat al-shughro). This research aims at finding out the error of minimal pair acquisition, with the subject of Indonesian students in Jami’ah Malik Saud Saudi Arabia, with the method of error analysis. The study concludes that in iktisab al-ashwat of minimal pairs, the error is around 3,3 %-58,3%. Second: the error on minimal pairs occurs on the letters shift ?? ?? ? to be ? , letter ? to be ? , letter ? to be ? , letter ? to be ? , letter ? to be ?? , and letter ? to be ?.

scholarly journals Using the SCAMPER Model to DevelopTranslation Skills for Major Students in the Faculty of Education, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
AWEJ-tls for Translation & Literary Studies ◽  
Fatma Farid Fakhry Tharwa
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Translation ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
School Year ◽  
Delayed Translation ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Faculty Of Education ◽  
Experimental Group

This paper aims at identifying the effectiveness of using the SCAMPER model in developing translation and raising the attitudes towards adaptation among major students in the faculty of education, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. It tries to answer the following questions: To what extent would using the SCAMPER model raise translation skills among major students in the faculty of education – Majmaah University .the the second question is To what extent would using SCAMPER model raise the attitudes towards translation among major students.To accomplish the purpose of the study, the researcher showed the experimental group with a sample involved (40) students for the SCAMPER Model in the first term of the school year 2018-2019. The researcher used (pre -post & delayed) translation test, a scale of students' attitudes towards translation to collect data. The study's results suggested that there were statistically important differences at (α ≤ 0.05) in the whole mean grade in the pre post translation test to the group in favor of posttest. Also, there were statistically important differences at (α ≤ 0.05) in the whole mean grade in the pre-post scale of students attitudes towards translation to the group in favor of post implication. Also, the researcher recognized these differences in using the SCAMPER Model in teaching English language translation. In light of these outcomes, the study suggested the necessity of applying the SCAMPER Model in teaching the English language to get better results in students’ translation learning and retention in English as a foreign language. Similarly, the SCAMPER Model would be used with other English skills and sub-skills.

scholarly journals Foreign Language Planning: The Case of a Teacher/Translator Training Programme at a Mexican University

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virna Velázquez ◽  
Edgar Emmanuell García-Ponce
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Language Planning ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Language Achievement ◽  
Translator Training

The present article reports on a study that set out to investigate the effectiveness of strategies and decisions formulated in foreign language planning to ensure learners’ language achievement in a higher education context which trains learners to become English or French teachers or translators. By drawing on data collected from simulated proficiency tests and interviews with students, teachers, and administrators, the findings show that the foreign language goals have not been met as stipulated in the curriculum, and that there are several shortcomings in the foreign language planning that need the educational community’s consideration. This article also discusses some factors that should be considered in foreign language planning in order to meet language goals in educational contexts.

scholarly journals Exploring the Unknown: The Autonomy of Saudi EFL Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fakieh Alrabai
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
T Test ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Standardized Achievement Tests

This study addresses a new area of research in Saudi Arabia. Using a sample of 630 Saudi students, it investigates learners’ level of autonomy and its relationship to academic achievement in English as a foreign language (EFL). Learners’ level of autonomy was measured by a survey, whereas their achievement was evaluated using standardized achievement tests. The data were analyzed using descriptive analyses and a t-test. The findings revealed that learners were non-autonomous, with a mean autonomy score of 2.35 out of 5; and also low language achievers (M = 66 out of 100). Gender had a significant effect on autonomy and achievement. These findings emphasize the vast lack of awareness of the vital role of learner autonomy in the Saudi EFL setting. The study suggests that Saudi learners and teachers alike require increased awareness of the importance of the concept of autonomy and that practical means to promote Saudi EFL learner autonomy should be sought and practiced.

scholarly journals IPad Acceptance by English Learners in Saudi Arabia

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Barry A. M. Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Second Language Instruction ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Behavioral Intention To Use ◽  
Educational Potential

<p>This study used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT; Venkatesh, Morris, Davis, &amp; Davis, 2003) model to investigate factors predicting the acceptance of iPad tablets by learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) at a technical vocational college in Saudi Arabia. An online survey was conducted on 199 male learners, and a simultaneous multiple regression analysis was conducted on the data. The results indicated that a belief in the device’s educational potential, a sense that it was straightforward to use, and the perception that the infrastructure would support usage were all significant predictors of the behavioral intention to use iPads. Social factors did not indicate an acceptance of the device. The findings highlighted areas of importance for educators intending to adopt mobile devices in second language instruction and partially supported the application of the UTAUT.</p>

Informal language planning for elementary school language development

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 6-18
Author(s):  
Carol J. Rodriquez
Keyword(s):  
Public Education ◽  
School Districts ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Planning ◽  
Independent Research ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Language Programs ◽  
Public Meetings ◽  
Individual School

Language planning is an activity that takes place in formal/national situations, but it also occurs in a variety of unintended ways and on smaller scales (e.g. Russo and Baldauf 1986). This paper documents the informal language planning which has occurred as part of the process of developing and implementing Arizona’s Elementary Foreign Language Mandate. It is a case study which demonstrates the problems and effects of informal language planning in public education systems such as Arizona’s. The study focuses on the initial specifications of the mandate and the efforts of individual school districts to comply in a timely manner. The difficulties encountered by one school district as it considers ways to implement the mandate are examined in detail. The data for this study was gathered from official documents, personal interviews, videotapes, newspaper articles, public meetings and independent research related to language policy in the state of Arizona. The study suggests that a greater awareness of language planning skills at this level could lead to the development of more effective language programs.

Thirty years of French language planning in Malaysia: From individual attempt to national strength

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (244) ◽  
Author(s):  
Regis Machart ◽  
Sep Neo Lim
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Planning ◽  
Boarding Schools ◽  
French Language ◽  
Day Schools ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Internationalisation Of Higher Education

AbstractFrench language teaching (FLT) started in Malaysian boarding schools in the 1970s due to the initiative of a few Malaysian teachers who had acquired some knowledge during colonial times. It was formally implemented by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) in 1984 and in the 2000s, FLT developed greatly in parallel with the internationalisation of higher education. The country had no former expertise in teaching French on a larger scale and future teachers had to be sent abroad to be trained in French. Thirty years later, this language has not only become part of the linguistic scenery in Malaysian boarding schools, as the MOE has also extended the teaching of French to normal day schools. This article will review the language planning regarding French language teaching in Malaysia as an example of foreign language planning in the country, and will focus on its implementation in the Malaysian secondary schools from the 1970s to 2014. Issues of teaching hours and textbooks will not be dealt with, as these matters are left to the circumspection of the respective schools.

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