scholarly journals The effectiveness of corpora on Saudi EFL academic writing performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-345
Author(s):  
Assrar Alharbi ◽  
◽  
Turki Alsolami ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Writing Instruction ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Classroom Intervention ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Preparatory Year

This study reports on quantitative research that investigated the effects of the Corpus-Based Approach (CBA) as a pedagogical approach to Academic Writing Instruction in the context of Saudi Arabia. A total of fifteen female preparatory year students at an intermediate language proficiency level at King Abdulaziz University participated in the study. The study aimed at investigating the effect of applying corpora on learners’ lexico-grammatical abilities following a pretest-posttest design. Classroom intervention has been conducted and data were collected from written tasks over a period of time. The findings of the study demonstrated that the improvement of lexico-grammatical abilities among students is observed.

scholarly journals Saudi EFL learners’ Perceptions of The Use of Corpora in Academic Writing Teaching

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. p94
Author(s):  
Turki Alsolami ◽  
Assrar Alharbi
Keyword(s):  
Writing Instruction ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Language Awareness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Preparatory Year

The study explores Saudi EFL learners’ perceptions of the effect of applying corpus-based approach as a pedagogical approach on academic writing instruction. The purpose of the study is to evaluate students’ perspectives towards using corpus-based activities on their academic writing learning, more precisely, their lexico-grammatical abilities. In the study, seven female preparatory year students at an intermediate language proficiency level participated. Learners were asked to compose written tasks during three weeks using corpus tools. To explore learners’ attitudes, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results of the interviews suggest that learners have positive attitudes towards the corpus-based approach to their academic writing performance. Based on the results of the interviews, four themes were found to be recurrent in learners’ responses, which are: Increasing Learners’ Confidence as EFL Writers, Fostering learners’ Language Awareness, Providing Availability of Input, and Promoting Learners’ Autonomy.

scholarly journals Efficacy ESP in EFL Context: A Case Study of Saudi Arabia of

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Mohammad Nazim ◽  
Zoheb Hazarika
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Preparatory Year ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Professional Disciplines

The essence of English for Specific Purpose (ESP) is to provide a strong foundation of English required for specific professional disciplines, and the Preparatory Year Programme (PYP) in Saudi universities are designed to achieve the desired proficiency level required for various professional disciplines. The present study aims to delineate the efficacy of ESP vis-à-vis the PYP with special reference to Najran University. It intends to investigate whether PYP students’ English proficiency conforms to ESP standards by analysing teachers’ feedback and expert opinions. The research design makes methodological triangulation using both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire) methods. Forty teachers of PYP, teaching various courses of English, Najran University were randomly selected to elicit their feedback and opinion on various aspects of students’ linguistic proficiency vis-à-vis ESP standards. The questionnaire consisted of eleven questions using Likert’s 5 scales (Strongly Agree, Agree, Can’t Say, Disagree, Strongly Disagree). Semi-structured interviews were also used to acquire detailed perceptions of the teachers. Ten teachers were interviewed with four questions pertaining to the relevant research area. Based on the data analysis, it is observed that most of the students at PYP have language proficiency to learn ESP, but not up to the desired level. There is a need to enhance learners’ proficiency level required for various professional disciplines. In the end, this study offers some remedial measures and suggestions aiming not only to raise the compatibility of ESP in the context of PYP in Saudi Arabia, but also to inject more ESP-oriented materials in the curriculum.

Exploring the Application of Flipped Classrooms on EFL Saudi Students' Speaking Skill

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manal Al-Ghamdi ◽  
Abdullah Al-Bargi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
English Language ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Speaking Skill ◽  
Preparatory Year

This qunatitatively based research utilising quasi experimental design, sought to explore the effect of implementing the flipped classroom (FC) pedagogical approach on female, preparatory year program (PYP) English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students at the English Language Institute (ELI), King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Saudi Arabia. An experimental group as well as a control group were assigned in this study. The data collection was carried out using multiple sources, including pre- and post-speaking achievement tests in addition to two custom designed questionnaires. The results revealed that the FC did not sufficiently enhance the experimental group’s speaking skill to cause a statistical significance in comparison to the controlled group. On the other hand, students held a positive attitude toward the FC experiment and the used instructional videos. The study also aims to enlighten and familiarise EFL colleagues within the context of Saudi Arabia, as well EFL colleagues from around the world, with this pedagogical approach in the area of EFL education. Conclusions and recommendations for future research studies are presented at the end of this paper.

scholarly journals Scope of Cooperative Learning (CL) Strategies in Teaching English to Saudi Adult EFL Learners: A Study of Practical Barriers and Possible Implications

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ishtiaq ◽  
Muhammad Sabboor Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Educational Administration ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Efl Teachers

This study aims at investigating the teachers’ practices and perceptions in teaching English in Saudi Arabia by viewing their stance on Cooperative Learning (CL) — an innovative teaching approach proposed to raise the language proficiency level of adult EFL learners. The study has been conducted in Qassim University, Saudi Arabia—a vibrant and flourishing EFL context. A quantitative tool (a questionnaire) has been used to collect data and to serve qualitative purposes. It reports 80 EFL teachers’ (40 males and 40 females) perceptions about CL using a 17-items comprehensive survey covering all the possible barriers in the way of implementing CL strategies in EFL classes. The survey items also explore how the EFL teachers in Saudi Arabia foresee the implications of making such an innovative move in their classes. The responses have been analyzed on a 5-point Likert scale which ranges from strongly disagree-disagree-neutral-agree-strongly agree. Major findings are that CL strategies have practical barriers but their implications are far more positive. The barriers are mainly due to the wrong learning habits of the adult EFL learners in Qassim University and lack of will and vision of the educational administration. The study recommends that CL strategies need to be given due consideration and support by the administrators and policy makers to raise the proficiency level of adult EFL learners. The study also allays the misconception that majority of the practitioners in English language teaching field are not ready to practice and implement CL strategies in their classes.

scholarly journals EFL Teachers’ Attitudes toward Commercial Textbooks in EFL Programs

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munassir Alhamami ◽  
Javed Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
English Textbooks ◽  
Teachers Attitudes

The perception of the English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is extremely crucial since their perceived views regarding the commercial English learning textbooks plays a major role in framing their attitudes towards such textbooks. These textbooks are published by different international publishers and used extensively in EFL programs around the globe. Moreover, attitudes do influence language learning. This paper aims to investigate teachers’ attitudes toward the commercial textbooks used in (EFL) programs. In this quantitative research, forty-three EFL instructors were surveyed through a Likert scale questionnaire. The results reveal, in general, the negative attitudes of the teacher towards commercial English textbooks since for them such textbooks are found insufficient in meeting the courses’ aims and objectives, students language proficiency level, their cultural sensitiveness, and their academic backgrounds. The study found teachers opinion vis-à-vis textbooks inappropriate content, a mismatch in learners’ needs and not in agreement with teaching methodologies. The paper offers a few recommendations to the EFL instructors as well as to the instructional designers to adapt and customize commercial textbooks in line with learners’ needs. It suggests teachers to use teaching material to suit the purpose, in addition to advising curriculum designers and content developers to take into account the specific needs of the students and the objectives of the course.

scholarly journals The Effect of Electronic Flashcards on EFL Students' Vocabulary Learning: The Case of Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-125
Author(s):  
Asma A. Alghamdi ◽  
Tariq Elyas
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Preparatory Year ◽  
Experimental Group

This study aimed to investigate the effect of electronic flashcards on EFL vocabulary learning of preparatory-year female students at a  Saudi Arabia. It was conducted following the quantitative research methodology with a quasi-experimental design. Two groups were assigned: an experimental group who used electronic flashcards, and a control group who employed the traditional method of vocabulary learning. A pre-test and a post-test were administered in order to appraise their performance before and after the experiment. The results revealed that the post-test scores of students in the experimental group were significantly higher than their pre-test. Also, the results showed that electronic flashcards promoted students' vocabulary, causing a statistical significance in comparison to the control group. Based on these findings, this study was able to draw a number of implications and recommendations

scholarly journals English language proficiency and academic performance: A study of a medical preparatory year program in Saudi Arabia

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feroze Kaliyadan ◽  
Nazer Thalamkandathil ◽  
SrinivasRao Parupalli ◽  
TarekTawfik Amin ◽  
MagdyHassan Balaha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Preparatory Year

scholarly journals Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes Towards Learning English in Rural University Branches in KSA: A Case Study of Al-Kamil's Branch

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Hamda A. Laouini ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Preparatory Year ◽  
The University ◽  
Learning English ◽  
Attitudes Towards Learning

The present study was conducted to assess and investigate the attitudes of the Preparatory Year students towards leaning English at rural branch of the University of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The author endeavours to examine and measure the University students’ opinions and perceptions regarding the importance of Learning English. He also attempts to explore the areas of difficulties in foreign language Learning within the rural context of AlKamil College of Sciences and Arts (Makkah, Saudi Arabia). 75 randomly selected students (40 male and 35 female) participated in this study project. In this study, the researcher opted for a mixed research method. For quantitative data collection a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was adapted from Gardner’s ‘Attitude Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) along with a silent interview for a qualitative data collection in order to assess the participants’ attitudes and perceptions regarding learning English. Overall, the results reveal that students in rural university branches in Saudi Arabia hold positive attitudes towards learning English and they are constantly attempting to improve their language proficiency. This study also explores the different obstacles impeding the students’ sought progress in language learning along with the possible solutions that may enable them to use and practise English in a more spontaneous way.

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