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

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.

Potential Changes in Saudi Students’ Motivations and Attitudes towards Learning English as a Foreign Language after Immersion in an L2 Learning Environment

This study traces potential changes in the motivation of Saudi students studying English as a second language (L2) in the UK. It investigates whether the beliefs and motivations of these students have changed during their learning experience, and identifies the pedagogical implications of such change for English teaching, not only to Saudi students in the UK but also to Saudi students enrolled in Saudi higher education institutions. It aims to identify the reasons behind changes in motivation as well as the impact these may have on students’ attitudes towards learning English as a foreign language (EFL). Data from questionnaires, interviews, and observations are used through three phases of the English academic programme. The study subjects are newly arrived Saudi students (three PhD students and 29 Master’s students) studying in four different universities in the UK under the fields of Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, and Translation. The conceptual framework is based on Dörnyei’s L2 Motivational Self System Theory and Dörnyei & Ushioda’s motivation and L2 self-framework. Changes in motivation are usually accompanied by changes in students’ classroom involvement, attitudes towards the target language, and positive or negative impacts on the students’ outcomes and language competencies. Similar to other types of learning, L2 learning cannot take place in a vacuum. The present study has various contributions to the field of SLA. First, it validates earlier studies about the issue of motivation in linguistics, attitudes towards language, and changes in one’s self-identity as an outcome of language development. Second, it serves as an addition to the body of knowledge pertaining to motivation and attitude of Saudi students towards English as L2 and the important role of culture in this process. Further, it serves as an important contribution to how Saudi students’ L2 acquisition is understood using Dörnyei's L2 Motivational Self System.

Attitudes of Saudi Non-English Major Students Towards Learning English

The present study aims at investigating the attitudes of Saudi non-English major students towards learning English at the University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia. In addition, the study attempts to identify how the students view the culture of English, English native speakers, and the importance of English in the present time. The data were collected from 80 Saudi non-English major students at the University of Bisha through a three-point Likert scale questionnaire with 13 closed-ended items. The data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively using SPSS. The results of this study show that the students have overall positive attitudes towards learning English. Apart from this, it was found that the students are aware of the importance of English in the present time. Interestingly, the students reflected positive attitudes towards the culture of English and English native speakers. Finally, some implications for teachers and recommendations for future research are presented.

Attitudes Towards Learning English Among The Aliya Madrasah Students in Bangladesh

Affective variables such as attitude, autonomy, motivation, self-esteem, and anxiety are crucial among the factors that contribute to learning a second/foreign language. Among them, one of the most important factors in inspiring learners to learn a language is their attitudes towards learning. The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive, emotional as well as behavioral attitudes of Bangladeshi Aliya madrasah students towards learning English. The study also explored the differences in their attitudes towards learning English based on demographic profiles, that is, their gender, their parents’ monthly family income, and their parents’ education level. Data were obtained via questionnaire surveys and they were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics, independent T-test, and one-way ANOVA. The results revealed that the participants demonstrated highly positive cognitive, emotional, and behavioral attitudes towards learning English. The analysis also showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the students’ attitudes towards learning English based on their parents’ monthly family income and their parents’ education level. However, the results presented no significant difference in the students’ attitudes towards learning English in relation to gender. This finding may help teachers to improve their classroom preparation by understanding their students’ attitudes better and making the learning activities easier for them. Moreover, it may inform the students’ attitudes to the authorities and policymakers responsible for devising policy for madrasah education, planning curriculum and designing materials for the madrasah students.

The Effect of Resource-Based Instructions on Pre-service Biology Teachers’ Attitudes towards Learning Biology

A positive attitude correlates to successful learning; while a negative attitude leads to poor learning. The present study aimed to compare the pre-service biology teachers’ attitudes towards learning biology and assessing their attitudinal change before and after being taught by resource-based instructions (RBI) in Rwanda. A survey-research design was used, in combination with a quasi-experimental control group, and the equivalent time-series designs. Pre-service biology teachers were taught at a public university in three separate groups, with one control group and two experimental groups. Each group received a pre-attitude and a post-attitude assessment. In contrast, at a private university, they were taught as a single group, in a series of instructions, starting with the lecture method, followed by animation-based instruction and small- group laboratory activities, in which at each stage, the pre-service biology teachers received the same assessment. The biology Attitudinal Scale showed a Cronbach alpha reliability of 0.625 before its use. The data were analyzed quantitatively; and the results revealed no statistically significant difference between the public and the private pre-service teachers’ attitudes before learning microbiology. After the teaching interventions, the results revealed that both the traditional and the resource-based instructions improved the pre-service biology teachers’ attitudes towards learning biology, as a result of their improved maturity and their anticipated future teaching career.

Attitudes of Afghan Civil Servants Towards Learning English: A Case Study of Afghanistan

The present study attempts to investigate the attitudes of Afghan civil servants towards learning English in their work environment. It also studies the effects of English for the quality of their work and the tasks they do in their offices. Moreover, the study aims to determine the respondents’ attitudes towards learning English by their gender, age, level of education, and the experience of using English at their work places. The data were collected from 508 Afghan civil servants who were working in different ministries through a questionnaire containing 20 items. For the data analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used. Descriptive statistics, sample T-test, and a one-way ANOVA test were conducted to answer the questions. The findings of the study yielded that Afghan civil servants have positive attitudes towards learning English. The study also revealed that the attitudes of Afghan civil servants towards learning English are positive by their gender, age, level of education, and their experience of using English at their work places. Furthermore, the study reports that there is no any statistically significant difference in the attitudes of Afghan civil servants by their gender, age, level of education, and experience of using English at their work places.