More than ever before, individuals, institutions, organizations and countries perceive English as an essential ingredient for growth and advancement. The basis for this assertion is that English is the prevailing language the world over. It is the language that people resort to in the arenas of business, formal and informal meetings, tourism, academia, international conferences, and social and cultural affairs. It is the language of science, technology, communication and enterprise around the globe and is assuming the role of global lingua franca.
Many countries undertake the development of a strategic plan in which teaching English is an indispensable component. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, founded in 1932, is no exception. The introduction of English is more noticeable in Saudi Arabia than elsewhere due to the sustained rapid advancement and modernization that it has gone through in the past and continues to experience.
Saudi Arabia has entered the economic, educational and political theaters of the world. As a result, while absorbing what the world at large has to offer, successful enterprise needs the Saudi people to be equipped with the means to convey Saudi Arabia’s vision and needs to the outside world. This task entails profound command of the international language, English.
In its broader context in Saudi Arabia, English performs an instrumental function in public and private educational institutions in that it is used as a medium of learning at various stages in the educational system of Saudi Arabia. English also is considered as a foreign language — with the exception of medical and science and some technical and engineering colleges. In these particular contexts, English is used as the sole medium of communication among members.
Currently English plays an important role in Saudi Arabia on a large scale as well on a personal level. Thus one could safely argue that it enjoys a high status in the country. The government views English as a vital facet of the process in the development of the country.
English is the only foreign language taught in Saudi public schools. It is also taught in private schools, universities and a variety of industrial and government institutions. In the intermediate and secondary grades and in all grades in private schools, English is taught as a core subject. English is taught at all Saudi universities as either an elective subject or as a major field of study. Even students who are not English majors are required to take an introductory English course.
English is used as a medium of instruction in most university departments of science, medicine, engineering and other technical subjects. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) uses English exclusively as the medium of instruction. A number of technical and vocational institutes as well as military academies include English as a subject in their curriculums. The same is true in various public and private organizations, which often have training centers that teach English to their employees.
Employers in areas of the private sector — such as industry, hospitals and hotels — expect applicants to possess a certain level of proficiency in English. Advertisements for job openings stress the employers’ preferences for potential employees who can speak English.
Another vehicle for the presence of English in Saudi Arabia is the mass media, including broadcasting and print media. One of the two national Saudi TV stations, Channel 2, is an English language channel. Programming consists of a balanced blend of cultural programs, entertainment and music, non-Arabic films and serials, children’s programs, and news and current affairs programs. The European language radio station, with programming predominantly in English and to a lesser extent in French, transmits 24 hours a day. There are two English language daily newspapers, Arab News and The Saudi Gazette.
The Saudi people also acknowledge the fact that it is important to acquire English to be part of the 21st century and to function well in contemporary society. It has become highly desirable to learn English in contemporary Saudi Arabia.
In general, Saudis show considerable interest in English. They acknowledge that possession of at least a basic command of English is important to the success of any endeavor they may be involved in, whether educational, business, political, or leisure pursuits such as traveling for pleasure. Consequently, it is safe to conclude that English is in demand Kingdomwide and is expected to be used in an increasing number of domains.
(Dr. Khalid Al-Seghayer is a Saudi academic. He is based in Riyadh.)
