Job Discussion Forums

[Halloweenother]

Does anyone know if there is any government policy or regulations in terms of using or teaching the English language in Saudi Arabia?

I have done an extensive search on the internet and unfortunetly with very little luck I only found the US-Saudi government funded scholarshop programme. I need something like "in 20xx, Saudi Arabia's government has decided to make Engish a compulsory subject in primary/high school" or "in 19xx, English has become the offical 2nd language in Saudi Arabia"

Could anyone, if you know where I can find the related info, please tell me the source. THANKS A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johnslat]

I think this lady knows whereof she speaks.

English teaching in Saudi Arabia

Public Schools: from 7th grade and up, and not reliable at all.
Private schools: start from 1st grade.

Universities: not all of them teach in English. For example, KFUPM (King Fahad University of Petrolium and Minerals) teaches all tech classes in English. The only classes in Arabic are religion/Arabic. King Saud University in Riyadh teaches mostly in Arabic.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

I. Primary School

Duration: Six years (ages 6 to 12)

Curriculum: Arabic, art education, geography, history, home economics (for girls), mathematics, physical education (for boys), Islamic studies and science

Leaving Certificate: Shahadat Al Madaaris Al Ibtidaa'iyyah (General Elementary School Certificate)

II. Intermediate School

Duration: Three years (ages 12 to 15)

General Curriculum: Arabic, art education, English, geography, history, home economics (for girls), mathematics, physical education (for boys), religious studies and science

Leaving Certificate: Shahadat Al-Kafa'at Al-Mutawassita (Intermediate School Certificate)

SECONDARY EDUCATION

I. General Secondary School

Duration: Three years (ages fifteen to eighteen)

Compulsory Subjects: During the first year, students share a common curriculum, and in the final two years are divided into scientific and literary streams. Students scoring 60 percent in all first-year subjects may choose between the two streams. Those who score under 60 percent must opt for the literary stream.

General Curriculum: Arabic, biology, chemistry, English, geography, history, home economics (for girls), mathematics, physical education (for boys) and religious studies

Leaving Certificate: Shahadat Al-Marhalat Al-Thanawiyyat (General Secondary Education Certificate), awarded to students who successfully pass the Tawjihi (General Secondary Examination)

II. Religious Secondary School

Duration: Three years (ages fifteen to eighteen)

Curriculum: Arabic language and literature, English, general culture, geography, history and religious studies

Leaving Certificate: Shahadat Al Thanawiyyah Al 'Aama lil Ma'aahid Al Ilmiyya (Religious Institute Secondary Education Certificate). Graduates are admitted to university in the humanities and social sciences only.

III. Technical Secondary School

There are three types of technical education offered at the secondary level: vocational/technical, commercial and agricultural. Admission to a technical school requires the Shahadat Al-Kafa'at Al-Mutawassita (Intermediate School Certificate).

All technical and vocational training comes under the authority of the General Organization for Technical Education.

Duration: Three years (ages fifteen to eighteen)

Curriculum:
Vocational/Technical: architectural drawing, auto mechanics, electricity, machine mechanics, metal mechanics, radio and television. In addition to technical subjects, students take Arabic, chemistry, English, mathematics, physical education, physics and religious studies

Commercial: Arabic, bookkeeping and accounting, commercial correspondence, economics, English, financial mathematics, general mathematics, geography, management and secretarial and religious studies.

Agriculture (partial listing): agricultural economics, agronomy, animal husbandry, applied biology, applied chemistry, applied mathematics, applied physics, Arabic, English, farm management, horticulture, religious studies, marketing and plant nutrition

Leaving Certificates:

Technical: Diplom Al Madaaris Al Thanawiyyah Al Mihaniyyah (Secondary Vocational School Diploma)

Commercial: Diplom Al Madaaris Al Tijaariyyah (Secondary Commercial School Diploma)

Agriculture: Diplom Al Madaaris Al Ziraa'iyyah (Secondary Agricultural School Diploma)

III. Further Technical and Vocational Training

Programs ranging between one and one-half-years are offered at vocational training centers. Admission to these programs requires five to six years of primary education.

Leaving Certificate: Vocational Training Certificate


http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080328213822AAPSLFa&show=7

"Saudi Arabia is attempting to reform its educational system in general as well as its approach to teaching English in public schools. One key change was the decision to begin English instruction earlier in public schools. In addition public schools are to update their methods for teaching English. They have begun to emulate private schools' successful methods of English tuition: private schools have traditionally had creative writing contests, spelling bees, public speaking and dramatic presentations. The country is also attempting to improve the training of Saudis who teach English to children in the public schools. Many of those public-sector teachers have sought to leave the profession because of low wages and what they perceive as a lack of respect in Saudi society. Some of them have also complained of the lack of aids such as audio-visual materials and language laboratories. Improving English tuition is just one part of general educational reform."

http://www.onestopenglish.com/section.asp?theme=mag&catid=58256&docid=145877

The writer of the second entry left the Kingdom in June, 2004

"In August 2002, the Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the U.S.Embassy and the British Council,organized an English language
program to train about 600 teachers of English.Currently,public schools teach English beginning in the7th grade,but there is discussion about introducing teaching of the English language starting in the 4th grade."

http://www.saudiembassy.net/ReportLink/Update_final.pdf

Hope that helps a little.

Regards,
John

[Halloweenother]

Thanks for your thorough reply, I think I have come across this info somewhere on the internet before, but thanks all the same

I was wondering what 7th grade and 1st grade are equivalent to, since here in New Zealand, we have 6 years of primary education (year 1-6), then 2 years in junior high (year 7-8 = form 1 &2 ) and 6 years of high school education (year 9-13 = form 3 - 7).

[007]

[trapezius]

[veiledsentiments]

I'd agree that what we have is 12 years and they can be broken up in any way an educational system likes. Many places have adopted the term "middle school" for grades 7-9 and then Secondary or High School for 10-12. Various international schools have adopted various breakdowns.

I'd say to ignore labels and just think in terms of years when trying to compare to what you are used to in your home country. Of course, there will likely be a variance... give or take a year... and the question could likely only be definitively answered for you by someone who has taught in both the NZ and KSA systems.

VS

[Mia Xanthi]