speaking English teachers is strong in the Kingdom. Osman Mamoor, a 33-year-old English teacher from New York at The Wall Street Institute School of English, said he has noticed certain differences as well as similarities between Saudi students and those studying English as a foreign language in the West. He said Saudi students tend to have a better level of communication due to the extremely rich literary history of the Arabic language. “Students in the West have a tendency to take language for granted due to the fact that they are in an English-speaking environment and are not under the same restraints. These students often learn colloquial English, which can conflict with the acquisition of the formal language. Their level of reading and writing is more advanced than those here in Saudi Arabia, but the application and practical use of formal grammar in daily communication is somewhat problematic. However, a rich language (Arabic) connecting a vast expanse of poetry and history puts Saudi students in an advantageous position. For this reason, Saudi students are much more proficient in their levels of verbal communication than other students,” he said. Mamoor, however, said Saudi students have more difficulties with reading comprehension as well as writing. “This is primarily a result of not having the opportunity to make practical use of the language and the stark differences in their mother language to that of the English. Saudi students are like learning receptacles and have a desire to gain knowledge,” he said. On a global scale, English has been emerging as the single most important tool of communication throughout the world. It has become the prominent language taught in every country and every society. It has a tremendous impact on everything from international trade, communication, politics and e-commerce. “Most career professionals have advanced their careers financially and globally with the language's acquisition. The government has recognized the importance of English in the field of global communication and has made it a mandatory part of the curriculum,” Mamoor said. He thinks the fact that private institutions like The Wall Street School of English are flourishing in Saudi Arabia is a sign of better things to come. “But there are challenges,” Mamoor said, “If English language instruction isn't implemented at an early age, it gets to be a little more difficult to grasp as students get older. The methods, which are most effective for Saudi students, have been primarily the communicative and visual approach. While it is important to concentrate on grammar, reading, listening, and writing, being able to have the students actually use what they learn in practical everyday situations through consistent conversation has proven very effective for students who are learning without the ease of living in an English-speaking environment.” Mamoor, who has a two-years teaching experience, including a year in the Kingdom, said that Saudi government and families of Saudi students are motivating the younger generation and that they have taken the task upon themselves to further second language learning. “This has resulted in many more local students successfully passing mandatory college entrance exams like TOEFL and IELTS,” he said. Mamoor has a word for teachers. “Teachers should discipline themselves and make efforts to develop lessons which captivate the minds and interests of Saudi students,” he said, adding that “the current reality is not without its challenges, and the future is not without hope.”
