Aconference is being held next week at Taiba University in Madina to discuss how to improve English language education at Saudi universities. The three-day conference begins on April 11 and is entitled “Preparatory Year English in Saudi Universities… Reality and Ambition”, and takes place with the patronage of Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Majed Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Madina. With 24 research papers from the Kingdom and abroad approved for discussion, the conference is described by organizers as a “significant and forward-looking event”. “The conference hopes to improve the quality of the educational services offered by the preparatory year English language program at Saudi universities,” said chief organizer Hashim Nour. “It will be looking to evaluate English language instruction in that program and consider the latest developments in instructional methodology, foreign and second language acquisition, and the use of technology in learning in the preparatory year.” The central themes of the event, according to Nour, concern English language teaching in Saudi universities and institutes, teaching English for academic and special purposes, electronic learning, curricula and testing and issues concerning Saudi teachers. “Eight of the research papers scheduled to be heard are from abroad, from the US, Britain, Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, with the other 16 from the Kingdom,” Nour said. “On the first day there will also be a symposium held in tandem with the event on the subject of learning English as a foreign language to discuss developments and a future vision for non-English speakers.”
