Search

Students at the tertiary level must be placed in an interactive learning setting since traditional lectures are no longer the most effective method of getting students involved in active learning. One of the criteria for passing the course in the department of English and Translation at Qassim University is the performance in the oral presentation simulation. Since this performance of a presentation is not just dependent on the cognitive domain but also the affective dimension, and speaking anxiety can be detrimental to students’ performance affecting their learning motivation in the long run and grades in the short term. This study, therefore, examines the level of anxiety, signs of anxiety and factors that lead to oral anxiety among Saudi EFL students. Fifty students from the department of English and Translation at Qassim University’s second semester comprised the study sample. Direct observation, in-depth interviews, and surveys were used to collect data from the participants. Results show that students experience moderate levels of anxiety related to language (M= 3.51, SD= 0.54).

Objectives: This research aims to examine contemporary trends and methods to improve general education curricula in Saudi Arabia. The study employs a qualitative technique based on recent research, books, journals, and other publications. The findings of this study show that the ministry of education in Saudi Arabia must follow current trends and approaches in improving general education curricula that strive to afford educated individuals with a suitable scientific education that prepares them for life in the twenty-first century, which leads them to the acquisition and mastery of advanced and usable scientific concepts. There is, also, a greater understanding and mastery of advanced scientific concepts, as well as the ability to apply science skills and processes, which led to an improvement in students’ innovative and creative abilities, positive scientific attitudes towards science, and the ability to make sound personal and social decisions. It is possible to develop an educational curriculum in a variety of ways, such as by staying abreast of changes in the work environment which also ensures professional and individual growth. The changes in the economy, the agricultural sector, culture, education, availability of suitable logistics, and a balance between theoretical themes and practical applications are all components of the general education curricula in Saudi Arabia.

It is undoubtedly true that some factors influence students' learning of the English language. This research examines factors that influence Saudi students' learning, studying in second language acquisition (ENG 466) course, at the English and Translation Department, Qasim University This qualitative study included 13 Saudi EFL learners using an open-ended three feedback questions to collect the data that explored linguistics, social, and psychological factors that influence their L2 learning. Using the content analysis procedures, the study found: some students considered they were average- or weak second language (L2) learners, more than half of the students believed that they were proficient L2 learners. Additionally, the results showed that all three (linguistic, social, and psychological) factors were significant in either encouraging or discouraging learners in the progression of their L2, for instance, a teacher may be a source of inspiration for students or a source of discouragement. The response also revealed that having a companion to practise the language who is interested in the subjects you are learning with, is among the key elements that define successful language learners. The research advises EFL teachers to exercise caution and address the various elements that influence their students' acquisition of a second language. The present paper's conclusion included a few comments, instructional implications, and suggestions.

EFL is one of the two most liberally funded academic streams in Saudi Arabia after science and technology. Universities across the country are replete with faculty that boast of enviable national and global exposure. Even so, learner standards, especially in writing skills, are way below those expected which highlights the need for rigorous research into what it is that drives the EFL teachers’ choices in the classrooms. This study carried out a systematic evaluation of teachers’ focus in the writing classes at Qassim University, with four parameters isolated for data collection: (i) writing approaches; (ii) writing performance; (iii) writing strategies, and (iv) writing skills. The study tool is a survey with 46 teachers engaged from undergraduate to research studies at the University. The findings showed that writing approaches were the highest focused variable among the EFL faculty followed by writing performance, writing strategies and lastly, writing skills. The findings showed the tendency of EFL teachers to focus on areas that do not directly help in developing their learners' ability in writing and hence, EFL teachers/ instructors’ need to focus on the practical side of the writing skills and providing adequate exposure to their learners in group, pair and individual tasks to master the writing skills. Finally, assessment needs to focus on measuring the practical side of the learners’ knowledge rather than blindly testing them on their ability to reproduce their learning.

International audience

Over the past few years, much attention has been given to the concept of Business\ud Process Reengineering (BPR) and its implementation by various companies as a key\ud strategy to regain or improve their competitive edge in the marketplace. BPR is a new\ud business concept for organizational review that involves a fundamental rethinking and\ud systematic redesign of core business processes supported by advance information\ud technology to achieve sustainable step improvements in measures of performance .\ud \ud \ud The aim of this research was to develop a BPR methodology for a commercial airline\ud that could be used for the various levels and types of operation within the airline\ud business today. The increasing complexity and variety of operations and processes\ud within the airline industry and at the same time the increased interest in BPR as a way\ud to change and improvement to meet current and future challenges are all facts that\ud emphasis the need to tailor a generic BPR methodology to suit the particular\ud requirements of a commercial airline.\ud \ud \ud To achieve the research aim, an extensive review of literature was undertaken to\ud understand the basics and roots of the BPR concept and to establish the need for a\ud BPR methodology for airline companies. The research method also involved a review\ud of current BPR practice and comparison of some famous BPR methodologies. This\ud review and comparison had contributed to develop the basis for the proposed BPR\ud methodology. A comprehensive review and comparative analysis of both American\ud Airlines and Saudi Airlines BPR methodologies was undertaken to stress on their\ud strengths and to overcome their shortcomings which used later to form the basis for\ud the proposed BPR methodology for a commercial airline. In addition to the findings of\ud each stage of this research, another factor was contributed to the development of the\ud proposed methodology is the extensive experience gained by the author in managing\ud and implementing the BPR projects in Saudi Airlines.\ud \ud \ud The proposed BPR methodology represents a business process management model\ud that ensures for the airline the achievement of process awareness, process ownership\ud and process alignment with the airline vision and strategies. It helps to focus the airline\ud effort on core business processes that add value to the end customer of the airline and\ud maintain the required incremental improvement during the continuous improvement\ud phase which is well defined and linked to the entire BPR effort .\ud \ud \ud In addition, the proposed methodology was developed within the airline industry. This\ud involves the application of the roots of this methodology in both American Airlines and\ud Saudia in major BPR projects. Therefore, the proposed BPR methodology has the\ud characteristic of being evolved and tested within airline industry which increase the\ud probability of successful implementation of this methodology for any commercial\ud airline. Indeed, this research has contributed a lot to the development and success of\ud the BPR program within Saudi Arabian Airlines and produced many tangible benefits.\ud Recommendations for further work with respect to some key tools and techniques that\ud needed to support and facilitate the implementation of the proposed BPR methodology\ud are provided .