The seminar, entitled “English Language Teaching in the Kingdom: Realities and Challenges,” will start tomorrow and the topics will include preparing and training English language teachers through the relevant training programs in various Saudi universities and colleges, the reality of English language teachers, factors and requirements for the success of training programs, the role of universities and the private sector in the training process, and the English teacher: between regulations and practice.

The seminar will also focus on the teacher's load, his timetable, his relation with educational supervisors as well as school administrators, the English language curricula and methodologies of instruction for nonspeakers, English language testing, teaching English for special purposes, and students' motivation for learning English.

In addition, there will be workshops on English testing and the use of educational technology in teaching English.

Dr. Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail, the university's rector, explained the aim of organizing such a seminar, saying: “We at Imam University realize the importance of teaching English language since it is an essential communicative tool between societies and cultures.”

He said they were also keen on utilizing the linguistic capabilities for educating people about Islam as well as responding to slanderous campaigns against the religion.

“Therefore we have planned this seminar as an opportunity for specialists from higher education and their colleagues in public education and other institutes to exchange knowledge and expertise, leading to improvements in the educational process,” said Aba Al-Khail.

“We continue to walk this path of serving society and our country by working on general and higher education and focusing on Shariah Sciences and Applied Sciences as directed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the Crown Prince Naif,” he added.

The rector pointed that several committees have been formed in order to ensure the success of this seminar such as the higher committee, and preparatory, scientific, administrative, organizing and media committees.

On his part, Dean of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University for Postgraduate Studies and Academic Research Abdullah Al-Khalaf, who is also head of the preparatory committee, said success in such venues is due to Allah's grace first and foremost.

“Moreover, the continuous support the university gets from King Abdullah and Crown Prince Naif, as well as the supervision of the Minister of Higher Education Khalid Al-Anqari and our rector Aba Al-Khail, all this is crucial to our success,” he added.

Al-Khalaf also noted that the huge portion of the budget that was given to support education in general and universities specifically is proof of this country's custody of the sciences of this age and their tools. It also demonstrates, according to Al-Khalaf, King Abdullah's keenness on Saudis coming out on top in all areas of knowledge and science. He further pointed out the importance of benefiting from such seminars and making use of its output.

On his part, Dean of Faculty of Languages and Translation Muhammad Al-Uhaidib, who is also the head of the preparatory committee, stated that the substandard quality of English teaching in the Kingdom led the faculty members to come up with the idea of this seminar, aiming to diagnose and analyze the problem and propose possible solutions.

“Our faculty suggested this seminar to Dr. Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail, who encouraged us, believing in the university's role in serving the community.”