Embassies strive to teach languages to Saudis

European embassies plan to develop their languages learning centers in the Kingdom by establishing new facilities to attract more Saudis and expatriates.
Previously, such language learning centers failed to offer high-level courses due to the few students who enrolled in the courses.
There are cultural centers of French, German, Italian and English languages. However, English language is more interesting to citizens and expatriates in the Kingdom due to its importance in the business and education sectors.
English language also is sponsored be the British Council that aims to enhance the language over the world. At the same time, the others European languages face problems to be circulated in Saudi Arabia.
Most of the current European language centers in Saudi Arabia offer top-level language learning courses. These centers could not open a new class starting from fifth-level to higher level without enrolling at least five students in a same class. The international examinations of the language cannot be organized without high turnout of students in the Kingdom.
The French language is taught by the Saudi French Center in the Kingdom represents the second language after English and is favored among Arab expatriates. However, this language could be circulated widely in the Saudi society.
There are some private schools in the Kingdom who teach French language as an additional activity.
The French Embassy has established an institute, Alliance Francaise, for French language learning for men and women in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar. The Saudi universities, such as the King Saud University, King Abdul Aziz University, the University of Hail and the University of Tabuk also have signed 60 agreement with the French Embassy.
The embassy is working to activate the French language education with several private schools in Saudi Arabia to teach the language as additional methods. The center is expected to open around the middle of this year.
The German government also announced plans to set up a language center in Riyadh to teach German to Saudis in order to familiarize them with the European economic and cultural giant. The center is expected to open around the middle of this year.
The German Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dieter W. Haller, told Arab New, “We have about 1,000 Saudi students in Germany. A lot needs to be done on that front. We see big room for improvement. The basic hurdle is the language. We are a highly advanced and wonderful country, but language can sometimes be a barrier. German is not an easy language but one can learn it. This is the reason that our government has, in close consultation with the Saudi government.
We have decided to set up a full-fledged language center in Riyadh. By doing so, we hope to be more attractive to Saudi students.”
Essam Rabeea, Egyptian resident who tried to learn French language in Jeddah, said, “I could not continue studying French in the Saudi French Center due to few numbers of students there. I have taken courses to learn the language as first, second, third and fourth levels with 7 students and then I was surprised when I got only 2 students who intend to complete with me.”