The English language has achieved global significance for communication in all types of business and trade and Saudi Arabia is no exception.

Accordingly, the Technical and Vocational Training Council (TVTC) launched an intensive English language program Thursday over a period of 21 weeks where graduates of the institute will be taught English by native speakers. A meeting was also organized for the graduate students of both genders under the slogan, “Meet the moderators of English language programs” at the institute’s headquarters.

The announcement was made in the presence of Mohammed Al-Ghafile, supervisor of the intensive English language program, and Ahmed bin Jallah, TVTC director in Makkah.

The Technical and Vocational Training Council had started a voluntary English language course nearly four years ago for the students of TVTC to cover the needs of the industry and to develop Saudi graduates’ communication skills in English where they claimed that almost 9,389 students had qualified with high efficiency in the language.

Rashid bin Mohammed Al-Zahrani, deputy director of the TVTC in Makkah, said that this time the English language program was both intensive and mandatory. “The institute has adopted an intensive English language program where students will be trained by native speakers,” he said, adding that there are plans to upgrade the program to a higher level.

“The program is an important step to develop the ability of graduate students in English language communication and will contribute to their development,” he explained.

He further said that the program is especially meant for Saudi men and women to help them obtain a diploma from the TVTC which will enable them to enroll for the King Abdullah Scholarship program.

Ghafile said that the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training and the American company Inter Link signed an agreement of partnership to teach English.

He added that almost 14 branches of the program for boys will be opened in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al-Ahsa, Madinah, Hail, Khamis Mushyat, Qassim, Jazan, Najran, Baha, Al-Jouf, Tabuk, and Arar while there will be 6 branches for girls in Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Al-Ahsa, Tabuk and Buraidah.