The importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia in light of economic development and global communication

The importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia has become one of the most important things that many people are keen on in light of the economic development, as it is a bridge of global communication between one country and another, and it is the basic language in business, and it is also a mirror of peoples that preserve history and help economic and cultural growth. Language exchange is considered one of the most important strategies used by peoples for commercial, political and social reasons as well, in addition to the emergence of the importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia in openness and globalization.

The importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia

The importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia has increased with the economic development for the following multiple reasons:

• Learning English helps open up to different cultures and opens many doors for the learner to communicate with many nationalities around the world.
• It is also important to learn English in Saudi Arabia that it gives the learner more courage and self-confidence.
• One of the most important aspects of learning English in schools in Saudi Arabia is developing mental and intellectual skills , which will give the student a better life and more job opportunities. The Saudi labor market needs graduates with excellent English, and it also provides job opportunities and basic or postgraduate studies such as a master’s degree or doctorate and many different diplomas.
• Global communication, especially since English is the most widely used language among countries in communication and business. The importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia is for the Kingdom to continue dealing in global trade and cooperating with many companies of different nationalities. Learning English is not an option, but rather a necessity for real communication with partners and customers all over the world.
• One of the most important things about learning English in Saudi Arabia is expanding the tourism sector, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is interested in attracting millions of tourists annually, and English is considered the primary language used by most tourists around the world. Therefore, the importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia is essential, especially for those working in the tourism, hospitality and services sectors.
•       The importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia is highlighted in following the Saudi economy, as oil and energy constitute a very important part of the economy, and most oil companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia need the English language because it is the leading language in this sector. Therefore, learning the English language is essential for those working in technical jobs and managing those projects, in addition to developing businesses within the energy and oil sectors.
• Proficiency in English greatly enhances the chances of getting a job in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia compared to a person who does not have English, because the importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia opens up the field of work with multinational companies, which increases your access to high-paying jobs and promotion to leadership positions at work.
• Another important aspect of learning English in Saudi Arabia is that this language opens up job opportunities abroad , and those working in Saudi markets who have good English are able to move between global markets with ease.
• English plays an important role in technological development and innovation , as many modern resources and technologies depend on the English language. Therefore, workers in these sectors must be fluent in English to communicate with others, understand the instructions given to them, and benefit from the available resources as well.
• In addition, the importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia increases personal skills such as communication with others, self-confidence and leadership. Learning English also enhances the opportunities for professional development for all people in the Saudi labor market.

Problems of learning English in Saudi Arabia

Some studies have been published that talk about the importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia, and some of the problems facing students in schools in Saudi Arabia, including:

• Using the qualitative approach in the study in addition to following the case study approach in order to be able to examine the language learning process in schools .
• Students in Saudi schools face some educational challenges, including common educational issues in school.
• Students also face difficulties with grammar and reading, in addition to difficulty in pronouncing the language correctly orally.
• Another difficulty in learning English in Saudi Arabia is the presence of linguistic texts that are not educationally appropriate for students.
• Overcrowding in classrooms in Saudi schools reduces students’ concentration and makes it difficult to pay attention to each student individually.
• The three teaching methods of direct, structural and grammatical translation are not applied in a way that is suitable for students.
• Some students need more experienced teachers .
• Some teachers in Saudi Arabia lack some of the skills necessary to develop students’ skills, including not involving students in activities and discussions that would enhance their self-confidence and increase their ability to learn the language better.
• The time allocated to studying English in Saudi Arabia, at a rate of four lessons per week, is not sufficient because the student loses his connection with the language once the lesson ends.
• Parents' lack of interest in the English language negatively affects their children's level in schools. Therefore, studies have shown that parents' academic level in the English language is positively reflected on students in schools.
• Students' lack of awareness of the importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia at the beginning makes them less interested in learning it.
• The curricula prescribed in Saudi Arabia in the English language are not compatible with the international curriculum and the goals that the student needs later.
• Unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of educational and technical equipment in schools in Saudi Arabia, as students cannot listen to audio recordings or watch video clips of the English language. Moreover, libraries in schools in Saudi Arabia do not even contain short stories that highlight the importance of learning the English language in Saudi Arabia.
• Not using quality standards in Saudi schools, including the teaching standard and the learning standard. These standards are the ones on which educational policies, systems, programs, and applications are based, and not using standardized means to measure the ability and efficiency of the teacher applying for the position of English language teacher.
• English language teachers in Saudi Arabia need to attend courses that teach them the correct and modern methods of learning the English language, which increases their cultural awareness and helps them change their traditional teaching methods, which are mainly based on the Audio-Lingual Method and the Grammar Translation Method.

School.com and the solution to the problem of learning English in Saudi Arabia

Given the importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia, the Madrasa.com platform has facilitated all the difficulties facing students and adults in learning English by offering special courses to teach English online to suit everyone anywhere, in addition to the courses having flexible timings in the morning or evening according to the student’s time. The Madrasa.com platform offers a selection of the best English language teachers and native speakers to provide the best educational program for the English language and increase students’ skills and linguistic ability in a short time.

English private lessons content on the Madrasa.com platform

Believing in the importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia, the Madrasa.com platform offers private lessons to teach English from the first level to the twelfth level, in addition to preparation courses for English language tests for university admission:

These courses are:

• Develop English language skills in the four basic skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• English vocabulary training.
• Practice English grammar.
• Developing skills to interact and communicate with others

In addition, the Madrasa.com platform provides preparation courses for the IELTS and TOEFL tests.

The Madrasa.com platform is distinguished by its Arab and foreign teachers who are able to work with all different levels of all students in all classes and at all levels from the first level to the twelfth level.

The importance of learning English in Saudi Arabia is not a luxury, but rather a very important matter because English is the global language of communication between individuals and companies and is widely used in business, travel, or study. Proficiency in English is an essential element in the labor market, especially since it opens up new opportunities for you that are more competitive and challenging. Knowing English helps you access a lot of information online because there are many sites that use English to publish their scientific resources.

From here we realize that the importance of learning the English language in Saudi Arabia helps us understand different cultures around the world, and opens up many global horizons, fields and specializations for us because it is an indispensable communication tool in this era.