How to motivate Saudi students to learn English as a second language (ESL) and/or English as a foreign language (EFL) in relation to their cultural experiences and how English teachers can effectively teach them by utilizing technology were discussed during the recently concluded Fourth Annual Conference of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Association of Language Teachers (KSAALT) held here at the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU).
The theme of the conference, “Students’ Identities & Language Learning in Saudi Arabia,” focused on how Saudi students of ESL/EFL view themselves and how that is connected to their language learning.
“Witnessing the change of tides in ESL/EFL learning and teaching nationally and globally, the conference will look as these developments in the context of Saudi Arabia,” said Wai Si El Hassan, chair of the conference, in her welcome message. The conference was attended by delegates from the Gulf Region, North America, Europe and Asia, including outstanding international speakers from leading educational institutions.
Dr. Philline Deraney, associate vice rector of PMU, welcomed the delegates on behalf of PMU rector Dr. Issa Al Ansari and Dr. Nassar Al Sheikh, vice rector for academic affairs. She said PMU is delighted to host the fourth KSAALT conference because the event “fits perfectly with PMU’s mission and vision of global citizenship, community service, and professional development of high standards.”
A lineup of 27 presenters from different educational institutions shared their research and professional experiences in teaching English during the one-day marathon session.
Dr. Suganthi Priscilla John of University of Birmingham, UK, addressing the conference plenary session, defined the social and linguistic understanding of students’ identity in the context of English language students and suggested that teaching activities to enable students to express their identities in writing. She also proposed to English teachers to adapt the revision process in teaching academic writing and creative writing.
Dr. James Simpson of the University of Leeds, also addressing the plenary session, pointed out the power and importance of information technology in learning and teaching English by choosing the right sites in the World Wide Web that are essential in sharpening the literacy skills of students.
The conference also feature four distinguished speakers, namely, Peter Lucantoni from Cambridge University Press, Vicki Hollet and Robert Mclarty from Oxford University Press, and Dr Hazel Denhart from PMU.
Other speakers presented topics all directed to enhancing the English language learning processes, as well as its teaching. Topics presented include academic writing, students’ speaking skills, reading and vocabulary, English classroom strategies, learner strategies for Saudi language learners, teaching technical English, how to be an effective language teacher, understanding Saudi students’ mistakes and motivating them, spelling pitfalls, and planning integrated learning lessons.
Hamdallah Alhusban, KSAALT president, expressed his deep appreciation to all participants, particularly those who came from overseas to attend the conference. “Thank you all for making the efforts to travel long distances from every corner of the kingdom and beyond to attend this wonderful event,” he said in his welcome remark.
KSAALT, established five years ago by a handful of instructors in the Eastern Province, has realized its goal of becoming the only affiliate of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), a global education association, in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, KSAALT has recently become the only associate in Saudi Arabia of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) according to Alhusban. KSAALT is now expanding Kingdom wide with two regional chapters in Riyadh and Jeddah, represented respectively by Dr. Connie Michelle and Ms Laila Al Khatib. A third chapter is also being organized at Taibah University in Medinah.
The association is supported by Prince Mohammad University, the British Council, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press and other educational institutions.
