Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 10. Number 2. June 2019 Pp. 253-364
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no2.27
Attitudes of Saudi EFL Learners towards Speaking Skills
Jamal Kaid Mohammed Ali
Department of English, College of Arts, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
Muayad Abdulhalim Shamsan
Department of English, College of Arts, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
Rajakumar Guduru
School of Humanities, Social Science and Management, Indian Institute of Technology,
Bhubaneswar, India
Nirmala Yemmela
Department of English, College of Arts, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
Abstract:
This paper looks at intensive program students’ perceptions of English-speaking skills and emphasizes the immediate need for improving them at all levels of higher education. For this purpose, 100 students (50 males and 50 females) of the intensive program from colleges of Arts, Business and Community, Saudi Arabia were administered a questionnaire. The data were analyzed quantitatively with SPSS. The findings of the study show that male and female students do not differ in their perceptions about learning to speak English and they are now becoming more aware of the growing importance of learning English. It is also found that lack of environment, interest and motivation are the most important factors that affect students’ speaking skills. In addition, female students’ perception towards English learning is more positive. The analysis also indicates that there is an undisputed agreement among the learners that English language will play an important role in Saudi Arabia. Finally, some implications for teachers to develop students’ speaking skills are presented.
Keywords: attitudes, grammar for speaking, Saudi EFL learners, speaking skills, vocabulary for speaking
Cite as: Ali, J. K. M., Shamsan, M.A., Guduru, R., & Yemmela, N. (2019) Attitudes of Saudi EFL Learners towards Speaking Skills.
Arab World English Journal, 10 (2) 253-364 .
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no2.27