Saudis’ attitude towards English: trend and rationale [articol]

Abstract

This paper investigates the trend of Saudis’ attitude towards English and the reasons behind it. To discern the trend of the attitudinal change, the paper analyses the findings of some relevant studies conducted in 1990s and 2000s. Moreover, to find out the raison d'être behind the change, the paper looks into the reasons underlying the introduction and expansion of English language teaching in Saudi Arabia as English language teaching and the positive attitude towards it are supposed to grow concomitantly. The paper focuses on two major contributing factors—Saudi Economy (SE) and Saudi English Language Education Policies (SELEP)—in the expansion of English language teaching in Saudi Arabia. The paper concludes that if the economic trend remains and if SELEP continue to exert their influence on Saudi citizens and the English language teaching, the increasingly positive attitude towards English will prevail in Saudi Arabia.