Learning English Language and Literature in Saudi Arabian Universities: Students' Perceptions of Successful and Unsuccessful Methodologies

Author

Safa Mansouri, University of Central Florida

Keywords

English language study and teaching; English literature; Islamic universities and colleges; Saudi Arabia; Language and languages; Universities and colleges curricula, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study focuses on identifying students' perceptions of the most successful and least successful methodologies of teaching/ learning- English language and literature in Saudi Arabian universities. The study employed a questionnaire format, which was distributed to the English Departments of three Saudi Arabian universities and one college for women, to gather data. Data analysis revealed that students had many problems, especially with Old and Middle English literature. Language problems, cultural differences, and unfamiliarity with the literary or historical backgrounds of the English literature were cited as the major obstacles to learning. Students of any foreign ,literature need a constantly improved curriculum which uses methods aimed at overcoming and simplifying these major language and cultural differences. Data analysis also indicated that students perceived the lack of oral practice and lack of stimuli, such as the use of films and other colorful supplemental material, as major reasons for their difficulties. The study has implications for English instruction in Saudi Arabia and for future research. Samples of the students' and teachers' comments are included in the appendix.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1988

Semester

Spring

Advisor

McGee, Nancy R.

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

College

College of Education

Degree Program

Curriculum and Instruction

Format

PDF

Pages

192 p.

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Identifier

DP0022613

STARS Citation

Mansouri, Safa, "Learning English Language and Literature in Saudi Arabian Universities: Students' Perceptions of Successful and Unsuccessful Methodologies" (1988). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 5135.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd/5135

Accessibility Status

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