King Khalid University

  Ms. Sharmin Siddiqui presented a paper titled "Enhancing Communicative Competence in English: Some Needs to Be Addressed" at a webinar organized by the Language Research Center on March 02, 2022. She highlighted the notion, components, strategies, and issues related to communicative competence.   The presenter referenced different scholarly views (Widowson, Brown, etc.) on communicative competence. Based on the scholarly opinions, she explained the fact that proper knowledge of a language is beyond the learners' ability to understand, read, write and speak. The proper competence is not fulfilled unless the learners' knowledge has its communicative effect. She also emphasized the real-world application of the target language, which is something closely associated with communicative competence. She added the intriguing phenomenon that communicative competence among students in a foreign or second language is more complex than we like to think.   Siddiqui highlighted the controversy over the notion of communicative competence mentioning the fact that Chomsky was the first proponent to distinguish between the lexical items – performance and competence. Chomsky, she added, clearly termed the former as the knowledge of various grammatical rules and the latter as successful communication. Hymes added socio-cultural factors to this concept, said Siddiqui.   Siddiqui explained in detail the four components of communicative competence (Sauvignon 1997) – discourse competence, strategic competence, grammatical competence, and sociolinguistic competence. These four can be the basis for curriculum design as well as classroom practice. There is a need for special hours to provide students with facilities and guidance for their proper improvement.   When it comes to issues associated with communicative competence, she added lack of linguistic and background knowledge, inability to organize ideas and express oneself, foreign language inhibition and anxiety, shyness, interlanguage errors, overgeneralization, excessive use of the native tongue, and limited teaching time are some of the main problems impeding the development of communicative competency among English language learners.   Siddiqui concluded that having the proper communication skills would equip learners with confidence and the ability to express themselves effectively. Constant and systematic research is needed to understand how to help students achieve communicative competence fully.   The webinar was very interactive and a great success with both male and female faculty members' active participation. Date: 3/5/2022 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique

أقام نادي The English Club بكلية اللغات والترجمة بأبها بالتعاون مع عمادة شؤون الطلاب لشؤون الطالبات  تمثيل مسرحية لكاتب مشهور من التسعينات بعنوان Pygmalion. وذلك في يوم الخميس الموافق ١٤٤٣/٧/٣٠ هـ من ١١-١٢.  حيث تضمنت المسرحية ٩ مشاهد ولكل مشهد ديكور وازياء مختلفة. صممت طالبات النادي أزياء وديكور كل مشهد وتنقلت الطالبات بين المشاهد بكل سلاسة.  تقسمت المهام بين عضوات النادي كالتالي: (مخرجة وهي الطالبة التي حرصت على تدريب الممثلات مع مشرفة النشاط، ممثلات، خلف الكواليس،  مصممات ازياء وديكور، مسؤولات عن الميك أب، مسؤولات التنظيم والضيافة خلال المسرحية، و راوي المسرحية التي تتحدث بين المشاهد حتى يتم تغيير ديكور المشهد التالي، ومسؤولات عن الدعوات والإعلان للمسرحية. )  تم الاعلان والترويج للمسرحية وتصميم بطاقات دعوة، كما تم الاجتماع بالطالبات الممثلات عدة أيام للتدريب والمناقشة.  حضر المسرحية ١١ عضو هيئة تدريس وقرابة ١١٢ طالبة وموظفة.  مشرفة النشاط: أ. مرام المالكي رائدة النشاط: هند أبو داسر Video Link 1 Video Link 2 Video Link 3

أقام نادي The English Club بكلية اللغات والترجمة بأبها بالتعاون مع عمادة شؤون الطلاب لشؤون الطالبات  تمثيل مسرحية لكاتب مشهور من التسعينات بعنوان Pygmalion. وذلك في يوم الخميس الموافق ١٤٤٣/٧/٣٠ هـ من ١١-١٢.  حيث تضمنت المسرحية ٩ مشاهد ولكل مشهد ديكور وازياء مختلفة. صممت طالبات النادي أزياء وديكور كل مشهد وتنقلت الطالبات بين المشاهد بكل سلاسة.  تقسمت المهام بين عضوات النادي كالتالي: (مخرجة وهي الطالبة التي حرصت على تدريب الممثلات مع مشرفة النشاط، ممثلات، خلف الكواليس،  مصممات ازياء وديكور، مسؤولات عن الميك أب، مسؤولات التنظيم والضيافة خلال المسرحية، و راوي المسرحية التي تتحدث بين المشاهد حتى يتم تغيير ديكور المشهد التالي، ومسؤولات عن الدعوات والإعلان للمسرحية. )  تم الاعلان والترويج للمسرحية وتصميم بطاقات دعوة، كما تم الاجتماع بالطالبات الممثلات عدة أيام للتدريب والمناقشة.  حضر المسرحية ١١ عضو هيئة تدريس وقرابة ١١٢ طالبة وموظفة.  مشرفة النشاط: أ. مرام المالكي رائدة النشاط: هند أبو داسر Video Link 1 Video Link 2 Video Link 3

أقام نادي The English Club بكلية اللغات والترجمة بأبها بالتعاون مع عمادة شؤون الطلاب لشؤون الطالبات  فعالية "رحلة حول العالم”  ‏“Tour Around The World”  وذلك في يوم الأربعاء ١٥/٧/١٤٤٣ هـ من ٩-١٢.  تضمنت الفعالية أركان عدة بثقافات مختلفة مبتدأة محليًا بركن عسير (قمم وشيم) إلى اسكتلندا و إيطاليا واليابان و كندا و أمريكا. عرضت الطالبات الدول وثقافاتها المتنوعة بطريقة جاذبة لتأخذ الجميع بجولة حول العالم تحت سقف كلية اللغات والترجمة، حيث تضمن كل من الأركان الأطباق الرئيسية للدولة و عرض كلمات من اللغة الرسمية وترجمتها و أهم معالم وجامعات الدولة وماذا تشتهر به ونبذه عن تاريخها. كما كان في كل ركن طالبات متحدثات باللغة الانجليزية يتحدثن عن سبب اختيارهن للدولة وأهم المعلومات عنها. من ضمنها ركن عسير.  حضر بحدود ٣٤٠ طالبة وأعضاء هيئة تدريس وموظفات.  مشرفة النشاط: أ. مرام المالكي  رائدة النشاط: هند أبو داسر

أقام نادي The English Club بكلية اللغات والترجمة بأبها بالتعاون مع عمادة شؤون الطلاب لشؤون الطالبات  فعالية "رحلة حول العالم”  ‏“Tour Around The World”  وذلك في يوم الأربعاء ١٥/٧/١٤٤٣ هـ من ٩-١٢.  تضمنت الفعالية أركان عدة بثقافات مختلفة مبتدأة محليًا بركن عسير (قمم وشيم) إلى اسكتلندا و إيطاليا واليابان و كندا و أمريكا. عرضت الطالبات الدول وثقافاتها المتنوعة بطريقة جاذبة لتأخذ الجميع بجولة حول العالم تحت سقف كلية اللغات والترجمة، حيث تضمن كل من الأركان الأطباق الرئيسية للدولة و عرض كلمات من اللغة الرسمية وترجمتها و أهم معالم وجامعات الدولة وماذا تشتهر به ونبذه عن تاريخها. كما كان في كل ركن طالبات متحدثات باللغة الانجليزية يتحدثن عن سبب اختيارهن للدولة وأهم المعلومات عنها. من ضمنها ركن عسير.  حضر بحدود ٣٤٠ طالبة وأعضاء هيئة تدريس وموظفات.  مشرفة النشاط: أ. مرام المالكي  رائدة النشاط: هند أبو داسر

On February 16, 2022, Mr. Mohammad Adil led a dynamic workshop titled "A Practical Approach to Aligning Course Learning Outcomes with Tests and Other Assessment Tools." This timely workshop, organized by the Language Research Center, provided a deep dive into methods for effectively measuring course learning outcomes, stressing the significance of advance planning for outcome alignment. Initiating the session with an engaging brainstorming exercise, Adil presented participants with a sample course report emphasizing learning outcome measurement. Participants were then tasked with identifying potential issues with the demonstrated measurement in the report, sparking a lively exchange of ideas. Adil highlighted the necessity for instructors to measure each learning outcome based on distinct tasks. He explained that when a comprehensive test, such as a final exam, aligns with multiple learning outcomes, the measurement should be based on points achieved per task rather than the total exam score. He meticulously demonstrated how final exam tasks could be precisely aligned with specific learning outcomes and how these could be effectively and accurately measured. In addition, Adil briefly discussed potential approaches to crafting assignments based on specific learning outcomes. Emphasizing a proactive strategy, he advised coordinators to develop and share alignment plans with instructors at the beginning of a course to prevent confusion and misalignment. The practical and insightful workshop was well-received and deemed a great success. A recording of the event, titled "CLO Alignment Webinar," is available for further reference and revisiting the rich discussions of the workshop. In a seamless continuation of the training session explained above, the Development and Quality Unit later in the day further highlighted the dedication to enhancing educational standards. This session, pivotal in strengthening our assessment process, emphasized: Effective Use of Moderation Checklist: Reinforcing its role in ensuring fair, valid, and reliable assessments, aligned with learning outcomes. Review of Past Exams: Analyzing previous results to refine assessment strategies, ensuring alignment with educational goals. Phases of Assessment Moderation: From pre-assessment checks to post-assessment evaluations, ensuring thoroughness and fairness in line with Bloom's Revised Taxonomy. Application of Bloom's Taxonomy: This ensures a diverse range of cognitive skill assessments, from basic understanding to complex analysis. This comprehensive approach, anchored by past assessments and the moderation checklist, significantly elevates the consistency, fairness, and educational alignment of our courses and program assessments.

On February 16, 2022, Mr. Mohammad Adil led a dynamic workshop titled "A Practical Approach to Aligning Course Learning Outcomes with Tests and Other Assessment Tools." This timely workshop, organized by the Language Research Center, provided a deep dive into methods for effectively measuring course learning outcomes, stressing the significance of advance planning for outcome alignment. Initiating the session with an engaging brainstorming exercise, Adil presented participants with a sample course report emphasizing learning outcome measurement. Participants were then tasked with identifying potential issues with the demonstrated measurement in the report, sparking a lively exchange of ideas. Adil highlighted the necessity for instructors to measure each learning outcome based on distinct tasks. He explained that when a comprehensive test, such as a final exam, aligns with multiple learning outcomes, the measurement should be based on points achieved per task rather than the total exam score. He meticulously demonstrated how final exam tasks could be precisely aligned with specific learning outcomes and how these could be effectively and accurately measured. In addition, Adil briefly discussed potential approaches to crafting assignments based on specific learning outcomes. Emphasizing a proactive strategy, he advised coordinators to develop and share alignment plans with instructors at the beginning of a course to prevent confusion and misalignment. The practical and insightful workshop was well-received and deemed a great success. A recording of the event, titled "CLO Alignment Webinar," is available for further reference and revisiting the rich discussions of the workshop. In a seamless continuation of the training session explained above, the Development and Quality Unit later in the day further highlighted the dedication to enhancing educational standards. This session, pivotal in strengthening our assessment process, emphasized: Effective Use of Moderation Checklist: Reinforcing its role in ensuring fair, valid, and reliable assessments, aligned with learning outcomes. Review of Past Exams: Analyzing previous results to refine assessment strategies, ensuring alignment with educational goals. Phases of Assessment Moderation: From pre-assessment checks to post-assessment evaluations, ensuring thoroughness and fairness in line with Bloom's Revised Taxonomy. Application of Bloom's Taxonomy: This ensures a diverse range of cognitive skill assessments, from basic understanding to complex analysis. This comprehensive approach, anchored by past assessments and the moderation checklist, significantly elevates the consistency, fairness, and educational alignment of our courses and program assessments.

Translation Unit at FLT has subtitled into English three YouTube videos about recent national topics (the Saudi Founding Day, the difference between the Saudi Founding Day and National Day, and Aseer Strategic Development Plan), aiming to provide much-needed information for non-Arabic audience locally and globally and familiarize them with the remarkable national developments in Saudi Arabia. Enjoy watching!  قامت وحدة الترجمة في كلية اللغات والترجمة بترجمة ثلاثة مقاطع من اليوتيوب إلى اللغة الإنجليزية حول مواضيع وطنية حديثة (يوم التأسيس السعودي، والفرق بين يوم التأسيس السعودي واليوم الوطني، وخطة التنمية الاستراتيجية لمنطقة عسير). وتهدف الترجمة إلى توفير المعلومات اللازمة للناطقين بغير العربية محليًا وعالمياً واطلاعهم على التطورات الوطنية الرائعة في المملكة العربية السعودية. مشاهدة ممتعة نرجوها لكم! Click the links below to view the videos. Founding Day Founding Day vs. National Day Aseer Strategic Plan Date: 2/15/2022 Source: Translation Unit Director, Dr. Eisa Asiri

Translation Unit at FLT has subtitled into English three YouTube videos about recent national topics (the Saudi Founding Day, the difference between the Saudi Founding Day and National Day, and Aseer Strategic Development Plan), aiming to provide much-needed information for non-Arabic audience locally and globally and familiarize them with the remarkable national developments in Saudi Arabia. Enjoy watching!  قامت وحدة الترجمة في كلية اللغات والترجمة بترجمة ثلاثة مقاطع من اليوتيوب إلى اللغة الإنجليزية حول مواضيع وطنية حديثة (يوم التأسيس السعودي، والفرق بين يوم التأسيس السعودي واليوم الوطني، وخطة التنمية الاستراتيجية لمنطقة عسير). وتهدف الترجمة إلى توفير المعلومات اللازمة للناطقين بغير العربية محليًا وعالمياً واطلاعهم على التطورات الوطنية الرائعة في المملكة العربية السعودية. مشاهدة ممتعة نرجوها لكم! Please see embedded YouTube videos below. Founding Day Founding Day vs. National Day Aseer Strategic Plan Date: 2/15/2022 Source: Translation Unit Director, Dr. Eisa Asiri

  On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 8 pm, four Bachelor of Arts in English program rising seniors, and student representatives of the King Khalid University 2021 Online Summer Program with Monash University, delivered an Alumni Unit webinar entitled "Summer Course Experience: Monash University".   Beginning the webinar as the moderator, Rayan Hassan Alfaifi, a student at the Faculty of Languages and Translation's 4-week 2021 online summer program titled "English Across Cultures and Intercultural Awareness" that ended on 19 August 2021, explained that the program translated into a deeper understanding of the English language and culture. Rayan said: "We thought that why wouldn't we make a full summary of this program and give it to all students through this webinar. This is the whole idea of this webinar." He then introduced the thematic points of the webinar, including fun facts about Monash University, Australian culture & language, language and culture, teaching and learning culture, cultural awareness, intercultural information, bilingualism, native speakerism, pedagogy and fairness, and research tips.   "We were thrilled to offer this opportunity to our top students, especially during the pandemic," said Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, Dean at the Faculty of Languages and Translation. "What's remarkable about the online summer program is how KKU's and Monash's high-caliber faculty collaborated to design a curriculum that fit the needs of our students," said Dr. Abdulrahman Almosa, Vice Dean of Academic Development & Quality at the Faculty of Languages and Translation   Hind Mufleh Abudaser, Jana Muneer Saeed, Rayan Hassan Alfaifi, and Faisal Mohammad Asiri then began the informative part of the webinar. They introduced participants to the origins of Australian culture, the colorful vocabulary of Australian English, examples of diminutives, the intersections of language and culture, language as a code, language as a social practice, approaches to learning culture, the four categories of cultural awareness, the concepts of interculturalism and the spaces they are defined in, steps to becoming an intercultural learner, bilingualism, multilingualism, fractional and holistic views, code-switching, translanguaging, the myth of ambilingualism, English as an international language (EIL), the fallacies of native speakerism, pedagogy and fairness, equality vs. equity, and research tips.   The Summer Language Program is a recent development managed by the Faculty of Languages and Translation and its international partners. It serves to enrich gifted and talented students with extracurricular activities in a variety of fields to develop their abilities and skills. Special thanks go to the Alumni Unit for communicating and involving alumni in events and activities.To watch a recording of the event, please see the embedded video below. Summer Course Experience: Monash University Date: 2/13/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation For a related story, click here.