EFL

  Dr. Ahlullah Siddiqui, Bachelor of Arts in English program, delivered a presentation titled Interpretive Reading at the seminar organized by the Language Research Center on November 27, 2019. The presentation was based on a research paper titled "Interpretive reading as a strategy to construct meaning in EFL Reading Comprehension: A case study at KKU EFL Classroom ", conducted by Dr. Ahmad Ismail Assiri and Dr. Ahlullah Siddiqui.   The presentation focused on how effective interpretive reading is in reading comprehension. Dr. Siddiqui highlighted some previous studies conducted by Alsamadini (2009), Al-Jarf (2007), Carrell (1989) and Cooper (1984). The studies, he stated, emphasized the positive correlation between language competence and being able to understand written texts, and how reading helps in vocabulary building.   Dr. Siddiqui related that interpretive reading is the effective communication of thoughts and or feelings of an author to the listener. He then stated the research objectives: to determine whether interpretive reading has a significant effect on students' reading comprehension; to investigate the efficacy of interpretive reading in employing various types of texts; to compare the effect of interpretive reading to that of silent reading and reading aloud respectively; and to suggest ways in which teacher can go about using interpretive reading in their teaching. He, while explaining the methodology, also compared the statistical data of the control group and the experimental group. Finally, he explained in detail the research outcomes. Two video clips were also played, which demonstrated two examples of interpretive reading.   The seminar was very interactive and a great success. It is worth mentioning that the King Abdullah Road Campus also attended the seminar. Date: 11/30/2019 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique

  Dr. Ahlullah Siddiqui, Bachelor of Arts in English program, delivered a presentation titled Interpretive Reading at the seminar organized by the Language Research Center on November 27, 2019. The presentation was based on a research paper titled "Interpretive reading as a strategy to construct meaning in EFL Reading Comprehension: A case study at KKU EFL Classroom ", conducted by Dr. Ahmad Ismail Assiri and Dr. Ahlullah Siddiqui.   The presentation focused on how effective interpretive reading is in reading comprehension. Dr. Siddiqui highlighted some previous studies conducted by Alsamadini (2009), Al-Jarf (2007), Carrell (1989) and Cooper (1984). The studies, he stated, emphasized the positive correlation between language competence and being able to understand written texts, and how reading helps in vocabulary building.   Dr. Siddiqui related that interpretive reading is the effective communication of thoughts and or feelings of an author to the listener. He then stated the research objectives: to determine whether interpretive reading has a significant effect on students' reading comprehension; to investigate the efficacy of interpretive reading in employing various types of texts; to compare the effect of interpretive reading to that of silent reading and reading aloud respectively; and to suggest ways in which teacher can go about using interpretive reading in their teaching. He, while explaining the methodology, also compared the statistical data of the control group and the experimental group. Finally, he explained in detail the research outcomes. Two video clips were also played, which demonstrated two examples of interpretive reading.   The seminar was very interactive and a great success. It is worth mentioning that the King Abdullah Road Campus also attended the seminar. Date: 11/30/2019 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique

  Mohammad Adil conducted a workshop entitled 'Practising Professionalism in EFL Teaching', which was organized by the Language Research Center on October 2, 2019. The workshop was centered on effective classroom and test administration practices. The workshop comprised some input sessions and brainstorming tasks.   The workshop began with a warm-up task that covered good classroom practices. This task fully engaged the participants by activating their existing knowledge of classroom practices.   Mohammad Adil started his input session by discussing classroom practices that emphasized 'Principled Eclecticism' and the learner-centered approach to teaching. He explained that the teaching method might vary according to learners' needs and the content of teaching. A well-designed lesson plan could make the entire lesson well-organized, he said, while talking about lesson plan stages and shapes.   Adil also discussed effective whiteboard use in class that could make a lesson engaging, effective, and interesting. "Successful whiteboard use can change the entire classroom environment," stated Adil while demonstrating various ways to use a whiteboard.   Mohammad Adil finished his session with significant issues related to testing. He highlighted what to do before designing a test while designing a test and after the test is finalized. The key concepts covered were the importance of exam training for students, the clarity of instructions in tests, and meeting the testing criteria.   During the input sessions, there were a few brainstorming tasks that engaged the participants and made the whole session interactive.   The workshop was a great success and raised awareness of successful and professional English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom practices among the participants.   Please click here to browse the booklet used in the workshop. Date: 10-2-2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation Photography: Dr. Justin Sfariac and Jahangir Alam

  Mohammad Adil conducted a workshop entitled 'Practising Professionalism in EFL Teaching', which was organized by the Language Research Center on October 2, 2019. The workshop was centered on effective classroom and test administration practices. The workshop comprised some input sessions and brainstorming tasks.   The workshop began with a warm-up task that covered good classroom practices. This task fully engaged the participants by activating their existing knowledge of classroom practices.   Mohammad Adil started his input session by discussing classroom practices that emphasized 'Principled Eclecticism' and the learner-centered approach to teaching. He explained that the teaching method might vary according to learners' needs and the content of teaching. A well-designed lesson plan could make the entire lesson well-organized, he said, while talking about lesson plan stages and shapes.   Adil also discussed effective whiteboard use in class that could make a lesson engaging, effective, and interesting. "Successful whiteboard use can change the entire classroom environment," stated Adil while demonstrating various ways to use a whiteboard.   Mohammad Adil finished his session with significant issues related to testing. He highlighted what to do before designing a test while designing a test and after the test is finalized. The key concepts covered were the importance of exam training for students, the clarity of instructions in tests, and meeting the testing criteria.   During the input sessions, there were a few brainstorming tasks that engaged the participants and made the whole session interactive.   The workshop was a great success and raised awareness of successful and professional English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom practices among the participants.   Please click here to browse the booklet used in the workshop. Date: 10-2-2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation Photography: Dr. Justin Sfariac and Jahangir Alam

  On March 23, 2019, the 5th Annual Forum titled Modern Strategies in Teaching English was held at the Saudi German Hospital. The event was organized by Al Khaleej Training and Education and the Faculty of Languages and Translation. The primary aim of the forum was to share ideas about the modern concepts of English language teaching. The event was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Mowafiq Al-Momani. The program consisted of two sessions and six presentations.   Michael Rattan gave a presentation titled 'How to Learn?' and Jordan Rimpela spoke on the subject of 'The Benefits of Teaching ELLs Affixes, Roots and Their Meanings'. Three other presentations were delivered by Bryan Bell, Mohammad Adil and Christopher Harris who talked respectively about 'The Psychology of Classroom Dynamics', 'Successful Classroom Management in EFL Teaching', and 'Living and Working in Saudi Arabia'.   A medical (PYP) student named Ahmed Abdullah Alamoud also shared his interesting English learning experience and emphasized its importance in real life.   The event ended with a certificate award ceremony that honored the presenters. This ceremony was graced with the presence of Dr. Musa Al-Ahmari, English Language Center Director. The forum undoubtedly was a great success. Date: 3-26-2019 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique Multimedia Source: Mohammad Taisir Albukaai

  On March 23, 2019, the 5th Annual Forum titled Modern Strategies in Teaching English was held at the Saudi German Hospital. The event was organized by Al Khaleej Training and Education and the Faculty of Languages and Translation. The primary aim of the forum was to share ideas about the modern concepts of English language teaching. The event was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Mowafiq Al-Momani. The program consisted of two sessions and six presentations.   Michael Rattan gave a presentation titled 'How to Learn?' and Jordan Rimpela spoke on the subject of 'The Benefits of Teaching ELLs Affixes, Roots and Their Meanings'. Three other presentations were delivered by Bryan Bell, Mohammad Adil and Christopher Harris who talked respectively about 'The Psychology of Classroom Dynamics', 'Successful Classroom Management in EFL Teaching', and 'Living and Working in Saudi Arabia'.   A medical (PYP) student named Ahmed Abdullah Alamoud also shared his interesting English learning experience and emphasized its importance in real life.   The event ended with a certificate award ceremony that honored the presenters. This ceremony was graced with the presence of Dr. Musa Al-Ahmari, English Language Center Director. The forum undoubtedly was a great success. Date: 3-26-2019 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique Multimedia Source: Mohammad Taisir Albukaai

Dr. Abdulrahman Abdullah Almosa delivered a presentation on April 03, 2018, at a seminar organized by Faculty of Languages and Translation, King Khalid University. His presentation was based on his current Ph.D. thesis. In the presentation titled Multimedia Assisted Language Learning (MMALL) Facilitating L2 Listening Comprehension in an EFL Classroom, he highlighted the difficulties learners experience in listening comprehension and how MMALL could help to overcome them.  Dr. Almosa stated that the primary goal of his study was to investigate the effect of the use of Multimedia Assisted Learning Modalities in facilitating listening comprehension in the context of Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Saudi Arabia. Modalities, he explained, are various forms of technology that creates a multimedia environment (e.g., video displaying transcripts). The study that he made on Saudi Elementary students showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test results. His research substantiated the fact that audio-visual modalities (captioned videos) helped students comprehend better than those without captions.    Multimedia Modalities, Dr. Almosa said, helped students overcome comprehension difficulties usually encountered. The accompanying transcripts, he added, could improve learners’ linguistic competence as well, which eventually helped with overall comprehension.   The presentation was very informative and overall a success.  Date: 4/4/2018 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique  Multimedia Source: Mohammad Sherajul Islam

Dr. Abdulrahman Abdullah Almosa delivered a presentation on April 03, 2018, at a seminar organized by Faculty of Languages and Translation, King Khalid University. His presentation was based on his current Ph.D. thesis. In the presentation titled Multimedia Assisted Language Learning (MMALL) Facilitating L2 Listening Comprehension in an EFL Classroom, he highlighted the difficulties learners experience in listening comprehension and how MMALL could help to overcome them.  Dr. Almosa stated that the primary goal of his study was to investigate the effect of the use of Multimedia Assisted Learning Modalities in facilitating listening comprehension in the context of Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Saudi Arabia. Modalities, he explained, are various forms of technology that creates a multimedia environment (e.g., video displaying transcripts). The study that he made on Saudi Elementary students showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test results. His research substantiated the fact that audio-visual modalities (captioned videos) helped students comprehend better than those without captions.    Multimedia Modalities, Dr. Almosa said, helped students overcome comprehension difficulties usually encountered. The accompanying transcripts, he added, could improve learners’ linguistic competence as well, which eventually helped with overall comprehension.   The presentation was very informative and overall a success.  Date: 4/4/2018 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique  Multimedia Source: Mohammad Sherajul Islam

On January 31, 2018, the Language Research Center held a seminar at the Al-Samer Campus that included a presentation by Dr. Sara Huseynova titled, "On North American ESL/EFL Teaching Principles and on PPP, ESA, TTT, TBL as the ELL Instruction Methods." Her presentation was primarily based on the high impact teaching strategies predominantly in use. She began her presentation by explaining the key principles of ELL instruction in North America and Europe.  She highlighted the fact that teenage learners are more interested in interaction and group work than in lectures which make them passive. She also emphasized that learning becomes meaningful and social when it is related to students’ everyday life. While talking about teaching methods, she mentioned Communicative Language Teaching as one of the most important teaching principles. Throughout her presentation, she emphasized the importance of student-centered teaching that engages students and creates opportunities for meaningful learning.  Dr. Huseynova also spoke in detail on four ELL teaching approaches: Presentation-Practice-Production (PPP), Engage-Study-Activate (ESA), Test-Teach-Test (TTT) and Task-based Learning (TBL).  She explained which approach might suit the different levels of students and several factors that need to be taken into consideration.  It is worth mentioning that Dr. Sara Huseynova has a TEFL degree from Moscow State Linguistics University, accredited in Canada, and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Linguistics earned at the same University and also accredited at the University of Toronto, Canada. Before coming to the KSA, she obtained years of professional experience in teacher training and teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP).  The presentation was very interactive and overall a great success.   Date: 2/1/2018 Source: MD Adil

On January 31, 2018, the Language Research Center held a seminar at the Al-Samer Campus that included a presentation by Dr. Sara Huseynova titled, "On North American ESL/EFL Teaching Principles and on PPP, ESA, TTT, TBL as the ELL Instruction Methods." Her presentation was primarily based on the high impact teaching strategies predominantly in use. She began her presentation by explaining the key principles of ELL instruction in North America and Europe.  She highlighted the fact that teenage learners are more interested in interaction and group work than in lectures which make them passive. She also emphasized that learning becomes meaningful and social when it is related to students’ everyday life. While talking about teaching methods, she mentioned Communicative Language Teaching as one of the most important teaching principles. Throughout her presentation, she emphasized the importance of student-centered teaching that engages students and creates opportunities for meaningful learning.  Dr. Huseynova also spoke in detail on four ELL teaching approaches: Presentation-Practice-Production (PPP), Engage-Study-Activate (ESA), Test-Teach-Test (TTT) and Task-based Learning (TBL).  She explained which approach might suit the different levels of students and several factors that need to be taken into consideration.  It is worth mentioning that Dr. Sara Huseynova has a TEFL degree from Moscow State Linguistics University, accredited in Canada, and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Linguistics earned at the same University and also accredited at the University of Toronto, Canada. Before coming to the KSA, she obtained years of professional experience in teacher training and teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP).  The presentation was very interactive and overall a great success.   Date: 2/1/2018 Source: MD Adil