Language Research Center

The 13th Annual Research Day, under the supervision of Dr. Ismail Al-Refaai, Director of the Language Research Center, was held on April 04, 2018 at King Khalid University. The program commenced with a recitation of the Qur'an and a welcome speech by Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, Dean for the Faculty of Languages and Translation. In his opening remarks, he encouraged the faculty members to take part in academic events and at the same time emphasized its importance. He highly appreciated the faculty members who contributed their research work for the event and recognized their hard work. He also conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the organizing committee who had worked behind the scene. The theme of the first and second session was English Language Teaching and Learning. The first speaker of the first session was Dr. Munassir Alhamami whose presentation was titled Beliefs Enable Learners to Succeed in Language Learning Environments. His research substantiated that language educators should investigate language learning from students’ perspectives in order to understand learners’ beliefs. This was followed by Dr. Dawood Mahdi’s presentation titled Improving Speaking Skills through Interactive Multimedia Environments which was based on the impact of multimedia technology on learning instruction development. He concluded that a lack of speaking skills among students correlates with a poor speaking learning process. Dr. Ismail Al-Refaai, who appeared third, spoke on the topic of Exploring the Relationship between General Self-confidence and Test-taking Strategies among EFL Graduate Students which emphasized that test-taking strategies are teachable and this can enhance learners’ self-confidence. Dr. Najmus Sarifa’s topic was Techniques for Teaching Professional Vocabulary, with Special Reference to Vocabulary Used in the Media. Her comparative research project concluded that vocabulary teaching and learning could be labeled as ephemeral and therefore for proper learning, vocabulary must be contextualized. The last speakers Ms. Sanjida and Tanzina Halim’s presentation was tilted Application of Elicitation in the Language Classroom which emphasized that elicitation is the primary technique that should be used regularly in class to enhance learner-involvement. The second session started with Dr. Abdul Wahid Al Zumor’s presentation titled The Implications of the Test Results for Action Research: A Case Study from the English Program at KKU which emphasized the importance of immediate investigation into the statistical differences in test results for the male and female campuses for accreditation. Dr. Sara Huseynova appeared second with her presentation titled On the Application of High-impact Communicative North American ELL Teaching Methodologies. She, while highlighting various approaches associated with the Communicative Language Teaching, emphasized the effectiveness of Communicative Language Teaching. Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Asmari and Mr. Shamsur Rabb Khan’s paper was titled Connecting Saudi English Language Learners to the Outside World. Mr. Khan highlighted the significance of enhancing Saudi Learner exposure to outside world for better learning. Ms. Sufia Sultana, on the other hand, spoke on the topic of Humor: A tool to Enhance EFL Learning which concluded that humor in the language classroom increases the strength of human connections that helps with successful learning. The fifth presenter, Ms. Tanzin Ara Ashraf’s presentation, was titled Strategies to Overcome Speaking Anxiety among Saudi EFL Learners which explored the leading causes of speaking anxiety among the target group and concluded that some remedial measures must be taken. The last speaker Mr. Mazharul Islam, in his presentation titled Interlanguage: A Case Study of a Korean Learner, shared his research outcomes that focused on the appearance of Interlanguage during second language acquisition. The theme of the third session was Translation and Literature. The first presentation was by Ms. Amal M. Metwally, which was titled An Investigation of the Success of Machine-Aided Translation. Her study explored the history of Machine Translation (MT) and the breakthroughs achieved in the field of translation and concluded that MT is a sophisticated technology the success of which can only be achieved by the harmonious involvement of both man and machine. Dr. Eyhab Bader Eddin, who appeared second, spoke on the topic of Different Linguistic Functional Behaviors of the Conjunction هل Bring about Translation Deviations. His study pinpointed an area which had been neglected by most translators of the Qur'an and concluded that they had an inadequate understanding of the function of the conjunction his research was based on. Dr. Hasan Jaashan’s presentation was titled Stylistic Study of Onomatopoeia in Arabic Poetry. His study aimed at making a stylistic study of onomatopoeia to ascertain how sound and meaning are interconnected in Arabic Poetry and concluded that the combination of high-ranking phonemes is an effective way to consider the leading role of sounds in understanding the meaning of a poem. The fourth speaker, Ms. Irin Sultana, in her presentation titled Treatment of Marxism and the American Depression in Clifford Odets’ Waiting for Lefty, highlighted the fact that the working classes of the world would feel an urge to rise up in order to systematically fight for a better living, and she concluded that Waiting for Lefty showed the ways common people can fight against repression. The next presenter Dr. Sayed Bilal Kadiri highlighted the way Islam is represented in a TV show in his presentation titled The Representation of Islam and Muslims in a British Television Program. He concluded that Citizen Khan reinforced negative stereotyping of Muslims. Ms. Qudsia Zaini, the last presenter, spoke on the topic of Shakespeare and the Art of Living in the Modern Times, where she emphasized that studying Shakespeare could help in building the imagination and developing cultural awareness among learners and concluded that understanding and appreciating Shakespeare is essential for contemporary students. Besides oral presentations, there were posters as well. Mr. Ali Albashir Alhaj, Ms. Alvina Yousaf, Mr. Salahud Din Abdul Rab, Ms. Batoul Abdullah Ismail, Dr. Haseeb Ahmed, Dr. Rizwana Wahid, Dr. Oveesa and Farooq, Ms. Rukhshinda Jabeen, Dr. Wafa Saud, Ms. Samar Y. Alnmer and Mr. Mohammad Siraj made posters titled Cultural and Lexical Problems Encountered in Translating some Selected Qur'anic Euphemisms into English: A Comparative Conceptual and Stylistic Study, Enhancing Critical Reading of EFL Learners by Using the SRL (Self-Regulated Learning) Approach, Investigating the Role Played by Reading Speed in Increasing the Reading Comprehension of English Major Students of King Khalid University, Arabic and Western Lexicography - a Comparative Historical Study, Juxtaposing Philosophies: W.B. Yeats and Islam, The Influence of Derivational and Inflectional Morphology on the Writing of EFL Undergraduate Students, Literature in EFL Classroom: An Analytical Study, Collocation Error Analysis of EFL Learners, Perspectives on the Impact of Arabicisation on Identity Preservation: Views of Arab Students at the Postgraduate Level and Efl Learners’ Engagement in an Online Environment Enhances the Learning Outcomes in King Khalid University Respectively. The 13th Annual Research Day was a great success, and it gave the participants an opportunity to discuss and share their thoughts. Date: 4/7/2018 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique  Multimedia Source: Sayed Karim

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

At the seminar held on February 14, 2018, organized by Language Research Center, at the Faculty of Languages and Translation, Dr. Haseeb Ahmed delivered a presentation titled Environmental Ethics: An Exploration of Islamic Literature. His presentation was primarily centered on key Islamic principles of relevance to environmental ethics and protection. The presentation commenced with significant environmental issues related to pollution and contamination. In this regard, he focused on ecological chasms created by the hazardous emission of excessive greenhouse gases. Among the effects he showed, global warming is worth mentioning. Owing to global warming, the sea level is continuously increasing, and consequently, several islands may be uninhabitable within decades. He discussed well-known international summits and conferences (e.g., Kyoto Protocol 1997, Marrakesh Accords 2001) that were held to address the alarming changes in the environment.  The second half of his presentation emphasized the Islamic literature perspectives on environmental protection. The implication was that, if people adhered to the Islamic beliefs on environmental awareness and protection of natural resources from the very beginning, we would not have faced such catastrophes. While focusing on Islamic literature, he quoted some verses from the Holy Qur’an that emphasize man’s role as a trustee of nature. He also quoted the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who advised us not to spoil nature and pre-eminent scholars who wrote about the environment and their juristic principles.  The presentation was very informative, and it successfully encouraged the participants to rethink our raison d’etre in an effort to save the environment. Date: 2/15/2018 Source: MD Adil

At the seminar held on February 14, 2018, organized by Language Research Center, at the Faculty of Languages and Translation, Dr. Haseeb Ahmed delivered a presentation titled Environmental Ethics: An Exploration of Islamic Literature. His presentation was primarily centered on key Islamic principles of relevance to environmental ethics and protection. The presentation commenced with significant environmental issues related to pollution and contamination. In this regard, he focused on ecological chasms created by the hazardous emission of excessive greenhouse gases. Among the effects he showed, global warming is worth mentioning. Owing to global warming, the sea level is continuously increasing, and consequently, several islands may be uninhabitable within decades. He discussed well-known international summits and conferences (e.g., Kyoto Protocol 1997, Marrakesh Accords 2001) that were held to address the alarming changes in the environment.  The second half of his presentation emphasized the Islamic literature perspectives on environmental protection. The implication was that, if people adhered to the Islamic beliefs on environmental awareness and protection of natural resources from the very beginning, we would not have faced such catastrophes. While focusing on Islamic literature, he quoted some verses from the Holy Qur’an that emphasize man’s role as a trustee of nature. He also quoted the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who advised us not to spoil nature and pre-eminent scholars who wrote about the environment and their juristic principles.  The presentation was very informative, and it successfully encouraged the participants to rethink our raison d’etre in an effort to save the environment. Date: 2/15/2018 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

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

The presenters of the fortnightly seminars in the academic year of 1437-38 were awarded certificates of appreciation at the Certificate Award Ceremony held on October 25, 2017, which was arranged by the Language Research Center of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, King Khalid University. The occasion was graced with the presence of Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, Dean of Faculty of Languages and Translation. Certificates were awarded to Mr. Mohsin Khan for his presentation titled Incorporating Blackboard in EFL Teaching, Mr. Nabeel Ali Sayed whose presentation topic was Arabic is in English, Mr. Mahmudul Haque for his presentation titled Learner Autonomy and Metacognition in Language Learning,  Dr. Eyhab Bader Eddin for his presentations titled Translation of Death as Clad in Euphemism and Non-lexical Equivalence in Translation, Dr. Abdul Wahed Zumor for the presentation titled A metacognitive and Social Strategy to Improve Content Lecture Comprehension, Mr. Erich Beer for his presentation titled From the Top of a Pole One Hundred Feet High, How Do You Step Forward? Questions, Intuitions and Pointers Relating to Reading Comprehension, Prof. Abdullah Hady Al Kahtany who shared his valuable Experience in Teaching, Prof. Habib Abdessalem and Mr. Hassan Costello whose presentation was titled Introductions in Locally Published Research Articles in Linguistics: Towards A Syntagmatics of Moves, Dr. Basim Kanan for the presentation titled The Effect of Expansion of Vision Span on Reading Speed: A Case Study of EFL Major Students at KKU, Dr. Sheila Simpkins who talked about Bloom’s Taxonomy, Dr. Haseeb Ahmed for his presentation titled What is Literature? Why Should We Study It?, Mr. Abdullah Omar for his presentation titled Awareness and Attitudes of Saudi Students toward World Englishes, Mr. Faruquzzaman Akan whose spoke about the topic of Barriers to Language Development, and Dr. Abdelhamid Bessaid who presented Rethinking the Main Objectives of Teaching English. Date: 10/25/2017 Source: MD Adil Multimedia Contribution: MD Sirajul Islam

The presenters of the fortnightly seminars in the academic year of 1437-38 were awarded certificates of appreciation at the Certificate Award Ceremony held on October 25, 2017, which was arranged by the Language Research Center of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, King Khalid University. The occasion was graced with the presence of Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, Dean of Faculty of Languages and Translation. Certificates were awarded to Mr. Mohsin Khan for his presentation titled Incorporating Blackboard in EFL Teaching, Mr. Nabeel Ali Sayed whose presentation topic was Arabic is in English, Mr. Mahmudul Haque for his presentation titled Learner Autonomy and Metacognition in Language Learning,  Dr. Eyhab Bader Eddin for his presentations titled Translation of Death as Clad in Euphemism and Non-lexical Equivalence in Translation, Dr. Abdul Wahed Zumor for the presentation titled A metacognitive and Social Strategy to Improve Content Lecture Comprehension, Mr. Erich Beer for his presentation titled From the Top of a Pole One Hundred Feet High, How Do You Step Forward? Questions, Intuitions and Pointers Relating to Reading Comprehension, Prof. Abdullah Hady Al Kahtany who shared his valuable Experience in Teaching, Prof. Habib Abdessalem and Mr. Hassan Costello whose presentation was titled Introductions in Locally Published Research Articles in Linguistics: Towards A Syntagmatics of Moves, Dr. Basim Kanan for the presentation titled The Effect of Expansion of Vision Span on Reading Speed: A Case Study of EFL Major Students at KKU, Dr. Sheila Simpkins who talked about Bloom’s Taxonomy, Dr. Haseeb Ahmed for his presentation titled What is Literature? Why Should We Study It?, Mr. Abdullah Omar for his presentation titled Awareness and Attitudes of Saudi Students toward World Englishes, Mr. Faruquzzaman Akan whose spoke about the topic of Barriers to Language Development, and Dr. Abdelhamid Bessaid who presented Rethinking the Main Objectives of Teaching English. Date: 10/25/2017 Source: MD Adil Multimedia Contribution: MD Sirajul Islam

Nadia Mohammed Aloraij, an MA student, delivered a presentation titled The Hegemony of English in the Linguistic Landscape of Abha at a seminar organized by the Language Research Center of King Khalid University held on October 04, 2017. The seminar took place at the King Abdullah Road campus. In her presentation, she focused on how English has influenced Arabic in Abha in various sectors. The primary objectives of her study were to examine the use of English side-by-side with Arabic and to investigate social and psychological attitudes towards the spread of English in commercial signs and identify the policy of using English on commercial signs in the KSA. Nadia, while talking about the significance of her study, mentioned her concerns about the influence of English that severely affects the mother tongue. For her research method, she chose shop signs on three main streets of Abha. After her quantitative analysis, she concluded that Arabic is still the predominant language.     The seminar was very interactive, engaging and overall successful. It is worth noting that Graigor campus also participated in the seminar through video conferencing. Date: 10-4-2017 Source: MD Adil Multimedia Contribution: MD Sirajul Islam