English teachers attended orientation programs at the start of this academic year, and they were introduced to the latest teaching methodologies and technologies in the field of language. The Oxford University Press has conducted the orientation programs and exchanged views with Saudi teachers on the educational concerns and needs of our students. The press will publish a special version of a new series of books, called “Happy Street,” specifically for Saudi Arabia.
I hope this initiative will put an end to the controversy of teaching English in Saudi schools. This cultural chauvinism against the language in many ways has isolated both our students and our nation from the highly competitive global arena. For our students, the consequence is a substandard education; for our nation, the consequence is diminished economic potential.
English is the window to the world of knowledge, technology and scientific advancement, not to mention business and international trade. Introducing English in our schools at an early age will allow our students to master the language and learn to better understand the latest technological and scientific developments in our world today. It is truly encouraging to see such initiatives that recognize the value of seeking the cooperation of Western and international expertise. We are finally on the right track reaching out to the more experienced and more advanced nations in order to build a better future for our youth.