English Language Education Policy in Kuwait

Tryzna, Marta Maria; Sharoufi, Hussain Al

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46778-8_6

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The status of English as a lingua franca driven by the forces of globalization led to the emergence of higher educational institutions in the Arabian Gulf region, where Kuwait is located, that offer 'American-style' education (Tétreault, 2010). The programs offered by such institutions are delivered entirely in English as a medium of instruction (EMI), reflecting the global shift towards English-centric education (Karmani, 2010;Tryzna & Al Sharoufi, 2017). The 'English-Only' instructional policy is meant to better equip Arab students for the demands of the job market (Al-Rubai, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Re-thinking the Future of the English Preparatory Program in the Context of Higher Education in Kuwait

Wright

2024

SER

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This paper examines the complex role of English within the context of Kuwait's higher education. The role of English as a mediator between Kuwait and the Western world has catalyzed the rise of institutions offering 'American-style' education across the region, leading to the proliferation of courses delivered in English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI). Such institutions have adopted a monolingual policy with the intention of enhancing students' career opportunities through proficiency in English. At the same time, an 'English only' discourse seems to negatively affect local knowledge, language, and culture, leading to their marginalization. This study highlights the tensions between the global appeal of English for job market readiness and the local cultural and linguistic realities that are marginalized by an English-medium instructional policy. The article sets out to examine the dominant monolingual discourse at the English Preparatory Program (EPP) at one university in Kuwait, henceforth referred to as 'the university' . The study identifies several concerns, including the impact of globalization in promoting the misguided belief in English as the sole avenue to success, the cultural and linguistic disconnect in the curriculum, and the inadequacy of westernized teaching approaches. By drawing on theories of postmodernism and postcolonialism, this paper proposes strategies to disrupt colonial and neo-colonial frameworks within the EPP and suggests a more balanced approach to English language teaching that values both global and local perspectives.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Re-thinking the Future of the English Preparatory Program in the Context of Higher Education in Kuwait

Wright

2024

SER

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“…English as a Foreign Language is a heavily government sponsored academic field next only to Science and Technology (Tryzna & Al Sharoufi, 2017). It is one of the stated aims of the education policy to "Ensure alignment of educational outputs with labour market needs" under the Human Capability Development Program (Saudi Vision 2030, 2021 which "aims to prepare Saudi citizens for the job market and to be able to compete globally.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EdTech and the Saudi EFL learners: Bane or boon?

Aljafen

2021

lingcure

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Educational technology in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom has great potential to usher in innovativeness and authenticity in the language instruction and learning processes apart from facilitating collaboration, cooperation, and engagement. Consequently instruction can take newer pathways that ensure these qualities along with enhancing learners’ language skills. Data on the application of edtech tools were gathered from 60 undergraduate EFL learners and four teachers at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. The free version of Grammarly was found to be the one most accessed by the participants for grammar and language enrichment in academic writing assignments, followed by Writer, Scribens, and Ginger, in that order. Teachers, on the other hand, were apprehensive of learners’ dependence on apps and perceived these as hurdles in their learning as they got corrected and improved versions of their writing but without detailed explanations which encouraged a tendency in the learners to rely on these free apps.

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Privileged but Immobile: Citizenship and Career Paths for the Youth of Bicultural Kuwaiti–Filipino Families

Watanabe

2023

Gulf Studies

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English Language Education Policy in Kuwait

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Re-thinking the Future of the English Preparatory Program in the Context of Higher Education in Kuwait

Re-thinking the Future of the English Preparatory Program in the Context of Higher Education in Kuwait

EdTech and the Saudi EFL learners: Bane or boon?

Privileged but Immobile: Citizenship and Career Paths for the Youth of Bicultural Kuwaiti–Filipino Families

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