Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted LEARNING ENGLISH IN THE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING CORPORATION (TVTC) IN SAUDI ARABIA: PERSPECTIVES OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-12-12) Daqdaqi, Rashed Ahmed; Dietrich, SarahThis study examines the perspectives of 35 first year students enrolled in the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In light of the development strategy of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which places significant emphasis on the acquisition of foreign languages to facilitate economic diversification and growth, this research examined the perspectives and drives of students in relation to the learning of English. The study found that the participants mostly showed positive and hopeful attitudes when it came to learning English. This study offers significant contributions to the understanding of the intricate dynamics involved in the process of learning the English language among students from Saudi Arabia. It illuminates the various obstacles and possibilities that arise as they strive to achieve proficiency in the language. The research emphasizes the necessity of adopting an innovative methodology for teaching English in vocational and technical education institutions in Saudi Arabia. This approach should aim to tackle motivational challenges and ensure that language acquisition is in line with the changing demands of the Saudi economy and society.50 0Item Restricted Social and Emotional Strategies: The Perspectives of High School Gifted Students And AIG Directors(ProQuest, 2023-11-09) Alhibs, Mashael; Gilson, CindyLimited studies address high school gifted students' social and emotional needs (Knudsen, 2018; Kregel, 2015). Additionally, there is a lack of research regarding high school gifted students' and Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) directors' perspectives on the social and emotional strategies implemented locally within their school districts (Clinkenbeard, 2012; Kitsantas et al., 2017). Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was (a) to discover the services school districts proposed to implement to meet the social and emotional needs of high school gifted students and (b) to explore high school gifted students’ and AIG directors’ perspectives about these services. Using purposeful sampling, this qualitative research included five participants from two school districts. The data collection methods implemented during this study were compiling school documents (i.e., 2022–2025 Local AIG Plans) and conducting five separate interviews. I used document analysis to analyze data from the Local AIG Plans and thematic analysis to analyze data from the interviews. Results from the document analysis yielded three themes: program-level and curricula strategies, resources and support, and collaboration and counseling strategies. Results from the thematic analysis of interviews yielded three themes on how schools implement social and emotional services from the participants' perspective: social and emotional services, interaction, and gathering and sharing information. Further, the thematic analysis of participants' in-depth perspectives about these services yielded three themes: satisfaction and awareness, counseling, and limitations and improvements.18 0Item Restricted Sociolinguistics of Saudi Vision 2030: Paradigm Shift Through English F English Faculty’s Perspectiv erspectives of T es of Translanguaging at a Saudi anslanguaging at a Saudi University.(UNM, 2023-08-01) Masrahi, Naif Ali Y; Trentman, EmmaMany educational systems around the world insist on applying an English Only Policy (EOP) when teaching the English language at universities without addressing their contextual needs. In Saudi Arabia, this problem leads to reduced satisfaction among faculty regarding students’ English level (Alharbi & Alqefari, 2022; Alkhairy, 2013; Alqahtani, 2020; Alsaawi, 2019; Alshammari, 2022; Altale & Alta’ani, 2019; Alzahrani, 2019; Elyas & Picard, 2010). However, the new educational transformation promised by Saudi Vision 2030 (2016) supports the Arabic language as a mother tongue for Saudis, English as an important language, and the teaching of critical thinking to respond to current global economic challenges. This creates a space for adopting translanguaging practices in English language classrooms by helping learners access their linguistic repertoire to understand, think, communicate, and learn the language (García, 2009). Recent studies at Saudi universities on faculty perspectives on translanguaging are limited in terms of context, participants, and vii methodology (Alahdal, 2020a; Alharbi & Alqefari, 2022; Alqahtani, 2022; Altale & Alqahtani, 2020; Alzahrani, 2019). Therefore, this qualitative case research examined the perspectives of six Saudi and international faculty members regarding translanguaging at a Saudi university. It answered the question: What are the perspectives of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) faculty at a Saudi university toward translanguaging, and why? Following the theoretical framework of sociocultural and translanguaging theories (Vygotsky, 1978; García & Li Wei, 2014), the study utilized interviews, focus group discussions, and field notes to collect the data. The thematic analysis (Stake, 1995) showed a positive position among faculty members regarding translanguaging. They called on decision-makers to empower them to participate in making pedagogic decisions according to students’ needs. Importantly, translanguaging could support the educational transformation of Saudi Vision 2030 through its pedagogic practices and its ability to support learners’ critical thinking. Moreover, faculty reported low awareness of translanguaging, which would require increasing their awareness of its systematic adoption. The study concludes with implications and suggestions for further research and teaching policy modifications to include translanguaging when teaching English in the classroom.35 0