Teaching science subjects in Arabic: Arab university scientists’ perspectives

• Published in: Language learning in higher education (Berlin, Germany) Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 105 - 123
• Main Author: Alhamami, Munassir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 01.05.2015; De Gruyter Mouton; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Arabic as medium of instruction (AMI); College Faculty; Educational Policy; English (Second Language); English as medium of instruction (EMI); Foreign Countries; Language Dominance; Language of Instruction; language policy; Language Usage; Mixed Methods Research; mother tongue in higher education; Official Languages; Questionnaires; Science Education; Science Instruction; Science Teachers; Second Languages; Semitic Languages; Teacher Attitudes; Universities; Saudi Arabia
• ISSN: 2191-611X; 2191-6128
• DOI: 10.1515/cercles-2015-0006

This study investigates Arab university scientists’ views of the status of English and Arabic in the 21st century, and their attitudes towards using English and Arabic as media of instruction in science faculties in the Arab world. Twenty-seven science instructors at a Saudi University coming from different backgrounds responded to a written survey, and the data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings reveal that the majority of the science instructors preferred to use the students’ mother tongue (Arabic) to teach science, even though the current policy is to use English as the medium of instruction. The results indicate that, from the perspective of Arab scientists, English as medium of instruction in Saudi universities presents academic and social challenges in science education at university undergraduate level.