Speaking in a foreign language is considered to be a challenging aspect of language learning that demands competence and mastery in learning any foreign language. Vocabulary learning verifies to play an important role in oral communication. However, literature lacks the studies where both English as a foreign language (EFL) students and teachers' views are obtained to provide analyses of the situations in which learners are not showing desired results in speaking. The current study explores the problems of lack of vocabulary that Saudi EFL students face with special focus on their speaking proficiency. It aims to seek EFL teachers' opinions on the extent to which lack of vocabulary has influence on EFL students' performance in listening, and conversation classes, and in expressing their ideas and feelings, and especially in speaking skill. A questionnaire was used for the responses from the students and an interview for the teachers to reveal their perceptions about the vocabulary hindrance in speaking skills. 20 EFL instructors and teachers of Preparatory Year Program (PYP) section of a public university and 110 EFL students participated in this study. The analysis of the data showed that both teachers and learners indicated that lack of vocabulary is one of the major factors in students' inability to speaking English. In the current study, among many other suggestions it is proposed that the inclusion of mobile assisted language learning could be useful way of developing vocabulary for spoken proficiency of Saudi EFL learners.

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Technology integration has a great impact on learners’ learning styles and everyday life, where various encouraging responses come across in language learning institutions through the use of mobile technology. WhatsApp application instantly transfers information in different modes. At the present time it can be effectively used as a platform to engage learners with conventional classroom setting. The present study is an attempt to investigate learners’ attitudes towards WhatsApp application and their intention for future use. 32 EFL learners were exposed to learn vocabulary by the use of WhatsApp application for a period of 6 weeks. Data were collected by using questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The result exhibited higher levels (M= 4.4 and Mode 4.37) of the mean scores of the learners’ perception and (M= 4.3) on WhatsApp Usage attitudes.   The finding of the study indicated that learners expressed positive attitudes in using WhatsApp applications for vocabulary development. The present study also suggests that the integration of WhatsApp should be fortified to learners, instructors and institutions in developing other language learning process.

<p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>T</strong>he existing technological expansion has transformed pervasive revolutions in modern civilization, with continuing innovation of services and products. Nowadays people are having different channels of communication.  Currently, mobile learning (M-learning) is being used extensively in teaching and learning foreign languages which further widens the mobility of learners. The usage of mobile instruction can lead learners towards a real interruption to learn effectively when used inappositely. The current study is an attempt to explore the potential usage of M-Learning in English for specific purpose (ESP) classes. For this intention smartphone were used in the ESP context for teaching Business English at the College of Business Administration at a public sector university in Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was distributed to 21 participants of the present study after a 5-week exposure to M-learning activities in the formal classroom. The findings revealed that ESP learners acknowledge M-learning as a prompt source of feedback in ESP. The results of this study also indicate that incorporation of M-learning in ESP learning with conventional classroom can support learners to develop their learning proficiency. Moreover, learners showed significantly positive attitude in mobile instruction in a formal classroom.</p>

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In recent years, alternative assessments have progressively gained attention in L2 speaking. An area which has received significant attention in the ESL literature has been the implementation of self-assessment strategy. The purpose of the present study is to find undergraduates' perceptions pertaining to the use of self-assessment on technical oral presentations. In order to achieve this aim, the study conducted 113 engineering undergraduates from the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Earth Resources to be involved in this research. The study delved into the participants' perceptions on self-assessment in delivering technical oral presentations. A questionnaire which had been adapted from previous studies was found to be reliable and was distributed to the participants. The results of the study revealed that the engineering undergraduates' perceptions on self-assessment were positive. According to the findings of the study, it can be concluded that implementing self-assessment technique among Malaysian undergraduates can be helpful in overcoming some of their oral presentation difficulties. Hence, the results of the study have clear implications on teaching and learning. Educators can implement self-assessment technique as an autonomous learning opportunity to alleviate their students' oral presentation apprehension. The strategy can polish the oral presentation skills of individuals in both academic and professional spheres.

Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) has opened new opportunities for language instructors to develop their use of technology and implement new teaching practices focused on learners. The increased use of technology in language learning means instructors can play a key role in motivating learners by integrating readily available technologies for language learning development into their teaching practices. The focus of this present investigation is to explore the attitudes of Saudi instructors teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) regarding the implementation of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). The target population for this study was Saudi EFL instructors who are currently teaching English in Saudi Arabia. The research methods for the study included a questionnaire, as well as in-depth interviews that were conducted to explore the attitudes of EFL instructors. The results of the survey questionnaire and interviews revealed moderately positive attitudes among participants regarding the use of mobile phones for language learning and teaching activities. The findings also indicate the existence of some challenges that could prove to be a significant hurdle for mobile phone integration in EFL learning and teaching in Saudi Arabia. Most of the instructors reported that they do not use mobile phones or MALL activities in their EFL classes. The results also showed that EFL teachers do not have the required skills to use/develop MALL activities. This study concludes by offering recommendations and suggestions for how to implement MALL and remove potential barriers to MALL implementation in EFL instruction. Keywords: EFL, MALL, EFL Instructors’ attitudes towards MALL, Challenges for MALL

It is difficult to describe cross-linguistic influence; however, it has been a contentious phenomenon for a long time. Whenever the speaker of a language becomes bilingual, the first language will subtly affect the new one, even if it is not used much. This is how first language influence begins since the majority of Arab English as a foreign language (EFL) learners suffer from this problem. This current research aims to study the negative influence of the native language (Arabic) on utilising the English passive voice. In this article, we aim to discover the levels of Arab EFL learners’ knowledge of the passive voice, as well as to examine the percentage of interlingual and intralingual errors. This study applies a quantitative method. Forty-six participants, who are Arab EFL learners studying at the Universiti Malaysia Pahang, engaged in the task of answering a grammar test. To conclude, the results show that Arab students have a high rate of L1 transfer on the English passive voice, and their levels of knowledge of passive voice are identified. The researchers recommend mixed methods for further research in order to provide a wider understanding about this issue.   Keywords: English as a foreign language, mother tongue, native language, target language.