Towards Plurilingualism: The Future of Foreign Languages in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This paper discusses the phenomenon of plurilingualism that

Language Fluency for Bilingual Students: The Saudi Context

“…As with any other area of learning, acquiring a second language can contribute to the holistic attainment of an individual's goals in life. It has also been largely influenced by globalization and interrelated factors that have contributed to the sharing of different cultures and an appreciation for new languages for the purpose of better communication (Alnofaie, 2017). In Saudi Arabia, a number of social and economic factors continue to influence bilingualism, including the growing number of expatriates in the country, its place in the Group of Twenty (G20), and professional and academic development (Alnofaie, 2017).…”

“…It has also been largely influenced by globalization and interrelated factors that have contributed to the sharing of different cultures and an appreciation for new languages for the purpose of better communication (Alnofaie, 2017). In Saudi Arabia, a number of social and economic factors continue to influence bilingualism, including the growing number of expatriates in the country, its place in the Group of Twenty (G20), and professional and academic development (Alnofaie, 2017). However, the rising number of students pursuing their education abroad and scholarships seems to be the main contributing factor among students (Alnofaie, 2017;Almarshedi, 2021).…”

“…In Saudi Arabia, a number of social and economic factors continue to influence bilingualism, including the growing number of expatriates in the country, its place in the Group of Twenty (G20), and professional and academic development (Alnofaie, 2017). However, the rising number of students pursuing their education abroad and scholarships seems to be the main contributing factor among students (Alnofaie, 2017;Almarshedi, 2021). Due to significant investment in foreign education through hefty scholarships, there has been a great need to learn the English language for communication (Almarshedi, 2021).…”

“…Although there are non-Arab communities in Saudi Arabia who have maintained their mother tongues and also speak Arabic, English remains the most common second language in the country (Alnofaie, 2017). As a result, the majority of bilingual students in the country speak Arabic and English.…”