View in EDS

Students' Perceptions of English as a Medium of Instruction in Saudi Universities with Respect to Their Intellectual and Linguistic Abilities

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Students' Perceptions of English as a Medium of Instruction in Saudi Universities with Respect to Their Intellectual and Linguistic Abilities
Language: English
Authors: Wafa Jeza Alotaibi
Source: Journal of Education and Learning. 2026 15(1):342-352.
Availability: Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1595 Sixteenth Ave Suite 301, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3N9 Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: jel@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jel
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Language of Instruction, College Students, Student Attitudes, Language Proficiency, Comprehension, Language Skills, Code Switching (Language), Arabic, Foreign Countries, Self Esteem, Language Usage, Cognitive Processes, Native Language
Geographic Terms: Saudi Arabia
ISSN: 1927-5250
1927-5269
Abstract: English is the primary medium of instruction (EMI) in Saudi universities, especially in science and technical disciplines, where English language proficiency is essential. However, students hold mixed perceptions regarding the use of EMI, with their intellectual and linguistic capabilities playing a significant role. This study surveyed 108 students from four Saudi universities to explore their views on EMI and its effect on their intellectual and linguistic abilities. Results showed that even though 68% of students prefer English as the medium of instruction, 32% face comprehension difficulties, and 58% need to devote additional time due to language barriers. Moreover, 74% reported noticeable improvements in their linguistic abilities. The study also demonstrates challenges such as the necessity for instructors to code-switch between Arabic and English. It suggests short-term strategies such as adopting translanguaging, as well as long-term solutions. A balanced instructional approach is recommended while remedial measures are implemented to enhance English language proficiency.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1498915
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1498915
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1498915
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Students' Perceptions of English as a Medium of Instruction in Saudi Universities with Respect to Their Intellectual and Linguistic Abilities
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wafa+Jeza+Alotaibi%22">Wafa Jeza Alotaibi</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Education+and+Learning%22"><i>Journal of Education and Learning</i></searchLink>. 2026 15(1):342-352.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1595 Sixteenth Ave Suite 301, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3N9 Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: jel@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jel
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 11
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+of+Instruction%22">Language of Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Proficiency%22">Language Proficiency</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Comprehension%22">Comprehension</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Skills%22">Language Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Code+Switching+%28Language%29%22">Code Switching (Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Arabic%22">Arabic</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Esteem%22">Self Esteem</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Usage%22">Language Usage</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+Processes%22">Cognitive Processes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Native+Language%22">Native Language</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Saudi+Arabia%22">Saudi Arabia</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1927-5250<br />1927-5269
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: English is the primary medium of instruction (EMI) in Saudi universities, especially in science and technical disciplines, where English language proficiency is essential. However, students hold mixed perceptions regarding the use of EMI, with their intellectual and linguistic capabilities playing a significant role. This study surveyed 108 students from four Saudi universities to explore their views on EMI and its effect on their intellectual and linguistic abilities. Results showed that even though 68% of students prefer English as the medium of instruction, 32% face comprehension difficulties, and 58% need to devote additional time due to language barriers. Moreover, 74% reported noticeable improvements in their linguistic abilities. The study also demonstrates challenges such as the necessity for instructors to code-switch between Arabic and English. It suggests short-term strategies such as adopting translanguaging, as well as long-term solutions. A balanced instructional approach is recommended while remedial measures are implemented to enhance English language proficiency.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1498915
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1498915
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 11
        StartPage: 342
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language of Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Proficiency
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Comprehension
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Code Switching (Language)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Arabic
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Esteem
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Usage
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Processes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Native Language
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Saudi Arabia
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Students' Perceptions of English as a Medium of Instruction in Saudi Universities with Respect to Their Intellectual and Linguistic Abilities
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Wafa Jeza Alotaibi
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1927-5250
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1927-5269
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 15
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Education and Learning
              Type: main
ResultId 1