Arabic-L:PEDA:Conference on Teaching Foreign Languages and Cultural Globalization

[Dilworth Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Thu 12 May 2011
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dil at byu.edu>
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1) Subject: Conference on Teaching Foreign Languages and Cultural Globalization

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1)
Date: 12 May 2011
From: Abu Fahad <salehosaimi at yahoo.com>
Subject: Conference on Teaching Foreign Languages and Cultural Globalization

Conference on

Teaching Foreign Languages and Cultural Globalization

12-13 December 2011

It is impossible to deny or ignore the importance of learning foreign languages in this day and age, for the simple fact that a large number of individuals from different parts of the world are now devoting themselves to learning foreign languages. Despite the fact that English ranks first among world languages in terms of the number of its learners, there are other languages which people have enthusiastically embarked on learning. These languages include German, French, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Arabic.

It is for this reason that developed countries, such as the United States of America and Great Britain, have set about encouraging learning foreign languages in all stages of education including higher education. Indeed, politicians and businessmen argue that maintaining world competition at the political and economic level requires spreading bilingualism amongst members of the various countries. This argument clearly points to the fact that bilingualism has become one of the requirements of world competition.

A number of specialists, however, contend that learning foreign languages has several disadvantages which are bound to negatively affect the national and cultural identity and pave the way for the culture of the languages that are learned to have a dominant influence on the cultures to which learners belong.

The object of the this conference is to discuss issues relating to teaching foreign languages in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in the absence of a clear vision as to learning foreign languages in general; for selection of foreign languages to be learned and the determination of ways of learning and teaching them is still subject to haphazard contributions, improvised individual endeavors, efforts which lack a solid academic foundation, and arbitrary initiatives.

The conference also aims to discuss the relationship between foreign languages and national languages, the proper manner of bringing them into harmony so much so national identity is not affected in any way, reducing the effects of cultural globalization, and finding out about international experiences in teaching foreign languages.

We trust that this conference will contribute to laying down criteria for teaching foreign languages in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which are in accord with the national education policy and in total agreement with the Kingdom’s mission. We also trust that the outcomes of the conference will assist the official authorities responsible for teaching foreign languages in the Ministries of Education and Higher Education in drawing up appropriate language policies and plans which are bound to help develop teaching foreign languages and laying down professional and accurate language/academic criteria, particularly as to endorsing teaching foreign languages in schools and universities.

Conference Objectives

1.   To become familiar with the new trends in teaching foreign languages.

2.   To find outabout language policies and plans relating to teaching foreign languages which are implemented in some developed countries.

3.   To learn about the local, Arab and international experiences in teaching foreign languages.

4.   To study the relationship between teaching foreign languages and teaching Arabic and the proper manner of bringing them into harmony.

5.   To identify the challenges which face teaching foreign languages in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

6.   To envision the future of teaching foreign languages in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

7.   To study the effect of teaching foreign languages on the national and cultural identity.

8.   To determine the means by which to stand up to the challenges of cultural globalization which are generally posed as a result of teaching foreign languages.

Main Themes of the Conference

1.   Contemporary trends in teaching foreign languages (curricula, teaching methods and teacher training)

2.   Language policies relating to teaching foreign languages

3.   Local, Arab and international experiences in teaching foreign languages

4.   The relationship between teaching foreign languages and the national and cultural identity

5.   The role that teaching foreign languages plays in spreading the culture of civilizational dialogue.

Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University

Prince Salman Center for Applied Linguistics

www.imam-alc.com

info at imam-alc.com

Saudi Arabia


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