Saudi Arabia has realized the potentials of the English language as a means of global communication. Abu Huthaifa Umar Yusuf Parker, an American Muslim English language teacher, who teaches Saudi students in a university in Taif, thinks that young Saudis are not motivated enough to learn, and that studies outside the classroom are almost ‘non-existent'. “There are a few good students, but on the whole, the students are not very motivated to learn. Moreover, when it comes to studies outside the classroom, it is almost non-existent. I find that most of the students do not know how to study on their own. You have to tell them exactly what the exam paper is going to be like,” said Parker. He said that “students do not want to learn English and the school administrators do not consider English important enough,” adding that “this poses a challenge for them”. There is a high demand for English language tuition in Saudi Arabia. One reason for this is the fact that job applicants who know English have an edge over those who don't. Furthermore, Saudis who are employed are unable to gain promotions if they do not possess considerable English language skills. Also, studying English is a part of the preparations of most Saudis who go abroad to pursue higher studies in universities in English-speaking countries. “Many of them enroll with the thought of a job after graduating. This is not a major thing because every student goes to school with the hope of getting a job after he finishes his studies. Good students, who, in turn, will be beneficial to their students when they become teachers, are in a minority,” said Parker, adding that most students complain about the educational system itself. Commenting on the differences between American English and British English, Parker said that there is not much difference between the two except with regards to the accent. “English is English. As long as you can communicate, it does not matter who you learn it from,” he said. Parker lives in Taif with four other family members - his wife and children. He says he is disappointed by the level of professionalism (or the lack of it) shown by the people in the city. “In the West, things are very orderly and business-like. In Taif, most people are very nonchalant about their businesses. It seems like they are doing you a favor by just doing the job they are paid for. They don't work as if they are serving the public,” he said. Parker said that he and his family are faced with many cultural differences. “The biggest cultural difference is the tribalism found here. You don't really get that in the US,” he said, adding that the feeling of being an outsider is always ‘near'. When asked if he and his family were accustomed to life in the Kingdom, he said: “We have lived a completely different life. I think my children are okay with living here. However, my wife would still prefer to live in the US as she feels that people here are not very friendly. We spend most of our time together,” he added. Life in the Kingdom also has a silver lining for Parker and his family. “The thing we like most here is that we are close to the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madina. The fact that our children will have a chance to learn the Qur'an and the language of the Prophet (peace be upon him) makes everything else acceptable. Moreover, the Kingdom is a safe place to live. Pros and cons are found everywhere and Saudi Arabia is no exception. To get an opportunity to live here is a blessing from Allah,” said Parker.
