EFL Teacher Preparation Programs in Saudi Arabia: An Evaluation Comparing Status with TESOL Standards

Abstract

This descriptive study aims to explore the efficiency of English language teacher preparation programs in Saudi Arabia according to TESOL standards. The study uses a 28 item (across five domains) questionnaire to collect data from one hundred and forty-one male and female EFL teachers in Saudi Arabia. Results show that the TESOL standards are included to a fair degree in the current preparation programs for EFL teachers in Saudi Arabia. The TESOL standards range from 75.8% to 83.5%, meaning that the failure of the preparation programs for TESOL standards ranged from 16.5% to 24.2%. The results also indicate statistically significant differences between the programs for preparing EFL teachers, attributable to the universities and colleges from which they graduate. Finally, the study makes some recommendations based on its results to raise English language teachers’ preparation programs in Saudi Arabia.