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On October 15, 2024, final-year undergraduate students assembled in the Seminar Hall of the College of Languages & Translation for an in-depth workshop on the Jahiziya Exam, a national standardized test whose results play a critical role in evaluating and sustaining academic programs in English language and linguistics. The session was organized by the Alumni Unit. The workshop was delivered by esteemed educator Dr. Merzin Al-Shahrani, the former Vice Rector of Quality for the university, aiming to clarify the exam's intricacies and provide students with effective preparation strategies.

The Jahiziya Exam, developed by the Saudi Education and Training Evaluation Commission, is a comprehensive standardized test designed to assess the readiness of final-year undergraduates across various disciplines. For English language and linguistics majors, it evaluates proficiency in English, theoretical linguistics, and applied linguistics.

"Think of the Jahiziya Exam as more than just a test," Dr. Al-Shahrani explained. "It's a benchmark ensuring our graduates meet national academic standards and are fully prepared to contribute meaningfully to the workforce."

The Bachelor of Arts in English program at the college aligns closely with the exam's requirements, integrating the knowledge and learning outcomes stipulated by national standards. The program ensures that students acquire the competencies necessary not just to pass the exam but to excel in their future careers.

Dr. Al-Shahrani outlined the core learning outcomes expected upon completing the degree:

• KLO1: Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of key terminology, concepts, and theories in linguistics.
• KLO2: Understand the interdisciplinary nature of applied linguistics and its application to real-world language-related issues.
• KLO3: Analyze the structure of the English language at all linguistic levels.
• KLO4: Explain how language is learned and taught using various theoretical frameworks and methods.
• KLO5: Analyze English language variation and change in relation to societal and cultural factors.
• KLO6: Communicate effectively in written and oral English for various purposes.
• KLO7: Critically evaluate language data to support or critique linguistic theories.
• KLO8: Use online resources and technology to ethically locate and utilize linguistic data.
• KLO9: Work autonomously and collaboratively to ethically collect and use linguistic data to solve language-related problems.

The Jahiziya Exam is divided into three main sections: Advanced English Language Skills, Theoretical Linguistics, and Applied Linguistics. Each section demands a deep understanding and practical application of linguistic knowledge.

In the Advanced English Language Skills section, students are assessed on advanced grammar, listening and speaking, and reading and writing skills.

• Advanced Grammar: Students must use correct grammatical structures in appropriate contexts, categorize words and phrases, correctly apply different tenses, utilize coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, and master complex structures like embedded clauses and emphasis techniques such as inversion and clefting.

• Advanced Listening and Speaking: Students should demonstrate understanding of extended speech without difficulty, express themselves fluently, participate effectively in discussions on a wide range of topics, summarize main ideas of extended speech orally, and deliver effective presentations using appropriate pronunciation, body language, and visual aids.

• Advanced Reading and Writing: Competence in comprehending texts of various lengths and difficulties, writing well-structured and coherent texts for various purposes, summarizing texts without direct quotations, producing well-structured summaries and paraphrases of complex texts, and synthesizing information from different sources using appropriate technology is expected.

The Theoretical Linguistics section encompasses Introduction to Linguistic Theory, Phonetics and Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, and Semantics and Pragmatics.

• Introduction to Linguistic Theory: Students should explain main concepts in linguistic theory, differentiate between subfields of theoretical linguistics, understand aspects of Universal Grammar, and discuss characteristics and theories of generative grammar.

• Phonetics and Phonology: Mastery of key terminology, describing articulatory characteristics of English sounds, transcribing speech using the International Phonetic Alphabet, using phonological rules to explain allophonic variation, and analyzing syllable structure, stress, rhythm, and intonation is required.

• Morphology: Students must define main morphological terms and concepts, identify different types of morphemes and their allomorphs, recognize main morphological operations, and analyze the morphological structure of English words.

• Syntax: Competence in defining main syntactic terms, determining categories of words and phrases, applying constituency tests, drawing tree diagrams for sentence structures, explaining binding principles, and representing ambiguous sentences is essential.

• Semantics and Pragmatics: Understanding key terminology and concepts, discussing different types of meanings and semantic relations, identifying sense relations between words and sentences, determining predicate arguments, using logic to assess truth values, explaining context-related meanings, applying concepts of deixis and reference, identifying types of speech acts, and analyzing information structure are all critical skills.

The Applied Linguistics section includes Introduction to Applied Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition, English Language Teaching and Assessment, Language and Society, and Language Research.

• Introduction to Applied Linguistics: Students should define applied linguistics and its sub-disciplines, explain its interdisciplinary nature, and demonstrate knowledge of current issues in the field.

• Second Language Acquisition: Explaining differences between first and second language acquisition, understanding main theories and hypotheses, evaluating these theories, and explaining learner variation in language development are key components.

• English Language Teaching and Assessment: Students must demonstrate understanding of main approaches to teaching English as a second language, grasp basic principles in language testing and assessment, design and deliver lessons informed by appropriate methods, and evaluate teaching methods.

• Language and Society: Understanding the relationship between language, society, and culture; the historical development of English; regional linguistic variations; the impact of social factors on language variation; and the effects of multilingualism on language use and identity are essential.

• Language Research: Mastery of academic research principles, design, methods, and ethics in language research; utilizing technology to find credible resources; formulating research questions and hypotheses; identifying appropriate research methods; collecting and analyzing data ethically; and writing research reports with proper citations are critical skills.

"Passing the Jahiziya Exam is more than an academic requirement; it's a gateway to future opportunities," Dr. Al-Shahrani emphasized. "Achieving a high score demonstrates not only proficiency in language and linguistics but also the critical thinking and analytical skills demanded by employers and academic institutions."

Throughout the workshop, practical advice on preparation strategies was provided. Students were encouraged to develop structured study plans covering all sections thoroughly, focus on weaker areas, engage actively in discussions and study groups, utilize online databases and academic journals for research, and practice with mock exams to become familiar with the format and time constraints.

Reflecting on the session, many students expressed appreciation for the clarity and depth of the workshop. "I feel more confident now," said Mazen Mohammed Almashafie, a senior English major. "Understanding the exam's expectations and how our coursework aligns with it makes the preparation feel manageable."

As the workshop concluded, Dr. Al-Shahrani reminded students of the broader significance of their efforts. "Your journey through the study of language is not just about passing an exam," he noted. "It's about becoming equipped to contribute to society, whether through education, research, or any field where language plays a crucial role."

The Jahiziya Exam stands as a defining moment for English language and linguistics students in Saudi Arabia. With dedicated faculty like Dr. Al-Shahrani, the support of the Alumni Unit, and a curriculum tailored to national standards, students are well-positioned to meet the challenges ahead.

As the exam date approaches, workshops like this play a vital role in ensuring that graduates are not only ready to succeed academically but are also prepared to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the nation at large.