College & Colleague Accomplishments

College of Languages and Translation Launches Chinese Language Basics Program

The College of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University is introducing a "Chinese Language Basics" program, set to begin on November 17, 2024. This innovative initiative aims to provide members of the public with fundamental skills in Mandarin Chinese, covering reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Key features of the program include:

• 36 hours of instruction over two months
• Focus on pronunciation, character writing, practical communication, and cultural exploration
• Multiple time slots available (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
• Classes held at the College of Languages and Translation
• Open to all interested individuals, regardless of prior experience
• Course fee: SAR 2,000

The program is designed to equip participants with practical skills such as self-introduction, discussing family and hobbies, booking hotel rooms, and navigating transportation in Chinese. It also includes a cultural component, exploring Chinese history, geography, and customs.

Dr. Ahmad Ismail Assiri, Dean of the College of Languages and Translation, emphasized the program's significance in fostering cross-cultural communication and enhancing professional prospects in today's interconnected world.

Interested individuals can register online or by scanning the QR code provided in the program's infographic.

College of Languages and Translation Releases New SJLS Journal Issue

The College of Languages and Translation is pleased to announce the publication of the latest issue of the Saudi Journal of Language Studies (SJLS). This marks the release of the 3rd issue of the 4th volume, highlighting the journal's ongoing commitment to advancing linguistic research.

The SJLS continues to serve as a vital platform for scholars and researchers in the field of linguistics, showcasing cutting-edge studies and fostering academic discourse. The latest issue features a diverse range of articles that contribute to the understanding and development of language studies in the region and beyond.

For more details about the journal and to access the latest issue, please visit the SJLS official website.

In this issue, we are proud to feature three compelling research papers:

1. "Exploring Iranian English Language Teachers’ Hope: An Ecological Perspective" by Sedigheh Karimpour, Majid Elahi Shirvan, and Mojdeh Shahnama. This study delves into the dynamics of hope among Iranian English language teachers, examining how teacher-related and student-related factors influence their professional experiences. The research highlights the importance of agency and economic factors in shaping educators' outlook.

2. "Artificial Intelligence-Powered Tools and Academic Writing: To Use or Not to Use ChatGPT" by Bakr Bagash Mansour Ahmed Al-Sofi. This paper investigates the effectiveness of ChatGPT in enhancing the academic writing skills of Saudi EFL undergraduate students. It discusses the benefits and challenges of integrating AI tools like ChatGPT in education and offers practical strategies for their responsible use to improve learning outcomes.

3. "Does Applying Inductive Methods Based on System Thinking Improve EFL Grammar Learning?" by Nurah Alfares. This research examines the impact of inductive teaching methods grounded in system thinking on grammar learning among secondary school students in Saudi Arabia. The findings indicate significant improvements in students' grammar performance, advocating for more engaging and interactive learning environments.

These articles exemplify the journal's dedication to advancing linguistic research and contribute valuable insights for educators, researchers, and language practitioners.

New Study Published by Dr. Nada Alqarni from King Khalid University in the Prestigious Journal System

We are excited to announce that Dr. Nada Alqarni from the College of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University has recently published a groundbreaking study in the high-ranking System journal. System is a Q1 journal recognized for its significant contributions to applied linguistics research, with an impressive impact factor of 4.9, as reported in the 2023 Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate Analytics, 2024). The journal is indexed in Scopus, the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), and other reputable databases.

Dr. Alqarni's study, titled “Predictors of Foreign Language Proficiency: Emotion Regulation, Foreign Language Enjoyment, or Academic Stress?” explores the psychological factors affecting English as a Foreign Language (EFL) proficiency among Saudi undergraduate students. The study uses an advanced quantitative research design, employing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to investigate the complex relationships between emotion regulation strategies, foreign-language enjoyment (FLE), and perceived academic stress (PAS) on students’ language proficiency.

The findings of the study reveal that both FLE and PAS are significant predictors of EFL proficiency, with FLE positively influencing student performance. Interestingly, moderate levels of academic stress also show a positive correlation with proficiency, suggesting that some stress may enhance learning outcomes. The research highlights the importance of fostering positive psychology of EFL learners while also recognizing the motivational role that stress can play in academic achievement.

This publication is a testament to Dr. Alqarni’s dedication to advancing the field of applied linguistics and her contribution to understanding the emotional dynamics that affect language learning. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Alqarni on this remarkable achievement.

For more information on the study and to access the full article, please click here.

New Study Published by Faculty Members from King Khalid University and King Faisal University in Prestigious Applied Linguistics Journal

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Fakieh Alrabai from our very own College of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University and Dr. Abdullah Alamer from King Faisal University have recently published a significant study in the peer-reviewed journal Language Teaching Research. This journal is widely recognized in the field of Applied Linguistics and holds an impressive standing in the Clarivate rankings. It has a 2-year Impact Factor of 3.3, ranking 17^th out of 297 journals in Linguistics and 64^th out of 756 in Education & Educational Research.

Their study, titled "The Effects of Teacher Motivational Practice on Learner L2 Achievement: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective Using Structural Equation Modeling", examines the relationship between teacher motivational strategies and second language (L2) learner achievement. The research employed Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and used advanced structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore both direct and indirect effects of teacher interventions on learners' autonomy, intrinsic motivation, and motivational intensity.

This publication demonstrates the ongoing commitment of our faculty to producing high-quality research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in language education. We extend our congratulations to Prof. Alrabai and Dr. Alamer for this notable achievement.

For more information on the study, and to access the full article, please click here.

We are excited to announce that Prof. Fakieh Alrabai and Wala Algazaz, a PhD program student, have recently published a study in the esteemed journal Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching (SSLLT). This journal is ranked among the highest in the field of Applied Linguistics, with an SSCI ranking, a Q1 classification, and an impressive Impact Factor of 3.7, placing it at 10 out of 297 journals in its category.

The study, which can be accessed via the following DOI link: https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.39329, represents a significant contribution to the field of second language acquisition and teaching.

This publication showcases the dedication of our faculty members and students to conducting high-quality research and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields. We congratulate Prof. Alrabai and Wala Algazaz on this outstanding achievement and look forward to their continued success.

For more information about the study and to access the full article, please visit the SSLLT website.

The College of Languages and Translation has announced the publication of the latest issue of the Saudi Journal of Language Studies (SJLS). This marks the release of the 2nd issue of the 4th volume, representing a significant milestone in the journal's ongoing contribution to linguistic research.

This announcement was shared via the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at King Khalid University.

The SJLS continues to serve as a vital platform for scholars and researchers in the field of linguistics, showcasing cutting-edge studies and fostering academic discourse.

For more details about the journal and to access the latest issue, please visit the SJLS official website.

In this issue, we are proud to feature three insightful research papers:

1. "Dubbing of English Animated Series into Arabic on Shahid and Netflix: An Analysis Based on the Politeness Theory" by Dana Alsuhaim. This paper examines how English children's cartoons are dubbed into Modern Standard Arabic, focusing on negative face-threatening speech acts such as compliments, suggestions, and rejections. Through a comparative analysis of translations on Shahid and Netflix, the study highlights how cultural differences and social norms influence the selection of dubbing strategies. The findings underscore the translators' cultural competence in adapting content to align with audience preferences while maintaining the integrity of familial relationships depicted in the animations.

2. "Transdisciplinary Integration for Applied Linguistics: The Case of Electrophysiology" by Ali H. Al-Hoorie and Ahmad Abdurrahman K. AlAwdah. This innovative research advocates for the incorporation of electrophysiology into applied linguistics to enhance listening comprehension skills. By proposing dynamic auto-adjustment of speech rate based on heart rate to mitigate listening stress, the authors explore a novel transdisciplinary approach. The study opens new avenues for practical strategies in language learning and emphasizes the potential benefits of integrating methods from different disciplines to advance linguistic research.

3. "Arabic Semantic Priming for Homographs Does Not Result in a Boost to All Related Material" by Noura Aljadaan, Muhammad Alzaidi, and Suliman Mohammed Alnasser. This study investigates whether reading context in Najdi Arabic influences the recognition and processing of homographs, as found in previous English-language studies. By exploring the effects of orthographic style and diglossia, the research reveals that not all related material is equally facilitated during reading. The findings contribute to a better understanding of semantic priming in Arabic and have implications for improving reading comprehension strategies, particularly for individuals with reading difficulties.

These articles exemplify the journal's dedication to advancing linguistic research and offer valuable perspectives for educators, researchers, and practitioners in the field.