This study examined whether institutions of higher education in the Arab world have adopted approaches that promote linguistic sustainability. Specifically, we used Q methodology to explore 30 graduates' perceptions of whether the educational language policies in force during their tertiary education positively impacted their wellbeing after…

This paper contributes to the growing scholarship on internationalization of higher education, particularly in non-Western contexts. Literature in non-Western contexts highlights tensions around adopting approaches seen as 'global standard' where these reflect inequalities of power and prestige, shaped by coloniality. Drawing on conclusions from a…

University students in developing societies find it difficult to learn in a nonindigenous language of instruction. The experiences of an American professor who participated in the English Language Difficulties Committee of an Arab medical college are described. Faculty factionalism, curriculum policy, and national aspirations toward…

This paper examines the English language from an international perspective, highlighting its role, attainments, power, use, and cultural influence. It begins by discussing the use of English versus the use of Arabic as a language of higher education in Jordan, delineating conflicts between the two languages and defining both in terms of their…

Discusses challenges to policymakers stemming from the recent change to the use of Arabic as a medium of instruction at colleges and universities in Arabic-speaking countries, including implementation plans and attitude surveys about Arabicization. It is argued that there is a need for a long-term plan for gradual implementation of the…

The recent rapid growth of Saudi higher education and the need for faculty are examined, with reference to government publications and international statistics. The possibility of having an adequate Saudi faculty and of using Arabic as the standard language of instruction are discussed. (MSE)

Proposes a method of individualizing instruction in scientific or technical fields in an institution of higher learning where the language of instruction is French but the students have varying levels of proficiency in the language. (AM)

A research project on study habits was conducted at the University of Khartoum, Sudan. This report includes: (1) an overview of the university and the background to the study; (2) previous research on study habits undertaken at the University of Khartoum and elsewhere; (3) the project goals and procedures; (4) findings concerning language…

A survey of the status of language usage in Tunisia begins with an overview of patterns of usage of Arabic, the official language, and its many dialects and forms, and French, spoken as a second language by half the population. A recent, official movement toward Arabization in official and other formal communication is outlined and the popular…

A survey of the status of language usage in Lebanon begins with an overview of the status and usage of Arabic, the official language, and three languages that are much less commonly used as native languages but are commercially and administratively significant: French, English, and Armenian. A matrix follows that rates these four languages on: (1)…

A survey of the status of language usage in Iran begins with an overview of the usage pattern of Persian, the official language spoken by just over half the population, and the competing languages of six ethnic and linguistic minorities: Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Arabic, Gilaki, Luri-Bakhtiari, and Mazandarani. The development of language policy…

A survey of the status of language usage in Iraq begins with an overview of the usage patterns of Arabic and Kurdish, especially in the context of recent political events and the agreement to make Kurdish a second official language in the Kurdish autonomous region, and to allow limited use of Kurdish in instruction and public communication. A…

A survey of the status of language usage in Chad begins with an overview of the usage patterns of four languages. They include: French, designated the official language as a practical necessity; Chadian Arabic and Sara, important popularly spoken languages in their respective regions; and Toubou, a less prevalent language but one that is spoken by…

A survey of the status of language usage in Algeria begins with an overview of the usage patterns of Arabic, the Berber languages, and French. The country's return to Arabic as its official language after independence from France in 1962 is discussed along with the resultant language planning, issues of language of instruction at the elementary,…

A survey is presented of the status and usage patterns of the lingua francas--common languages used as a medium of communication between ethnically and linguistically diverse peoples--of the African continent. The survey gives an overview of the general language situation and briefly describes the major languages: Swahili, Hausa, Fufulde,…