Standardized Teaching: The System of Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Saudi Arabia that is Negatively Affecting Student Achievement

The global significance of English as a lingua franca necessitates effective English language education worldwide, yet the standardized approach to teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Saudi Arabia has yielded suboptimal outcomes. This research explores the multifaceted barriers that Saudi students encounter in mastering English, highlighting systemic issues inherent in the current pedagogical strategies mandated by the Ministry of Education. Despite years of EFL instruction, Saudi students often graduate without achieving functional proficiency in English, as evidenced by their consistently low TOEFL scores. This study identifies several key issues: the uniform application of a rigid curriculum across diverse regions, the lack of teacher autonomy, the delayed introduction of English instruction, and the inadequate incorporation of local culture into teaching materials. Additionally, the centralized curriculum fails to accommodate varying student abilities and learning styles, leading to disengagement and poor retention of language skills. Drawing comparisons with Finland's decentralized and flexible educational model, which fosters teacher creativity and adapts to student needs, this research advocates for a paradigm shift in Saudi EFL education. Recommendations include introducing English at earlier educational stages, integrating culturally relevant content, prioritizing qualitative assessments over rote memorization, and tailoring instruction to accommodate different learning styles and proficiency levels. The proposed reforms aim to enhance both teacher effectiveness and student achievement in English, ultimately equipping Saudi students with the language skills necessary for global economic participation. This study underscores the critical need for a more adaptive, student-centered approach to EFL education in Saudi Arabia.
 
Keywords:
 Standardized Teaching, the System of Teaching, Negatively Affecting.