Attitudes of Medical Sciences’ Students towards English Language Learning: A Case Study of Health Sciences Colleges in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Learning a new language is a challenging task for many learners.  However, it can be an exciting learning process based on several individual difference factors such as self-esteem, anxiety, tolerance of ambiguity, motivation, and attitudes. Thus, this paper focused at examining the attitudes of private college students in Saudi Arabia towards learning the English language for medical academic purposes as it highlights the differences between male and female learners’ attitudes towards learning English language.  Relevant data was attained by employing survey questionnaires from a sample of 200 students selected from three private medical colleges that utilize the English language as a medium of instruction in Saudi Arabia. SPSS analysed the accumulated data.  The findings dominantly revealed that students have positive attitudes toward learning the English language, especially if the materials are authentic and related to their respective medical areas of concentration and related to their future workplace. Moreover, the study disclosed that there was no significant difference in the learners’ attitudes toward English language learning based on gender. This study’s findings are highly recommended to EFL students, teachers, policymakers, and researchers who are interested in investigating linguistic-associated behaviours. The findings can additionally reinforce related studies or serve as framework for further research studies of the same nature.