English language classes are currently offered in public schools from Grade six

Saudi Arabia will offer English language classes to first graders next academic year, introducing language instruction much earlier than in previous years, the Kingdom’s Minister of Education Hamad bin Mohammed Al Al Sheikh said in an interview on Al Ekhbariyah TV.

Currently, English language classes are only offered in public schools in the country from Grade 6.

The decision is intended to ensure that Saudi students are equipped with the knowledge they need to pursue future careers, as well as to provide them with the ability to compete in the international job market, the minister said.

“The aim [of these changes] is to benefit students and the future citizen who will graduate [to become] a person who can compete internationally, and who has the qualifications [to do so],” Al Sheikh told Al Ekhbariyah.

The ministry will also be implementing a number of other changes, according to the minister, including approving five new science and mathematics courses.

Four of the five courses will be introduced to all public schools in the Kingdom, while the fifth will only be implemented in the major schools around the country.

E-learning will also begin from the fourth grade, he said.

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