Saudi Gazette report

 

JEDDAH – Speakers at the inaugural session of an English club in Jeddah on Saturday urged expatriates to seize the opportunity to learn and master English and Arabic.



Expatriates in the Kingdom belong to more than 100 nationalities and a large majority of them speak either English or Arabic and, therefore, it is very easy to acquire these languages mainly through interaction with native speakers, they pointed out.



Language is a powerful weapon and will help expatriates to improve not only their knowledge but their career prospects as well, the speakers said.



The Jeddah South Zone of Youth India started the club in 2012 as an initiative, free of cost, to improve expatriates’ written and spoken English.



Noted Keralite writer and social activist Gopi Nedungadi inaugurated the club’s activities for 2014.



In his speech, Nedungadi underscored that like knowledge, language also plays a major role in the personality development of every individual.



“Language is next to parents and teachers in influencing every individual.” He urged young people to grab the opportunity to acquire a better command of the international language of English and learn Arabic, the language of Gulf states and many other countries.



“Expatriates are exposed to a number of leading languages and what they need is determination and a little effort to acquire them,” he said.



In his speech, Professor Reynold P. Ittoop of King Abdulaziz University underlined the need for mastering English as a second language in reading, writing and speaking.



“This is inevitable to overcome the dominance of the mother tongue. “The information technology revolution and exposure to native speakers made the acquisition of the English language much easier for expatriates.

“Therefore, expatriates should seize this golden opportunity to master English as it would help them to improve their job efficiency and productivity.”



He highlighted the significance of interaction and group study in English learning.



Ittoop is serving as the guide and chief instructor at the club. He congratulated Youth India for its initiative.



Hassan Cheruppa of Saudi Gazette and Mahboob Ali, vice president of Thanima Jeddah Zone, also spoke on the occasion.



The function was presided over by Anees K.M., president of the Jeddah chapter of Youth India.



The program began with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Siraj Mampad. Rashid C.H., coordinator of the club, welcomed the gathering while Abdul Kabeer Mohsin gave a vote of thanks.