Can We Teach our Children English Language without Affecting our National Identity

Abstract

Teaching English for children in Saudi Arabia, as an Arab Muslim country is a matter of debate these days. A team of educators think that it is not recommended to teach English for young children because this may have a negative effect on our Arabic and Islamic identity, which may in turn result in dangerous social effects in the future. However, the novelty of the present study lies in its being against such deeply rooted beliefs, which shaped our orientations towards English as a foreign language. The present study aims at ending the debate relevant to teaching English language for small children. This can hopefully be carried out throughout the study by submitting social, psychological and linguistic solutions which are to be employed as scientific and logical analysis for the origin of such ancient beliefs and a guide to the way to modify them.

Key words: Teaching - English language –national identity.