Wesal program looks to empower expats with work-based Arabic-language skills
The program aims to provide linguistic training opportunities within institutional training plans, as part of the academy's initiatives to 'empower the Arabic language in professional and organizational contexts,' according to a statement.
The three-month program will be held at the academy's headquarters in Riyadh, with a flexible schedule tailored to accommodate participants' work hours and commitments.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the KSGAAL, told Arab News: 'The Wesal program represents a qualitative step in activating the Arabic language and strengthening its presence in professional and practical fields across the public and private sectors, reflecting the academy's role in developing multilingual work environments within the Kingdom.
'Through Wesal we seek to equip a wide segment of non-Arabic-speaking professionals with functional language communication tools, enhancing their performance and deepening their connection to the national culture and identity. This program underscores the academy's commitment to its educational and developmental responsibilities, as well as its role in supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program,' he continued.
The program covers aspects of the Arabic language focusing on key skills that support the functional use of Arabic in professional settings. It also includes content intended to enhance trainees' ability to perform their tasks efficiently within the context of Saudi culture, Al-Washmi explained.
The new program is part of the academy's mission to consolidate the Arabic language and enhance its use across all fields of knowledge and communication, he added.
Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL, told Arab News that the Wesal program offers communicative and functional content relevant to the real world of the workplace.
It focuses on teaching Arabic in realistic administrative and professional contexts, away from traditional curricula of a general or academic nature, he said, and is based on a curriculum developed by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, but adapts activities and vocabulary to serve functional communication skills, such as writing official mail, handling administrative forms and participating in and managing meetings, while incorporating local administrative and cultural terminology.
According to Al-Qahtani, the program adopts an initial language diagnostic mechanism to determine trainees' levels, in addition to gradually adapting the content to suit different levels. The design of language activities also takes into account the use of visual and contextual methods, employing intermediate language when necessary, and providing examples from diverse work environments to ensure greater inclusiveness and flexibility.
Although the program has not yet received official accreditation from the relevant authorities in the Kingdom, its reliance on the CEFR framework aligns it with international best practices and paves the way for its future adoption as a recognized professional standard in the Saudi labor market, Al-Qahtani said.
Bandar Al-Jasir, executive partner at public relations firm Syaq, told Arab News that he expects Arabic proficiency to become a seriously considered element in professional assessment, especially for positions that require deeper engagement with the local audience.
Al-Jasir said that Saudi Arabia is leading efforts to build 'culturally aware artificial intelligence tools' and that the 'next challenge' is to ensure that these tools enhance the richness of the Arabic language, with human verification remaining a key element.
The priority for business solutions, he believes, should be the Arabization of operating systems and user interfaces, the provision of effective language training programs, and the development of smart tools that handle Arabic with contextual awareness.
Using Arabic internally naturally enhances corporate identity, according to Al-Jasir, who added that the 'real challenge' facing the Arabic language today is to preserve it in everyday conversation, particularly since English is becoming ever more widely used in 'informal business communication.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Argaam
36 minutes ago
- Argaam
Consumer spending in Saudi Arabia rises 9% to SAR 122.6B in June
Consumer spending in Saudi Arabia rose by 9% to SAR 122.62 billion in June 2025, from nearly SAR 112.7 billion in the same month a year earlier. Consumer spending represents total cash withdrawals, point-of-sale (POS) transactions, and e-commerce via Mada cards. POS transactions saw a 2% year-on-year (YoY) increase to around SAR 53.98 billion in June. Data showed that 919.31 million transactions were processed through more than 2.1 million POS terminals during the same month. POS transactions represent the expenditures made by consumers using their ATM cards and credit cards at shopping malls, retail stores, pharmacies, and other retail outlets. Meanwhile, cash withdrawals from ATMs fell by nearly 5% YoY to about SAR 42.67 billion in June. These withdrawals were processed through 15,000 ATMs in 112.92 million transactions, while the number of credit cards issued reached 57.83 million. E-commerce sales through Mada cards jumped 72% YoY to SAR 25.97 billion in June. According to monthly data issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), these sales were made through 141.55 million transactions. Online sales include transactions processed through Mada cards for payments and purchases made via online shopping and applications. However, these do not include transactions conducted using Visa, Mastercard, or other credit cards.
Argaam
3 hours ago
- Argaam
ADES International to acquire Shelf Drilling shares through cash merger
ADES International Holding, Ltd., a subsidiary of ADES Holding Co. signed an agreement and to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Shelf Drilling, Ltd. through a cash merger, according to a statement to Tadawul. This will take place under the laws of the Cayman Islands between ADES International Cayman ('BidCo'), a wholly owned subsidiary of ADES, and the Shelf Drilling. At completion, all Shelf Drilling shares will be cancelled for a consideration in cash of NOK 14.00 per share to the Shelf Drilling shareholders pursuant to a plan of merger entered into between Shelf Drilling, ADES and BidCo.
Argaam
3 hours ago
- Argaam
Avalon Pharma signs EUR 3M contract to market GLP1 products
Middle East Pharmaceutical Industries Co. (Avalon Pharma) signed a contract worth EUR 3 million with Adalvo Limited, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Malta, to secure the rights for the registration and marketing their GLP 1 products for weight loss and obesity. In a statement to Tadawul, the company said that the contract is valid for seven years, adding that the agreement allows Avalon Pharma to register, market and distribute the product under its Trademark in select countries of Middle East and North Africa, with exclusive rights for Saudi Arabia. The agreement is forecast to generate SAR 294 million over the duration of the contract, once regulatory approvals are received, and sales commence. Prior to going to market, the company will ensure receiving full approvals from the Saudi Arabian Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) as well as the respective authorities in each country in which it will market and distribute the product, the statement added. The deal includes provisions for expanding to other GLP products and potential for localized manufacturing. Avalon Pharma also expected that the performance will reflect positively in a gradual manner as sales accelerate post-launch, noting that no related parties are included in the deal. Any material developments, including expected launch date, related to this agreement will be communicated in due course, the statement indicated.
