Abstract

This study investigates the specific barriers to effective communication by teachers and students of the EFL programs of higher education in the Saudi Kingdom. The study utilized a qualitative design to examine perspectives of EFL students and the faculty members of the EFL programs at Al-Mustaqbal and Jubail University College on the effects, causes and viable solutions to ineffective communication between teachers and students. Data collection involved interactive methods which included using open-ended questionnaires and online focus groups respectively. Overall, 39% agreed that poor and ineffective communication is common between teachers and students, and 44% agreed that it was a cause of poor performances for students in EFL programs; while 17% indicated that ineffective communication between teachers and students was to blame for the poor quality of engagement of students with their teachers. The findings qualify the critical significance of considering the implementation of motivating methodologies for improving teacher-student communication.

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