The English Language Center held an intensive English language program for beginners for the academic staff members at Umm Al-Qura University (women and men). The program continued for two weeks, from 27 Jumada Al-Thani, 1442 A.H., to 5 Rajab, 1442 A.H., and included four intensive interactive workshops, which were held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The workshops were presented remotely using the WebEx platform, and the total number of male and female trainees enrolled in the program reached 25 members.

The aim of the program was to develop the basic skills of the English language, covering the basic rules and usage of English. Through studying writing and speaking skills appropriate for their level, the participants learned how to form simple and grammatically correct sentences, introduce themselves, and ask questions in English. The program also covered speaking skills needed for everyday situations, such as talking about work or hobbies or having a conversation in a restaurant or with a friend. Moreover, the English Language for Beginners Program aimed to motivate trainees to learn English on a self-learning basis.

The program dealt with several basic areas for learning the English language and was divided into four parts, according to the schedule of each workshop. The first part covered the English alphabet (consonants and vowels), explaining how to write and pronounce the letters, and the parts of speech along with the function of each part, supported with examples. The second part dealt with affirmative and negative verbs, how to make questions, the different types of questions, how to introduce oneself, and how to talk about work and the workplace as well as hobbies. It also dealt with countable and uncountable nouns and the definite article in the English language. The third part focused on prepositions and how to use them, in addition to the rules for the simple present tense, how to form sentences using this tense, how to make a conversation in a restaurant, and how to express yourself or make a complaint appropriately. The fourth and final part dealt with the future tense and how to make questions in this tense. Furthermore, the use of the future tense was highlighted in developing many communication skills, such as providing advice, offering suggestions, and making personal decisions. The workshops included a review of all the presented material.

At the end, the English Language Center sincerely expressed thanks and gratitude to His Excellency the Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Amer Al-Zaidi, for providing all the facilities and tools that contributed to making this program a success. The administration of the English Language Center also extended its thanks and appreciation to Her Excellency the Vice Dean for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Nawal bint Ali Al-Zahrani, and the academic staff members at the center: Ms. Samah Faqih, Ms. Afnan Al-Zahrani, Ms. Masha`il Al-Jadaani, and Ms. Wafaa Al-Busaisi, for their collaborative efforts in planning and professionally implementing this training program.