Students’ Perceptions of English Courses for Workplace Readiness at Applied College at KFU

This study explores the perceptions of diploma students regarding professional English courses at the Applied College at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia, focusing on their relevance, teaching methods, challenges, and impact on workplace readiness. As Saudi Arabia diversifies its economy under Vision 2030, English proficiency has become vital for employability in fields such as business, accounting, and computer science. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 300 students via a structured questionnaire. Results indicated that 85% of students found the courses relevant to their field, 82% agreed with the content aligned with professional language needs, and 83% reported improved professional writing skills. However, 25% faced difficulties with technical terms, and 45% desired more interactive activities and real-world case studies. Despite these challenges, 84% felt more prepared for workplace English, and 81% recommended the courses. The findings highlighted the effectiveness of English for Specific Purposes courses in enhancing workplace readiness but suggested improvements, such as incorporating more interactive learning, technical vocabulary instruction, and authentic materials. This study provides actionable recommendations for curriculum development to better align English for Specific Purposes courses with students’ professional needs and Saudi Arabia’s economic goals.