EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A ONE-WEEK ENGLISH TRAINING PROGRAM FOR UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES IN IRAQ

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a one-week English language training program designed for newly employed staff at Al-Qadisiyah University, as mandated by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education. The program aimed to enhance the functional English skills necessary for academic and workplace communication. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 180 participants, with 90 valid responses collected and analyzed. The survey incorporated elements from Constructivist Learning Theory, Second Language Acquisition (SLA) Theory, and principles of Effective Program Design to assess learner engagement, content relevance, instructional methods, and learning outcomes. Results indicate that participants reported noticeable improvement in their English proficiency, particularly in speaking and listening, and expressed positive perceptions regarding the interactive and practical nature of the course. However, challenges such as limited training duration and insufficient time for skill-specific focus were also noted. The findings provide evidence for the program’s potential impact and offer insights for improving future language training initiatives in Iraqi higher education institutions.