The First-Year English Language Program offered by the English Language Institute constitutes a core mandatory component of the First-Year Program at King Abdulaziz University for all full-time undergraduate male and female students admitted to the university. The program is delivered through multiple tracks tailored to the academic requirements of the colleges included in each track and is taught by highly qualified and experienced faculty members. The program serves approximately 20,000 male and female students at both the main campus in Jeddah and the university branch in Rabigh. In addition, several deanships and support units are dedicated to assisting first-year students throughout the duration of their studies. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is adopted as the standard framework for describing language proficiency levels across all program tracks.

General English Track (ELIA)
9 hours per week

This track is designed for male and female students who are directly admitted to colleges at King Abdulaziz University where English is not the primary language of instruction. The General English (ELIA) curriculum comprises two academic levels delivered over one academic year, both of which must be successfully completed. The instructional content is sequenced progressively in terms of difficulty and scope and culminates at level (B1) in accordance with the CEFR.

Academic English Track (ELIS)
15 hours per week

This track is intended for male and female students who are directly admitted to scientific colleges at King Abdulaziz University where English is used as the principal language of instruction. The Academic English (ELIS) curriculum consists of two academic levels delivered over one academic year, both of which must be completed successfully. Upon completion, students are expected to achieve level (B1) in alignment with the CEFR.

English Language Major Track (ELIE)
15 hours per week

This track is designed for students who are directly admitted to the English Language major within the Department of European Languages and Literature at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Admission to this track requires a placement test score equivalent to level (A2) as defined by the CEFR. The program is delivered over two academic semesters, during which students’ language proficiency is expected to progress from level (+A2) to level (B2) in accordance with the CEFR.

Communication and Media Track (ELIC)
9 hours per week

This track is designed for students directly admitted to the Faculty of Communication and Media. It is an intensive track consisting of two courses, each delivered over one academic semester during the first year. The language component of this track covers proficiency levels (A1) and (A2) in accordance with the CEFR.

English for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Track (ELCA)
3 hours per week

This non-intensive track provides General English instruction at the beginner level for students of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities who are directly admitted to majors other than English. The track is delivered over two full academic semesters and aims to develop students’ language proficiency to level (+A1) in accordance with the CEFR.

Health Track (ELIH)
15 hours per week

This track is designed for students directly admitted to one of the university’s health colleges and is delivered over two academic semesters. The language curriculum for this track covers proficiency levels (B1), (+B1), and (B2) in accordance with the CEFR.

Detailed information regarding the course specifications of the First-Year English Language Program is available in the English Language Institute Course Specification Document issued by the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation.