Saudi Arabia - Immigr8

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Saudi Arabia/U.S. Curriculum Translation

Grade	7th 2nd Year Preparatory	8th 3rd year Preparatory (Basic Education Certificate Received)	9th Secondary (General)	10th Secondary (General)	11th Secondary (General)	12th Secondary (Technical +1 year)
Mathematics		Algebra 1	Geometry	Algebra 2	Pre-Calculus	*Calculus
Science			Biology	Biology/ Chemistry/ Physics Blended Consider: Chemistry	Biology/ Chemistry/ Physics Blended Consider: Physics	Advanced Science
Social and National Studies			World History or World Geography	National Muslim History Consider: SPTSS	Country- Specific History Consider: SPTSS	Country- Specific History Consider: SPTSS
Regional Language (e.g., Arabic)		**Arabic 2	Arabic 2 or 3	Arabic 4	Arabic 5	Arabic 6 or 7
Foreign Language (English)	English 7	English 8	Speaking, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Syntax Consider: English 1	Speaking, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Syntax Consider: English 2	Speaking, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Syntax Consider: English 3	Speaking, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Syntax Consider: English 4
Foreign Language (language other than English or Arabic)			3rd Language	3rd Language	3rd Language
Computer			BUIM 1/ Computer Science	BUIM 1/ Computer Science	Advanced Technology	Advanced Technology
P.E.			P.E.	P.E.
Fine Arts/ Electives (typically not studied)
Religious Studies			No equivalent U.S. course. Course is how to pray, not the history of prayer

*Calculus is embedded in every math course

**Should have had consistent schooling with minimal gaps in education

Saudi Arabia Education System

School Year: September to June | Compulsory Education: 1st-9th | Graduation: 1st – 12th

School	Grade	Age	Certificate
Primary School	1st-6th	6 to 11 years old	Year 6 Elementary Education Certificate
Intermediate School	7th-9th	12 to 15 years old	Year 9 General Education Certificate
Secondary Education	10th-12th	16+	Year 12 Secondary Education Certificate Vocational Secondary Education Certificate

Saudi Arabia/U.S. Grading Scale

Saudi Arabia Scale 1	U.S. Equivalent	U.S. Numerical Grade	Saudi Arabia Scale 2	U.S. Equivalent	U.S. Numerical Grade
90 – 100	A	95	4.76-5.00	A+	98
75 – 89	B	85	4.51 – 4.75	A	95
60 – 74	C	75	4.01 – 4.50	A-	90
50 – 59	D / Pass	70	3.51 – 4.00	B+	88
0 – 49	F	69	3.01 – 3.50	B	85
*	*	*	2.51 – 3.00	B-	80
*	*	*	2.01 – 2.50	C+	78
*	*	*	1.01 – 2.00	C	75
*	*	*	0.00 – 1.00	F	69

Saudi Arabia Transition Supports

Saudi Arabia Education Practice:

Schools within Arabic countries follow a national system and curriculum. The same course of the same difficulty is offered for all students; there are no “gifted” or “honors” students and there are no electives. A national examination is taken by all students at the same time, and this exam determines the academic future and career of each student. The idea of school as a “meritocracy,” where high grades reflect persistent effort, is not part of the system (“Saudi Arabia Education System” 2018).

Rote memorization is the chief learning method in the Arab world, as students are expected to reproduce correct answers on written exams. The American emphasis on independent problem solving and individual creativity result in group work and projects. The Arab student is not accustomed to working in groups and is quite dependent upon the instructor (“Saudi Arabia Education System” 2018).

U.S. Educator Implications:

Students from Saudi Arabia may have a difficult time transitioning to the Western concepts of creativity and imagination. Modeling how to use one’s imagination or how to complete projects and assignments that force students out of their comfort zone would be beneficial to students. Additionally, latitude when assigning group work should be considered. Allow students to grow in their comfort of common U.S. educational practices.

Strategies for Transition

Get to know your students by building positive relationships.
Provide multicultural education where texts, values, beliefs, and perspectives represent people from different cultural backgrounds.
Classes in Saudi Arabia are teacher centered, not student centered. Each step of learning is guided by the teacher; therefore, modeling and gradual implementation of student-led learning would be helpful.
Student-teacher relationships in the Arabic world are formal, both in and out of the classroom. Students are generally hesitant to ask questions and regard the teacher with respect and fear. Arab instructors tend to express their authority and their approval/disapproval quite openly to the students (“Saudi Arabia Education System” 2018).
Arabic students are not accustomed to receiving a syllabus, schedule, and objectives in their classes. Attendance is important, but absences do not usually cause a student’s failure if he or sheet can pass his tests. Explaining the importance of attendance will help clarify this expectation for students (“Saudi Arabia Education System” 2018).
In the Arab world, the grading system is more unified among all instructors rather than determined by each individual teacher; however, because of the pressure put on the Arabic student to pass the exams and because testing in the Arabic world is mainly based on subjective instruments, students tend to negotiate the grades given to them. U.S. educators should recognize that this is a cultural behavior and not feel threatened if this behavior is exhibited (“Saudi Arabia Education System” 2018).
Classes in the Arabic world are usually for the same sex. This means, accordingly, that male students have little or no experience being taught by women. Saudi students may feel more comfortable with male teachers. U.S. educators should try to make students feel as comfortable as possible, but also recognize that their gender may impact a student’s transition. Develop positive relationships in order to establish an environment of safety and acceptance (“Saudi Arabia Education System” 2018).

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