Markets and Language Policy in Saudi Arabia: How the English Language Can Contribute to the Success of the Saudi Vision 2030 (Published)
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a major transformation plan built around three themes: “a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation” (Vision 2030). The proposed economy requires an education system aligned with market needs. This can only happen if the vision recognizes that long-term economic growth in the twenty-first century is mostly knowledge-based (Kearney and Young, 1995). Here the researcher provides an overview of the potential for English language to contribute to the success of the Saudi Vision 2030. To achieve this, I review the literature addressing the economy during the industrial age and its transition to a knowledge-based economy. Also, I review the current state of language education in Saudi Arabia. Based on the findings, the researcher proposes that language education in Saudi Arabia will need to be improved and that language policy in education in Saudi Arabia is restructured, with focus on the financial markets
Keywords: Education Policy, Industiral Age, Knoweldge-Based Economy, Language and Markets, Technology, Vision 2030