RIYADH: Hundreds of non-native speakers have been tested on their Arabic language skills in Saudi Arabia’s new standardized language test this week, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
A total of 315 candidates from 22 countries took the Hamza Arabic Language Test in person, which was conducted by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, in collaboration with seven Saudi universities.
The test is a computerized, codified test which measures the Arabic language proficiency of non-native speakers. It was first introduced in December 2023 and designed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Seven tests have been administered since its introduction to evaluate the language skills of 1,979 people in Saudi Arabia, China, Indonesia, and India.
The test is part of KSGAAL’s endeavors to raise the status of the Arabic language locally, regionally, and internationally, according to Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the secretary-general of the KSGAAL.
Dr. Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL. (Supplied)
Dr. Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL, told Arab News: “The increasing demand for learning Arabic for various educational, vocational, and cultural objectives has prompted the need to design a unified global test measuring the Arabic language proficiency that helps enroll in educational programs or meets the needs of the labor market.
“Since mastering language skills is a prerequisite for employment, KSGAAL seeks to enhance cooperation with the entities concerned with teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers.”
The Hamza academic test is designed in accordance with the highest global standards, with a view to consolidating efforts and developing practices in teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers, Al-Qahtani added, while also hoping that the test would become a reference for measuring the level of the Arabic language proficiency of non-native speakers locally, regionally, and internationally.
The universities participating were: Umm Al-Qura University, Islamic University of Madinah, King Abdulaziz University, King Faisal University, Taif University, Qassim University, and Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University.
