Author(s): Nudhar Ramahi
Learning English is mainly about communicating with people in places where our native languages are not spoken. The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) schools today is increasing, so it is essential to use strategies that support student learning across all subjects. Schools in the UAE are increasingly using English as the language of instruction for many subjects (Ismail & AlAwidi, 2012). According to Santhi (2012), the purpose of teaching English is to help students understand how English differs from region to region, ethnic group to ethnic group, and social class to social class. Although there are unique challenges involved in teaching English to non-native speakers, efforts to effectively implement instructional strategies are crucial to successful teaching, and teachers' perceptions of how instructional strategies are applied in the classroom play a crucial role. The impact that educators who teach English as a Second Language (ESL) have on students cannot be overstated. Each teacher strives to improve their students’ skills in their classrooms on a long-term basis. “Improving English language skills at all levels of education is a top priority for the UAE” (Ismail & Alawidi, 2012, p.29).