الملخص
Abstract This study investigates the current use of email in Saudi Arabia. The study used qualitative methods in order to (a) explore the current utilization of email by female English teachers and secondary level students in Saudi Arabia; (b) identify the attitudes and perceptions of the Saudi female teachers and students towards email; (c) investigate the expected benefits of email to EFL skills; (d) shed light on the factors that might affect integration of email in EFL programs. To achieve these goals, interviews and questionnaires were used. The total number of participants was 224 Saudi female students from eight public secondary schools. They completed questionnaires about different aspects of email in their lives. Eleven English teachers, between the ages of 27 and 50, participated in the study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the teachers to identify their attitudes towards email as well as many other issues. The findings of the study showed that the majority of Saudi teachers and students are already acquainted with email technology. Moreover, participants have shown a positive attitude towards email due to the many benefits they believed it would offer such as motivation, practice, enjoyment, and L2 improvement. Furthermore, two major barriers to the integration of email in EFL programs were constantly mentioned: lack of technical knowledge and financial difficulties. These can be overcome by providing computer labs, with an Internet connection, to Saudi public schools. The study strongly recommended that email should be integrated into EFL classes, especially in public schools.
