Page 7 - ELG2210 Oct Issue 482

NEWS
Saudis favour US

books, but UK schools

By Melanie Butler
Greece. Contacted by the Gazette
A recent flurry of course-book to confirm that the MOU was
adoptions in Saudi Arabia suggest with the American arm of his
that, though the UK seems to company, Malkogiannis confirmed
remain the top destination for that the agreement “refers to MM
Saudi students, when it comes to Educational Group”. PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK
course material used back home, Meanwhile, US-based publisher
the ball remains firmly in the National Geographic Learning
American English court. is also expanding its footprint in
According to Arab News, Saudi the Arab Kingdom, announcing
Minister of Education Hamid Al- a partnership with Saudi public when it comes to school books, recent years, rarely use academics
Sheikh signed a Memorandum investment company Talemia because the US has its own in other than a consultative role.
of Understanding (MOU) with to provide learning materials large domestic market of English Even in the UK market, US EFL
MM American Publishing for 150,000 students of business language learners who need courses are taking market share
Group, “A US group specialising management, marketing and school books. “The US specialists from local publishers, with the
in providing language teaching healthcare, also this September. in this field are familiar with and latter concentrating on new
books”, at the end of September But holding up the corner for have very high experience in editions of courses first published
as part of the Minister’s tour of the UK is Cambridge University dealing with these age groups,” 20 or 30 years ago, according to
“American research centres and Press, which last year signed an one Saudi education consultant one distributor.
universities”. agreement for a Saudi version told the Arab News. In terms of language travel,
MM American Publishing of Power Up, a primary course, The apparent preference for US however, Saudis still seem to be
Group does not appear to exist. while the localised version of specialists may also be a preference opting for the UK. In the first half of
However, the CEO named in the its secondary course Evolve was for the American norm of using this year, they made up the largest
article, Giannis Malkogiannis, also launched in the Kingdom well-known academics as lead source market for UK language
does. He heads up the last year. authors on course-book series. UK schools in terms of student weeks,
multinational MM Educational US publishers have an publishers, who have adopted the according to English UK. Kuwait
Group, with headquarters in advantage over their UK rivals US habit of using writing teams in also made the top 10.

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