At a glance
- Intermediate
- Up to 144 periods a year per grade
- Secondary Year 1
- English 1, up to 180 periods
- Secondary Years 2 and 3
- English 2 (180), English 3 (144)
- Tracks
- English is studied in all five
- Related test
- STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency)
English across the Saudi school years
| Stage and year | Course | Max periods per year |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate, each grade | English | 144 |
| Secondary, first year (common) | English 1 | 180 |
| Secondary, second year | English 2 | 180 |
| Secondary, third year | English 3 | 144 |
Secondary figures are from the General, Computer Science and Engineering, and Health and Life study plans; all five tracks include English 2 and English 3. Source: Saudi Ministry of Education study plans guide, fifth edition (2025).
Where Saudi students lose English marks
- Reading speed: understanding each sentence but running out of time on longer passages.
- Grammar points that work differently in Arabic: articles (a, an, the), the present perfect, and verb forms after modals.
- Spelling of vowels, which Arabic script often leaves unwritten.
- Writing: paragraphs that list ideas without linking words or a clear topic sentence.
- Listening to natural speed English, especially different accents.
- Speaking confidence: students who know the answer but hesitate to say it.
School English and STEP
STEP, the Standardized Test of English Proficiency from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, is the English test used by Saudi universities and programmes that ask for one. Its skills overlap with school English, but it has its own sections, timing and question styles, covered on our STEP English page.
A student who reads widely, has solid grammar and is used to listening to natural English will find STEP preparation much shorter. That is why building general English in the intermediate and early secondary years pays off later.
How one-to-one lessons work
Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one, in LiveTutor's online classroom with video and a shared whiteboard. A tutor starts with a short check of reading, writing, grammar and speaking, then combines your child's school English units with targeted practice on the weak points. Every lesson includes conversation in English, which school classes rarely have time for. Many of our tutors have British or American accents, and you can state an accent preference when you book.
For an Arabic-speaking child who is just starting out, it can help to have a tutor who can explain grammar briefly in Arabic. Arabic-speaking tutors are available for some subjects; ask when you book.
When to start
Any time: English improves with steady practice, and one or two lessons a week over a school year make a visible difference. For students planning to take STEP for university admission, start general English work a year before and switch to test practice in the final months.
Common questions
Do all secondary tracks study English?
Yes. English 1 is part of the common first year, and all five tracks (General, Computer Science and Engineering, Health and Life, Business Administration and Sharia) include English 2 and English 3.
Is STEP part of school English?
No. STEP is a separate test used for university admission and some programmes. School English builds the skills, but STEP has its own format and timing.
Will the tutor follow my child's school book?
Yes, if you want. The tutor can work through the school units and add extra reading, listening and speaking practice around them.
Can lessons help with speaking?
Yes. One-to-one online lessons are well suited to speaking practice, since the whole hour is a conversation with a fluent English speaker.
How much do lessons cost?
$15 a lesson, the same for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial, one per household.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.