The influence of high power distance in student-teacher relationships and its effects on reading proficiency: a case study of Saudi students in EFL classrooms at Albaha University in Saudi Arabia

摘要: Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)%%%%The key objective this study was to examine the possible effects power distance (PD) as a sociolinguistic factor on Saudi university students’ English reading proficiency. Most research role PD in education has been done low countries like USA and Western Europe. The Kingdom Arabia (KSA) where current conducted is fast developing Middle Eastern Islamic country rich traditional culture representing high PD. In that regard its context provides valuable opportunity test various aspects theory KSA, classroom learning environment, authority teacher accepted respected with reverence. It teacher-centered which generally devoid independence individualism learning. Student-teacher relationships are highly formal, discourse typically unidirectional from students. Prior reported here there no how KSA’s setting affects teacher-student what extent influences outcomes. This central issue examined work. Albaha University (in city Albaha, KSA) chosen venue for research. medium-sized provincial capital representative mainstream social cultural values. Using cluster random sampling, 100 students four teachers were recruited study. Data relation PD, independent variable, collected via questionnaire observations. included section participants’ demographic background. A dedicated language used obtain data proficiency foreign (EFL), dependent variable. subjected range descriptive inferential statistical analyses. Two principal questions addressed: whether variable can predict EFL proficiency; variables former, analyses revealed be statistically significant, albeit weak, predictor Among variables, age mother’s level found but also predictors regression models deployed purposes established demographics only account relatively small proportion variance scores, indicating (as expected) L2 sensitive broad different factors.