British ambassador to Saudi Arabia visits British Council’s Riyadh Centre as face-to-face English courses resume

Saudi Arabia: The British Council welcomed British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Neil Crompton to their rebranded Riyadh centre, as the British Council resumed face-to-face English courses in Saudi Arabia for the start of the new school term.

The British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia met with the British Council team in Riyadh for a tour of the centre and spoke to the teachers as well as students who shared their experience with the British Council and their future aspirations. 

Emphasising the importance of cultural exchange and continued professional development between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Ambassador Neil Crompton said, “Learning the English language and obtaining recognised certificates opens new pathways for students across the Kingdom in terms of professional and personal development.  The British Council Centre enables students to undertake a wealth of academic, professional, cultural and personal projects and I was delighted to have witnessed the resumption of face-to-face English courses and talk to students during my time at the British Council’s Riyadh centre.”

Speaking about the resumption, Grant Butler, Director English Services at the British Council said: “We have been working hard over the last few months to ensure that our face-to-face classes can be delivered in a secure and enjoyable environment using similar health and safety measures in line with government guidance. We are giving as much choice as possible, so if a parent wants their child to study online, they can. And those that do return to class also know that classes can be moved online if necessary.”

Classes for secondary students and adults are now available and they will be combined with online guided learning that students can undertake independently at home. This news comes on the back of local health authority and government guidance and sees the teaching centres adhere to a number of health and safety precautions to protect staff, teachers and students.

To find out more about British Council’s English language courses, visit https://www.britishcouncil.sa/en