The study attempts at investigating the impact of the rich learning environment at Preparatory Year Programe (PYP) in Majmmah University, KSA on the overall improvement of EFL/ESP students’ productive skills. The PYP deanship at Majmmah University has been witnessing a great development and impressive advances in terms of preparation of distinctive curricula that meet students’ specialization for the required standards at colleges of medicine, engineering, applied medical sciences and computer sciences. The progress in providing the effective teaching and learning materials is also evident today. And the huge progress in constructing the rich learning environment was not possible without a vivid awareness of the importance of teaching and learning aids in motivating students for better language production. Thus, it seems as if decision makers have been investing more money for the overall development of education quality at this newly established university. The establishment of the Preparatory Year Programme (PYP) deanship at Majmmah University couple of years ago appeared to be integrated in different terms. For instance, classes are well equipped with different learning and teaching facilities that make the application of technological mediums such as CDs, MP3s and USBs easier in accomplishing language learning process. Furthermore, classes are also equipped with lap tops, headphones, two enormous speakers, a podium through which instructors control the smart boards operation and a TV screen which is freely used by the students as a listening exposure device with multiple access such as watching movies or watching some breaking news. Additionally, syllabus selection was also done in such a way that covers the needs of the EFL as well as the ESP learners. For almost three years the researcher has taught English in modern classes occupied by 16 maximum students who were divided into 4 main groups, each group seated around a big table. In a situation similar to such a modern and effective model of PYP classes, intensive receptive skills are easily taught and their intensity will definitely impact the students’ production of language skills by the end of the day. To undertake this study, a qualitative method is adapted where the researcher interviewed a sample of instructors who are currently teaching at PYP deanship. The interview questions aim at determining the strengths of the intensive receptive sessions on improving the quality of the output for the EFL/ESP students. The researcher has also conducted a classroom observation reflecting on his experience of three years of teaching at PYP deanship of Majmmah University. Finally, the study resulted into some significant findings among which are:
- Using modern technology and different classroom seating attract students’ attention and motivate them.
- A productive classroom promotes minimal anxiety through well-defined expectations, appropriate instruction, and sufficient scaffolding.
- An effective learning platform is the one that establishes strong interactions and promotes a collaborative learning culture.
Keywords: EFL, ESP, receptive skills, rich learning environment
