PhD Degree Awarded to Researcher Ali Al-Sultan in Applied Linguistics
Researcher Ali Yahya Al-Sultan was awarded a PhD degree in Applied Linguistics for his dissertation titled: Assessing the Impact of Problem-Solving Teaching Methods on ESP Students’ Verbal Proficiency Skills in Medical Sciences, which was submitted to the Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Arts and Humanities–Sana’a University. The dissertation defense was held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
The PhD Viva-Voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
# Committee Members Designation Position
1 Prof. Abdelrahman Abdrabou Al-Dirbiji Internal Examiner Chair
2 Assoc. Prof. Hamed Al-Mogarry Main Supervisor Member
3 Assoc. Prof. Jehan Asheesh External Examiner Member
The study aimed to evaluate the impact of problem-solving teaching methods on developing verbal proficiency skills among students of English for Medical Purposes (EMP) and to compare the effectiveness of these approaches with traditional methods of teaching speaking skills.
The findings demonstrated that problem-solving teaching methods constitute innovative and effective instructional methods that significantly enhance students’ spoken medical English. The study showed that these methods improve multiple dimensions of linguistic competence, including pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. The findings further indicated that problem-solving teaching methods help students overcome barriers to oral participation, such as shyness, hesitation, and anxiety, while fostering greater self-confidence and improving their ability to express themselves and communicate effectively in both academic and professional medical contexts.
The researcher recommended incorporating problem-solving teaching methods into English for Medical Purposes curricula and expanding their application to develop a broader range of language skills. The study also emphasized the importance of training university faculty members in the effective implementation of these instructional methods to enhance educational outcomes and prepare graduates capable of communicating effectively in medical settings.
The dissertation defense was attended by a number of academics, postgraduate students, researchers, as well as the researcher’s colleagues and family members.
