The policy- English as a medium of instruction (EMI)—in computing education plays an important role in achieving the outcomes of computer science programs. This study examines the effects of Saudi Arabia’s English as a medium of instruction (EMI) policy in undergraduate computer science programs at public universities. Study data was collected from three samples: alumni records (n = 1,316), a questionnaire administered to current instructors (n = 42), and a questionnaire administered to current students (n = 250). A quantitative analysis was then performed on this data. Analysis of the alumni records shows that students’ average grades in their English courses in the first year of their five-year program significantly predicted their overall grade point average (GPA). Analysis of the instructors’ questionnaire showed that instructors had positive attitudes toward the EMI policy, and that most instructors believed that students’ English proficiency does not limit their engagement and performance in class. Analysis of the current students’ questionnaire demonstrated that students preferred to learn in Arabic, their native language. Furthermore, analysis of the students’ questionnaire indicate that students’ societal attitudes and self-efficacy significantly predicted their preferred language of instruction. The study concludes that instructors need to differentiate between students’ English proficiency and their knowledge of computer science when assessing students' work, and that policymakers should consider students’ preferred language of instruction when designing computer science curricula.

政策——英语作为教学语言 (EMI)——在计算机教育中在实现计算机科学项目的成果方面发挥着重要作用。本研究考察了沙特阿拉伯的英语作为教学语言 (EMI) 政策在公立大学本科计算机科学课程中的影响。研究数据是从三个样本中收集的：校友记录（n = 1,316）、对现任教师进行的问卷调查（n = 42）和对当前学生进行的问卷调查（n = 250）。然后对这些数据进行定量分析。对校友记录的分析表明，学生在五年制课程第一年的英语课程平均成绩显着预测了他们的整体平均绩点 (GPA)。对教师问卷的分析表明，教师对 EMI 政策持积极态度，大多数教师认为学生的英语水平不会限制他们在课堂上的参与度和表现。对当前学生问卷的分析表明，学生更喜欢用他们的母语阿拉伯语学习。此外，对学生问卷的分析表明，学生的社会态度和自我效能感显着预测了他们首选的教学语言。该研究得出的结论是，教师在评估学生的作业时需要区分学生的英语熟练程度和他们对计算机科学的知识，决策者在设计计算机科学课程时应考虑学生的首选教学语言。