Ali H. S. Hajjaj

Dr. Ali Hussein Salman Hajjaj (1933–2004) was the first non-English speaking person to acquire a (Ph.D.) in Applied Linguistics of the English Language. He attained his Ph.D. from University of Lancaster, UK in 1979.
The late Dr. Ali was born in Gaza Palestine, in 1933. He acquired the Canadian citizenship in 1995. He died in the city of Amman, Jordan, while he was on top of his academic assignment as the Head of English Department at the Faculty of Arts at Petra University, Jordan.
Dr. Hajjaj contributed to English Language Teaching (ELT) to native English language speakers as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL).

He received his graduate, B.A. in English Literature from Cairo University, Egypt in 1955.

His M.A. (Master's degree) in Applied Linguistics from University of Lancaster, Lancaster, UK in 1973. The Title of M.A. Thesis was "A Suggested Approach to a Functional Syllabus for ELT".

He received his Ph.D. (doctoral degree) in applied linguistics, from the University of Lancaster, Lancaster, UK in 1979. The special field was Functional Nature of Language. The Title of his Ph.D. Thesis was "The Nature and Understanding of the Term Function and its Application to ESP".

Professional Career & Positions Held

Teacher of English, Department of Education, Gaza Strip, Palestine [1955-1959]
Teacher of English, and a Senior Teacher, Ministry of Education, Kuwait [1959-1968]
ELT Chief Inspector General and Inspector, Ministry of Education, Kuwait [1968-1984]
Adjunct Member, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States [1984]
Assistant Director, Languages Center, Kuwait University, Kuwait [1987-1989]
Lecturer, Department of English, Kuwait University, Kuwait [1984-1990]
Coordinator, Department of English, Jordan University for Women, Jordan [1992-1994]
Associate Professor, Department of English, Jordan University for Women, Jordan [1994-2001]
Professor, Department of English, Petra University, Jordan [2001-2004]
Head of Department, Department of English, Petra University, Jordan [1995-2004]

University Courses Taught

Undergraduate level courses taught at Kuwait University, Jordan University for Women (later became Petra University), and the University of Jordan include: Linguistics and Introduction to Linquistics, Applied Linquistics, Language Skills, Syntax, Semantics, Translation, English Usage, English Writing, Report Writing, Sociolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Discourse Analysis. Graduate level course taught at Oregon State University, Graduate Faculty, was "ESP in TEFL".

Promotion Refereeing

• Professorship Rank, Al-Khartoum University, Al-Khartoum, Sudan.
• Associate Professorship Rank, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Thesis Supervised or Refereed

• "Divergence in British & American" (Ph.D.), University of Jordan, 2002.
• "ESP Theses" (Ph.D.), Al-Khartoum University, 1999 and 2002.
• "Evaluation of ELT Materials in Kuwait and Iraq" (M.A.), Manchester University, 1987-1990.
• "Attitudes, Needs and Motivation: A case study of Kuwait University Students" (Ph.D.), University of Lancaster, 1985-1990.
• "The Audio-Lingual Approach and the Communicative Approach" (M.A.), Norwich University, 1982-1983.

• Hajjaj, Ali (1999). Arab students` writing mistakes: Renewing the issue. Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences, University of Jordan, 26.2: 621-633.
• Errors in English among Arabic speakers : analysis and remedy / Nayef Kharma, Ali Hajjaj. Beirut : York Press : Librairie du Liban, 1997.
• Ali Hajjaj & Nayef Kharma (1989) Errors in English among Arabic Speakers: Analysis and Remedy. Longman, London. Co-Author
• Georgetown University Round Table on Languages and Linguistics (GURT) 1989. Language Teaching, Testing, and Technology: Lessons from the Past with a View Toward the Future. Contributor.
• Towards a Pragmatic Approach to FLT. AUTHOR: Kharma, N. N.; Hajjaj, Ali H. 1988 ABSTRACT: A discussion of the worldwide problem of how to approach second language instruction examines insights gained from research and theory and recommends adoption of a pragmatic approach. Five principles underlying language instruction must be considered in this pragmatic approach. First, the most essential function of language is its communicative-humanistic function. Second, language form and function should be presented simultaneously, be guided by communicative grammar, and progressively change in favor of functions until function is predominant in the advanced stages of language learning. Third, no classroom practice or activity leading to the learning of a particular form or function should be prohibited or avoided. Fourth, vocabulary development should be considered essential in any syllabus or teaching situation. Fifth, attention should be paid, particularly at the advanced levels, to language styles used by native speakers in different social situations. (MSE)
• Hajjaj, Ali H.S. (1979). The nature and understanding of the term "function" and its application to English for Specific Purposes with Reference to Physics Texts used in Kuwait University. University of Lancaster, UK.
• Hajjaj, Ali H.S. (1973). Problems of Arab Learners in Mastering the Pronunciation of English. University of Lancaster Syllabus Planning Project, University of Lancaster, UK.
• State of World: Annual Publication. Complete Translation into Arabic of each annual issue from 2001 until 2004.