{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.027868852459016394, 'fraction_numerical': 0.011809350333940498, 'mean_word_length': 5.241189844638121, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 4, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Investigating Competency‐Based Learning Implementation at the Northern Border University (NBU): A Descriptive Analytical Study

Competency-Based Learning implementation has become a necessity at the Northern Border University (NBU), the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). However, there are still a lot of implementation challenges that need to be faced. In an attempt to overcome some of these challenges, this study conducted to identify the awareness level of competency-based learning among EFL faculty and to assess the extent to which faculty teaching practices, as well as EFL course descriptions, are supportive to competency-based learning at the NBU? The descriptiveanalytical method was used in this study. The study sample included all faculty members (both male & female) teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at the NBU during the academic year 2020–2021. To achieve the objectives of this study, a self-report questionnaire was used to elicit information about NBU faculty awareness level of competency-based learning. The questionnaire was also used to assess faculty views regarding their teaching practices and regarding EFL course descriptions used. Descriptive statistics were used in the present study. Results showed that overall awareness level of competency-based learning among NBU faculty is medium. Results also showed that the teaching practices of EFL faculty at the NBU, concerning all elements of competency-based learning are generally low and do not support competency-based learning. Moreover, results showed that course descriptions used at the NBU do not support competency-based learning. In light of these results, educational implications and some recommendations for raising faculty awareness of competency-based learning and for competency-based course design were discussed.


Introduction
It is commonly agreed that education is a crucial factor that influences one's situation in the labor market upon graduation. Education prepares learners for future occupations by equipping them with required skills. Yet, with the rapid appearance and creation of new jobs and occupations, nowadays, that need innovative knowledge and skills, it becomes difficult or even impossible for educational institutions, to cater for the increasing needs of the labor market (Małgorzata, Justyna, & Michał, 2020;Ionescu, 2012). Supporting this, Gáthy (2013) puts it clear that "higher education usually does not meet the requirements of the labor market and, what is more, it actually contributes to the unemployment of young graduates" (cited in Varga, Szira, Bardos, & Hajos, 2016, pp. 95-96). Furthermore, there is an extensively reported complaint among employers of the shortage in employees who are capable of transferring their acquired knowledge to solve work problems and make the proper decisions (Rodriguez & Gallardo, 2017).
Accordingly, a shift is needed, in educational paradigms, from traditional time-based to outcome-based or competency-based which concentrates on the type of knowledge, skills, values and behaviors required for achieving the desired level of performance in a particular job or activity in the labor market. That shift which focuses on innovation in higher education, is one of the most important elements of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Despite the willingness on the part of universities, stakeholders, as well as employers, to implement competency-based learning, little is known about how to incorporate it into bachelor degree programs (Dragoo & Barrows, 2016;Bosman & Arumugam, 2019). Furthermore, there is a significant lack of peer-reviewed literature on CBL curriculum design (Torres, Brett, Cox & Greller, 2018;Jennifer, Ellen & Jessica, 2017;Ryan & Cox, 2017). Hence, this study sought to investigate competency-based learning implementation at the NBU and the extent to which program study plans, as well as faculty teaching practices, support competency-based learning.
The study sought to answer the following question: 1. What is the level of awareness of competency-based learning among EFL faculty at the NBU? 2. To what extent do EFL faculty teaching practices support competency-based learning at the NBU? 3. To what extent do EFL course descriptions support competency-based learning at the NBU?
The study sought to achieve the following objectives: 1. Identify the level of awareness of competency-based learning among EFL faculty at the NBU. 2. Identify the extent to which faculty teaching practices support competency-based learning at the NBU. 3. Identify the extent to which EFL course descriptions support competency-based learning at the NBU?
The significance of this study stems from the importance of its problem. Core competency research, as one of the most urgent research priorities at the NBU. Competencybased learning has become a crucial issue in university education. Policymakers, as well as those responsible for education, have come to agree the traditional time-based systems of education and ineffective teaching practices are to be replaced by a new and adequate educational paradigm that has the potential of lowering costs and help in graduating strong employable labor forces for Investigating Competency-Based Learning Implementation Hassanein Arab World English Journal www.awej.org ISSN: 2229-9327 5 the increasing requirements of the labor market. However, there are still many challenges in implementing competency-based learning that need to be tackled and this study is an attempt that potentially contribute to overcome these challenges.

Competency-Based Learning
With the change in higher education institutions, as required by the digitization of the society, from being centers of "knowledge dissemination to the core of forming specific competencies " that individuals need for their professional, as well as their social lives, competency-based learning has become a necessity nowadays (Kostikova, Viediernikova, Holubnycha, & Miasoiedova, 2019, p. 118). Competency-based learning, especially in postgraduate education, represents a change from a mainly time-based model to an outcomebased one which is concerned with the attainment of individual competencies that define the knowledge, skills and attitudes required by a particular specialty (Evan, et al., 2020). This method of instruction deviates from setting time limits, during which students are asked to learn a given amount of knowledge and allows students to proceed in learning at their own pace. Thus, the learning objective changes from attaining an increased quantity of knowledge which can be delivered along one semester or quarter, to making sure that students master pre-determined learning outcomes before advancing to the following level (Henri, Johnson, & Nepal, 2017).
For Parson, Childs, & Elzie (2018) competency-based learning has grown significantly as a method that clearly connects skills of a particular profession and its protocols to the curriculum. In competency-based curriculum design, choices are based on the knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to be proficient in their professions upon graduation. According to , competency-based education is urgently required nowadays for two reasons; firstly, it reorients the process of education toward the established mastery and application of gained knowledge and skills in the real world outside the educational institutions. In so doing, a bridge is built between academics and employers that leads to a better understanding of the type of knowledge and skills required by students to succeed in workplaces in their real life. Furthermore, competency-based education offers a means for helping quality and affordability to be found side by side in higher education.
Competency-based learning, for Henri, et al. (2017), is "an outcome-based, studentcentered form of instruction" (p. 607). According to that system of instruction, students are allowed to proceed to more advanced tasks upon mastering the essential pre-determined requirements of knowledge and skills. McDonald (2018) claims that competency-based higher education can be attractive to students because it enables them to master, often at a speed that suits them, the competencies essentially required for future careers.

Focus is on Demonstrable Competencies
Unlike traditional or outcomes-based education, the focus in competency-based learning is on the demonstration of mastery of pre-determined and identified specific competencies and skills (Parson, Childs, & Elzie, 2018). The student is assumed "do" not just "know". These competencies should derive from societal needs analysis and reflect vocational central problems and essential knowledge and skills students need after graduation.

From Credit to Competency-Based System
In a competency-based learning system, students are allowed to progress forward at their own pace regardless of age, seat time or other students. Once a student demonstrates mastery of identified competencies and necessary skills, s/he is free to move ahead. Student demonstrated mastery of academic content is assessed against established benchmarks (McDonald, 2018).

From Faculty to Student-Centered
In a competency-based learning system, a radical change in the roles of both faculty and students is done. Faculty no longer serve as knowledge transmitters responsible for lecturing over a specified number of hours and weeks. Their roles change from that of "sages on the stages" to "guides on the sides." They work with their students as facilitators who lead discussions, guide their learning, answer their questions and help them apply the knowledge they acquire. On the other hand, student roles change from passive recipients to proactive knowledgeproducing ones (Egbert & Shahrokni, 2019). Thanks to the practical reusable learning resources available any time when required, students in competency-based learning are responsible for their own learning and for moving forward toward mastery.

From Traditional Grading to Ongoing Competency-Based Assessment
Instead of being at set points in time throughout the academic year, assessment in a competency-based learning is a criterion-referenced ongoing process which is achieved via skillspecific rubrics. It aims to give students actual information on their progress towards mastery of target competencies and essential skills required to move ahead to the following study level (Fowler, 2018). Assessment in competency-based learning is a valid and reliable process that can take several forms.

Personalized Learning via Faculty Availability
In a competency-based learning system, students receive just-in-time differentiated help according to their needs and abilities. Faculty should be ready to step in when their individual students need help. Faculty work with struggling students individually and help them draw on their strengths to help them move forward (Ralf, et al., 2020). In so doing, they offer them personalized learning and equal opportunities to succeed. Faculty should not wait for students requesting for help. Moreover, faculty should be wholly aware of each individual student's progress.

Transparency
In competency-based learning, transparency is a fundamental principle. Target competencies and skills must be clear to the students from the very beginning. A clear definition of these competencies should be given to the students. They should know what they are expected to master and demonstrate. Also, they should know how to master these competencies and how Arab World English Journal www.awej.org ISSN: 2229-9327 7 their work for each competency will be assessed. To be aware of their progress towards mastery, a detailed rubric for each competency with its observable outcomes should be provided to the students. Moreover, students should understand well how the target competencies will benefit them in their future life after graduation (Sturgis & Casey, 2018).

Related Studies
To connect this study with the work already done for attaining an overall relevance and purpose, a review of related studies is presented here: Evan, et al. (2020) conducted a study that aimed to identify needs of the faculty to support the change to Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) by using an online survey which was designed to collect data from faculty members about their knowledge of the principles of CBME and the famous evaluation methods. The survey was also designed to elicit information about barriers to the application of CBME in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs across Canada. Results showed that although CBME is considered a positive change by most faculty members, some knowledge gaps were there among faculty members about CBME. Results also showed that the most significant barriers to the application of CBME comprised a lack of training in assessment, financial inferences and time restrictions.
Using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, the study of Małgorzata, et al. (2020) aimed to investigate and compare the opinions of employers and prospective employees on the required competencies of the possible labor market members. The study used interviews of recruiters (on behalf of potential employers) and a survey of university alumnae (prospective employees). Results of the study showed that both the Polish alumnae as well as the employers identify the shortages of professional competencies required in the labor market. Employers also believed that the alumnae are not well prepared to use the acquired theoretical knowledge in practice.
The study of Kostikova, et al. (2019) was done to investigate the impact of a competency-based learning model for foreign language teaching on the successful accomplishment of the first certificate in English. It was showed that competency-based approach to teaching a foreign language for specific purposes is the most relevant type. Using a mixed-methods approach Kabombwe and Mulenga (2019) investigated the implementation of the competency-based teaching and learning among history teachers in in Lusaka district, Zambia. Results of the study showed that 67% of the participants did not understand the concept of competency-based learning. Results also showed that teachers were not using competencybased approaches because of a lack of awareness and skills required for implementing competency-based approaches. Torres, Brett, Cox and Greller (2018), in a qualitative case study, described how competency-based education was implemented in three areas in New Hampshire. Results of their study showed that despite the improvement achieved over six years at each area, competencybased education had not been wholly implemented as a result of many challenges among which were inertial, practical, regulating and political ones. Jennifer, et al. (2017) aimed to prove how competency-based courses could be designed and implemented, in traditional educational environments in both online and classroom-based courses. They conducted a case study of a Arab World English Journal www.awej.org ISSN: 2229-9327 8 competency-based learning 'introduction to psychology course' in a private university in the Western United States. The study offered two competency-based units; one of them was online and the other was in the classroom. Eleven undergraduate participants attended the online unit and 24 attended the classroom-based unit of the course. The course design was presented for both units, including intended learning outcomes, projects and score assignments, teaching methods, together with student and teacher reflections on the intended learning outcomes.

Population and Sample
The study population included all faculty members (both male & female) teaching EFL, during the academic year 2020-2021, at the NBU, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To reach valid and reliable conclusions, a random sample of 151 faculty was used in this study. After rejecting questionnaires with missing data and improperly answered ones, one hundred and six (106) questionnaire data entered for final analysis.

Study Instruments
After a thorough review of related studies as well as literature which was written on competency-based education (Evan, et al., 2020;Małgorzata, et al., 2020;Kostikova, et al., 2019;Torres, et al., 2018;Jennifer, et al., 2017;Ryan & Cox, 2017; among others) a 46-item questionnaire, was prepared for identifying NBU faculty awareness level of competency-based learning as well as their views regarding their teaching practices and regarding EFL course descriptions. The questionnaire uses a five-point Likert scale system ranging from 1 to 5 (5= strongly agree, 4= agree, 3= neither agree nor disagree, 2= disagree and 1= strongly disagree). The maximum score on this scale is 230, whereas the minimum score is 46.
In this questionnaire, participants were asked to choose the option that actually expresses how much they agree or disagree with the different statements about competency-based learning. The questionnaire, in its final form, consisted of seven parts: awareness of CBL (items 1-10), progression through demonstration of mastery of competencies (items 11-14), personalized instruction (items 15-21), flexible assessment (items 22-25), improvement of skills and positive dispositions (holistic development) (items 26-32), transparency (items 33-37) and course description (items 38-46).

Validity, Internal Consistency and Reliability of the Questionnaire Validity
The questionnaire's validity was established by showing it to a jury of experts in the research area who made their comments regarding the statement of the questionnaire's items, its format and its suitability to the participants of this study. Keeping the feedback from the jury members in mind, statements that did not go well with the questionnaire's objectives were removed.

The Internal Consistency
The questionnaire was administered to a pilot sample consisting of 20 randomly selected faculty who did not participate in the sample of the study. The Pearson's Coefficient was used to find the correlation of each statement with the total degree of the dimension it represents utilizing the software Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS): The questionnaire's internal consistency was also assessed by calculating the correlation coefficient between the degree of each dimension and the total degree of the questionnaire as shown in the following table: It is clear from table two that the values of the correlation coefficients between the dimensions of the questionnaire and its total degree are high and statistically significant at 0.01 level. This affirms the availability of internal consistency in the questionnaire.

Reliability
The questionnaire's reliability was examined in two different ways: by using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and by using the Spearman-Brown formula.  Table three shows that according to both Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Spearman-Brown formula, the reliability coefficient of the study questionnaire for all dimensions was more significant than the acceptable percentage. Besides, the reliability coefficient of the total score of the questionnaire was also superior than the required percentage. Overall reliability coefficient was 0.966 as calculated by Cronbach's alpha and 0.983 as calculated by Spearman-Brown's formula. This indicates that the study questionnaire enjoys reasonable reliability.
Participants' responses to this questionnaire were judged according to the following judgment criterion:

Results of the Study
Results reached after data analysis are presented in this part. Descriptive statistics were used in this study by using the latest version of the software Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).

Answer to the First Question
As stated earlier in this study, the first question asked: 'what is the level of awareness of competency-based learning among EFL faculty at the NBU? To answer this question, participants' responses to the first dimension of the questionnaire are presented:  Table five displays that the awareness level of competency-based learning among EFL faculty at the NBU is generally medium with an obtained mean score of 3.217 and with a standard deviation of 0.874. The table shows that faculty at the NBU have a moderate level of awareness of competency-based learning with the knowledge that "competencies that should be based on a practical understanding of basic concepts, knowledge application to real-life situations and mastery of related important skills" being at the peak of their awareness (rank 1) and with the knowledge that "when talking about competencies we are referring to the essential skills and the knowledge a student must learn to graduate not the required credits s/he has to complete" being at the base of their awareness (rank 10).

Answer to the Second Question
As stated earlier in this study, the second question asked: 'to what extent do EFL faculty teaching practices support competency-based learning at the NBU? To answer this question, 3 In CBL, course competencies must be specified earlier and put as specific topics and activities that constitute the learning objectives to be achieved by each student. In CBL, several opportunities should be given to students to show their mastery of essential course material.
3.98 1 .862 4 High 8 In CBL, students can demonstrate their mastery of each competency in several ways i.e., more than one assignment, more than one assessment, or more than one exam. participants' responses to the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth dimensions of the questionnaire are presented: Table 6. Means and standard deviations of the responses of the study sample to the questionnaire's items in the dimension of progression through demonstration of mastery of competencies.
Table six reveals that teaching practices of EFL faculty at the NBU, concerning progression through demonstration of mastery of competencies, are generally low with an obtained mean score of 2.132 and with a standard deviation of 0.900. These practices as such do not support competency-based learning. The table shows that "identifying where each student is through regular assessment of students and by means of observational progress reports on learning" came at the top of their teaching practices (rank one) in this element of competency-based learning. On the other hand, "allowing a student to move forward when s/he demonstrates a clear understanding of the material, proves his/her ability to apply that understanding in real-life situations and shows how s/he developed essential skills" came as the least practiced (rank four) in this element.  Table seven indicates that teaching practices of EFL faculty at the NBU, concerning personalized instruction, are generally low with an obtained mean score of 2.049 and with a standard deviation of 0.857. These practices as such do not support competency-based learning. The table shows that "working with students individually or in small groups" came at the top of their teaching practices (rank one) in this element of competency-based learning. On the other hand, "teaching students and supporting them on the basis of their separate strengths and weaknesses and giving them all the same chances as individuals to succeed" came as the least practiced (rank seven) in this element.  Table eight indicates that teaching practices of EFL faculty at the NBU, concerning personalized instruction, are generally low with an obtained mean score of 2.121 and with a standard deviation of 2.461. These practices as such do not support competency-based learning. The table shows that "giving students several opportunities to demonstrate mastery of each course competency" came at the top of their teaching practices (rank one) in this element of competency-based learning. On the other hand, "allowing students to demonstrate their mastery of each course competency in several ways" came as the least practiced (rank four) in this element. Table 9. Means and standard deviations of the responses of the study sample to the questionnaire's items in the dimension of improvement of skills and positive dispositions.
Table nine reveals that teaching practices of EFL faculty at the NBU, concerning improvement of skills and positive dispositions (holistic development), are generally low with an obtained mean score of 2.151 and with a standard deviation of 0.868. These practices as such do not support competency-based learning. The table shows that "encouraging students to help each other even after class time and outside of the class" came at the top of their teaching practices assignment, more than one assessment, or more than one exam.

4
My students are given several opportunities to demonstrate mastery of each course competency. 16 (rank one) in this element of competency-based learning. On the other hand, "explaining to students how to accept others and treat them with respect, even when they are different from them or they disagree with them" came as the least practiced (rank seven) in this element. Table 10. Means and standard deviations of the responses of the study sample to the questionnaire's items in the dimension of transparency. Table 10 demonstrates that teaching practices of EFL faculty at the NBU, concerning improvement of skills and positive dispositions or holistic development, are generally low with an obtained mean score of 2.006 and with a standard deviation of 0.826. These practices as such do not support competency-based learning. The table shows that "defining mastery of the course competencies for students from the very beginning" came at the top of their teaching practices (rank one) in this element of competency-based learning. On the other hand, "helping students to understand how the course competencies will help them in their future life after graduation" came as the least practiced (rank five) in this element.
Thus, the teaching practices of EFL faculty at the NBU, concerning all elements of competency-based learning are generally low. These practices as such do not support competency-based learning.

Answer to the Third Question
As stated earlier in this study, the third question asked: 'to what extent do EFL course descriptions support competency-based learning at the NBU? To answer this question, participants' responses to the seventh dimensions of the questionnaire are presented: No .  Table 11 shows that EFL faculty at the NBU consider course descriptions at the NBU are not supportive of competency-based learning. They rated them as being generally low with an obtained mean score of 1.873 and with a standard deviation of 0.781. The table shows that "providing clear instructions on how and when to access the course faculty for academic support" was the most rated as supportive of competency-based learning by those faculty. It came at the first rank (rank one). On the other hand, "showing clear links, if any, with other courses that contribute to developing the same course competencies" was rated as the least supportive of competency-based learning (rank nine).

Discussion
In general, this study attempted to identify EFL faculty awareness level of competencybased learning and the extent to which their teaching practices, as well as EFL course descriptions used, support competency-based education. Thus, the results and conclusion of this study are hoped to help in the adequate implementation of Competency-Based Learning at the NBU, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As shown by the results of this study, the overall awareness level of competency-based learning among NBU faculty is medium. It seems that they had a shaky knowledge of competency-based learning. They failed to show a deeper understanding of the principles of competency-based learning. Their pedagogical beliefs seem to be oriented to the traditional fixed-time system of instruction. In this respect, Curry and Docherty (2017) put it clear that all of us aspire to have highly qualified graduates, equipped with innovative knowledge and competencies, capable of responding to the increasing needs of the labor market in a rapidly changing world. Yet, many of us struggle with the awareness, skills and attitudes required to define, identify, deliver, measure and modify those essential competencies across learning situations and into teaching professions. Therefore, competency-based learning forces us to change our accustomed pedagogical beliefs and behaviors.
This result is in line with the results of the study of Kafyulilo, Rugambuka and Moses (2012) which concluded that most teachers in Tanzania had difficulties in explaining some competency based concepts. This result also confirms the results of Kabombwe' and Mulenga's (2019) study which showed that most teachers surveyed were not conversant with what competency-based learning is.
Results also showed that the teaching practices of EFL faculty at the NBU, concerning all elements of competency-based learning are generally low. Their teaching practices as such do not support competency-based learning. They do not support any of the elements of competencybased learning mentioned in this study (progression through demonstration of mastery of competencies, personalized instruction, flexible assessment, holistic development and transparency). These results are consistent with those of Benjamin (2014) and Kabombwe and Mulenga (2019) which showed that most teachers seem not to implement competency-based learning approach and that they were still using teacher-centered methods compatible with the traditional content-based curriculum.
Keeping in mind the previous result, this result is an expected one. The teaching practices of NBU faculty are expected not to be supportive of competency-based learning as they showed shaky awareness of competency-based learning principles. This is not surprising since it is assumed that good performance is a result of good thought/knowledge (Curry & Docherty, 2017). Supporting this, Kabombwe and Mulenga (2019) claim that a lack of knowledge of competency-based learning among teachers hinders successful implementation.
Results also showed that the course descriptions at the NBU do not support competencybased learning. They do not reflect particular specifications required for competency-based learning. For example, courses at the NBU were not built around specific competencies, identified through a partnership between NBU faculty and employers in the labor market and not adjusted to student learning needs. Besides, detailed rubrics required for rigorous ongoing Arab World English Journal www.awej.org ISSN: 2229-9327 19 assessments for measuring students' mastery of each competency were lacking in the course descriptions at the NBU.
In this respect, Curry and Docherty (2017) assure that competency-based learning study plans must be routinely designed and pre-learning assessments should be done in order for recognizing the knowledge and skills already possessed by students for minimizing the amount of time spent on areas already mastered. However, Simonds, Behrens and Holzbauer (2017) assert that there is lack of literature on competency-based course design because designing competency-based courses is highly time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Conclusion
Paving the way for adequate research-informed implementation of competency-based learning, this study was performed to investigate the awareness level of competency-based learning among EFL faculty and the extent to which their teaching practices, as well as EFL course descriptions used, support competency-based learning at the NBU, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The overall awareness level of competency-based learning among NBU faculty proved medium and was reflected in their teaching practices. This indicates that those faculty are not sufficiently aware of the principles of competency-based learning. It is necessary, therefore, for the NBU to help raise the awareness of its faculty before embarking in the implementation of competency-based learning. This can be achieved through holding orientation seminars, awareness-raising meetings and training sessions for those faculty on the approaches of competency-based learning. Moreover, course descriptions used by scientific departments as such proved not to be supportive to competency-based learning therefore, a thorough review of program study plans and course design at the NBU is badly needed before implementing competency-based learning.
Further research, in needed to identify competencies required by students after graduation through a partnership with employers in the labor-market. More research is also needed to investigate the potential challenges of competency-based learning implementation at the NBU. Besides, further descriptive research is also need offer the practical ways of training faculty in competency-based approaches and competency-based course design.