Key facts
- English is now the first foreign language taught in Algerian primary schools, starting in the third grade.
- French will be taught from the fourth grade, alongside English.
- President Tebboune views English as the language of science and essential for global scientific research.
- Concerns exist regarding the availability of qualified English teachers and adequate training.
- The shift away from French is seen by some as an act of sovereignty and a rejection of colonial legacy.
English is increasingly being prioritized in Algeria's education system, with its introduction in the third grade of primary school marking a significant shift away from French, the language that dominated the country's education since independence in 1962. This change, championed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who views English as the language of science and global research, aims to equip students with skills for better study and job prospects.
The Algerian education minister announced that English will be the first foreign language taught from the third grade, with French introduced in the fourth grade. The number of teaching hours for English in secondary school will also increase, and it will carry a higher coefficient in end-of-cycle exams. While the government plans to phase out French in medical studies by 2025 in favor of English, concerns are being raised about the practical implementation of these changes.
Teachers' associations, like the dissolved Cnapeste, have previously expressed doubts about the readiness and training of teachers for the expanded English curriculum. Parents are also voicing worries about the availability of qualified English teachers and the potential impact on their children's education, with some lamenting their own limited English proficiency. Experts like Salah Derradji and Rabeh Sebaa question Algeria's capacity to implement such a swift transition, citing a lack of qualified trainers and resources, and calling for more thoughtful planning.
The move also touches upon Algeria's complex relationship with its French colonial past. Some see the downgrading of French as an assertion of sovereignty, particularly amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France. The debate highlights a broader societal discussion about national identity and the role of foreign languages in a globalized world.