Algeria Praises Success of English Teaching Program in Elementary Schools
More than a year after Algeria launched a pilot program to teach English in elementary schools, the country is expanding it, marking a significant shift in former French colonies across Africa.
English Education Expansion
This fall, third and fourth-grade students will have two 45-minute English classes every week. The nation is also developing new teacher training programs and considering more changes in the future.
Algeria’s Education Minister, Abdelkrim Belabed, calls the move a strategic success and a significant part of the country’s new education policy.
The Rise of English
English is the world’s most widely spoken language, dominates the internet, and is crucial in business and science. As France’s influence declines in Africa, more countries, including Algeria, are adopting English as their primary foreign language.
Mali recently removed French from its list of official languages, and Morocco now mandates English classes in high schools.
Algeria, with its nearly 15 million French speakers out of 44 million, frames this change as a practical shift, emphasizing the language’s importance in science and technology.
Historical Complexities
Algeria’s shift to English has long been a divisive topic. Many believe it should have happened years ago, but French-educated elites in the country resisted change.
Growing Tensions
Tensions between France and Algeria have escalated in recent years due to various disagreements, including immigration, extradition, and colonial history.
Algeria plans to expand its English program to fifth grade next year but will continue to teach French for three hours each week in elementary schools.
The path to mastering English remains a gradual process, requiring more than just adding classes, according to experts.
Pushback Against French
The official titles of government ministries in Algeria are slowly transitioning from French to English. Even French President Emmanuel Macron spoke in English during his trip to Algiers last year, reflecting a broader trend away from French in Algeria and other former colonies.