Proposing English as the First Foreign Language in the Algerian Educational System

Abstract

These white papers bring to light the education system in Algeria as it calls for the introduction of English as the first foreign language rather than French that reflects the colonial subordination. This research aims at discussing the different phases the Algerian education system went through until the present day, as well as the reforms made to improve the educational situation in Algeria, and the effects of these reforms on maintaining the Arabic language as a mother tongue and the face of the Algerian character. The need of this universal language did not come out of nowhere, the strategic location and the glorious history of Algeria as well as the colossal importance of this international language, all these factors, play a role in the necessity to adopt this universal parlance. The main motivation behind choosing this topic is to demonstrate the reasons that led to the present situation of education in Algeria, and explain the need of English in the educational system and its prospects. To accomplish so, a set of questions and instruments were required in order to attain valid answers, besides the research tools which are the questionnaire and the interview. The finding of the work in hand, shows that the sample being asked, involving the Faculty of Letters and Foreign languages teachers and learners, are in favor of this lingua-franca to be the first foreign language in Algeria, but in contrast, they are aware that this shift is impossible due to many realistic obstacles mainly the French dominance.