The evolution of English usage among Algerian youth: Analyzing (2019–2025) and forecasting (2025–2031) growth rate, and identifying driving factors

Abstract

The phenomenon of English spread is becoming increasingly observable around the world, which is a situation that applies to Algeria. In light of this, there is a recent rise in studies that attempt to capture this spread in the Algerian landscapes and educational language policy. Yet, since the English language is affecting those sides of Algeria, it is high time to investigate its influence on a more social level in speech, especially the speech of the society’s portion known for linguistic changes and innovations, and which will shape the speech in the future. Therefore, the present dissertation attempts to investigate the evolution of English usage among the Algerian youth through analysing and calculating its growth rate between 2019 and 2025 while uncovering some trends, and then forecasted it between 2025 and 2031 while identifying the driving factors behind the phenomenon. To reach these objectives, the study relied on a concurrent embedded mixed-method approach, where data were collected through two instruments using a youth speech corpus and an online questionnaire. The results of this research revealed growth in English use among the youth of Algeria and provided the growth rate percentage from 2019 up to 2025. Moreover, it succeeded in forecasting the possible growth rate within a scale of two scenario-based conditions. Those findings were supported by participants’ attitudes and expectations. Furthermore, the persistent nature of the factors discovered to be the most influential based on the sample view indicates that their impact is likely to continue.