Early English Instruction in Primary Education in Algeria
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Published:
Dec 10, 2025
Keywords:
Algeria, English, EFL, National Languages, 3rd Grade, Young Learners
Main Article Content
Abstract
The initial provision of English in Algeria in the first junior school year up to university level began in the 1960s, but later attempts to introduce it as early as the fourth year of primary school met challenging views. This paper discusses the feasibility of introducing English in Algerian 3rd grade primary education, attempting to shed light on the challenges of English provision in a multilingual context from cultural, psychololgical, and educational perspectives. It examines both supportive arguments and opposing viewpoints on early English instruction in three North African Francophone Arabic-speaking countries, with a focus on Algeria. The article concludes with practical recommendations for a less problematic integration of English in Algeria’s complex linguistic situation.
Article Details
How to Cite
RAOUD, N. (2025). Early English Instruction in Primary Education in Algeria. ALTRALANG Journal, 7(2), 302-315. https://doi.org/10.52919/altralang.v7i2.589
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LICENSE: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license
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References
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• Hargreaves, L., Cunningham, M., Hansen, A., MacIntyre, D., Oliver, C., & Pell, T. (2007). The Status of Teachers and the Teaching Profession in England: Views from Inside and Outside the Profession. Synthesis for the Final report of the teacher status project. Department for Education and Skills.
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• Hayes, D. (2014). Factors Influencing Success in Teaching English in State Primary Schools. British Council: TeachingEnglish. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk
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• Journal Officiel de la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire (JORADP) (1996). SGG Algérie (joradp.dz)
• Kaplan, R. B., Baldauf, R. B., & Kamwangamalu, N. (2011). Why educational language plans sometimes fail. Current Issues in Language Planning, 12, 105–124.
• Kasraoui, S. (2023). Jazouli’s English Speech in Paris Sets New Paradigm for Morocco’s Foreign Policy. Morocco World News. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/02/354037/jazoulis-english-speech-in-paris-sets-new-paradigm-for-moroccos-foreign-policy
• Kirkpatrick, R. (2017). English language education policy in the Middle East and North Africa. Springer International Publishing. https://www.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46778-8
• Krashen, S. D. (1981). Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning. Pergamon Press.
• Leclerc, J. Algérie: Situation démographique et démolinguistique. In L'Aménagement Linguistique dans le Monde. TLFQ. http://www.axl.cefan.ulaval.ca/afrique/algerie-1demo.htm
• Lenneberg, E. H. (1967). Biological foundations of language. John Wiley & Sons.
• Lähdesmäki, S and Jousmäki, H (2011). National survey on the English language in Finland: Uses, meanings and attitudes. Studies in Variation, Contacts and Change in English, eSeries. https://varieng.helsinki.fi/series/volumes/05/evarieng-vol5.pdf
• Mahmoudi, M. (2019). The Role of English Language Teaching in Moroccan Primary Education. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 7(2), 129-135.
• Martin, C. (2000). An Analysis of National and International Research on the Provision of Modern Foreign Languages in Primary Schools. London: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
• Merzougui, N. (2019). Teaching English as First Foreign Language in Algerian Primary Schools: The Case of Fourth and Fifth Primary School. Unpublished Master Dissertation. University of Ain Temouchent.
• Miliani, M. (2002). Le français dans les écrits des lycéens: langue étrangère ou Sabir? Insaniyat Revue Algérienne d'Anthropologie et de Sciences Sociales, 17-18, 79-95. http://insaniyat.revues.org/8467 .
• Miliani, M. (2005). Languages policy in Algeria: Between Convergence and Diversity. In M. A.
• Majundar & M. Saad (Eds.), Transition and Development in Algeria (Economic, Social and Cultural Challenges). UK: Intellect Books. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298647654_Languages_policy_in_Algeria_Between_convergence_and_diversity
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• Nunan, D. (2003). The impact of English as a global language on educational policies and practices in the Asia-Pacific region. TESOL Quarterly, 37, 589–613.
• Omnibus Marketing Research & Consultancies. (2021). Shift to English in Morocco. British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.ma/sites/default/files/shift_to_english_in_morocco_16042021_v2.pdf
• Ridge, N. (2014). Education and the Reverse Gender Divide in the Gulf States; Embracing the Global, Ignoring the Local. Teachers College Press.
• Rixon, S. (2013). British Council survey of policy and practice in primary English language teaching worldwide. London: British Council.
• Song, J-J. (2011). English as an official language in South Korea: Global English or social malady? Language Problems & Language Planning 35, 35–55. https://www.doi.org/10.1075/iplp.35.1.03son
• Soukehal, R. (2011). Les Cahiers de l'Orient,3 (103), 47-60. https://www.cairn.info/revue-les-cahiers-de-l-orient-2011-3-page-47.htm
• Third-Year Primary School Curriculum (2018). المخططات السنوية -جميع المواد - السنة الثالثة من التعليم إلابتدائي https://education.gov.dz/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/plan-ann-3AP-AR.pdf
• World’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills (The) (2023). EF English Proficiency Index. https://www.ef-australia.com.au/epi/
• Abd-Kadir, J & Hardman, F (2007). The discourse of whole class teaching: A comparative study of Kenyan and Nigerian primary English lessons. Language and Education 21: 1–15.
• Arredondas, M. (2023). Morocco starts teaching English in public schools. Atalayar. https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/society/morocco-starts-teaching-english-in-public-schools/20231128170000194166.html
• Bahloul, M. (2001). English in Carthage or the “Tenth Crusade”. Political Discourse- Theories of Colonialism and Postcolonialism. http://www.postcolonialweb.org/poldiscourse/casablanca/bahloul2.html
• Baldauf, RB, Kaplan, RB, Kamwangamalu, N and Bryant, P (2011). Success or failure of primary second/foreign language programmes in Asia: what do the data tell us? Current Issues in Language Planning 12, 309–323.
• Bellalem, F. (2014). English Language Policy in Algeria (1990 – 1999). (Kindle Edition).
• Bialystok, E. (2011). Bilingualism in development: Language, literacy, and cognition (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Blinda, B. (2023). Morocco seeks to expand its international reach with English-language news broadcasting. Atalayar,16 May 2023, 6:00. https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/society/morocco-seeks-expand-its-international-reach-english-language-news-broadcasting/20230505141502184189.html
• Bourdieu, P., & Passeron, J.-C. (1977). Reproduction in Education, Society and Culture. Sage.
• Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education (pp. 241-258). Greenwood.
• BP (British Petroleum). (2022). bp to sell its business in Algeria to Eni. https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/what-we-do/bp-worldwide/bp-in-algeria.html
• British Embassy Tunis. (2018). Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ukintunisia?locale=fr_FR
• Burridge, T. (2010). Why do Finland’s schools get the best results? BBC World News America, Helsinki. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8601207.stm
• Butler, Y. G. (2004). What level of English proficiency do elementary school teachers need to attain to teach EFL? Case studies from Korea, Taiwan and Japan. TESOL Qarterly, 38(2).
• Constitution de la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire (2016). https://www.joradp.dzConstitution/trv/fcons.pdf
• Cordel, A.S. (2014). La diffusion de l’anglais dans le monde: le cas de l’Algérie. Linguistique. Université de Grenoble.
• Cummins, J. (2000). Language, power, and pedagogy: Bilingual children in the crossfire (2nd ed.). Multilingual Matters.
• DeKeyser, R.M. (2003). The Robustness of Critical Period Effects in Second Language Learning. Studies in Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge University Press.
• El Atti, B. (2022). THE NEW ARAB. https://www.newarab.com/
• Elimadi, I. (2024). Challenges of Teaching English for Specific Purposes in Morocco: The case of Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sick, University Hassan II, Casablanca. International Journal for Simulation and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization, ffhal-04232353. https://hal.science/hal-04232353
• Enever, J. (2011a). Early language learning in Europe project. Final report. Public part. Brussels: Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency, European Commission. www.ellieresearch.eu/docs/2007_1994_FR_ELLiE-public.pdf
• Enever, J. (Ed.). (2011b). ELLiE, Early Language Learning in Europe. British Council: Teaching English.
• Enever, J. (2011c). Conclusions. In J. Enever (Ed.), ELLiE, Early Language Learning in Europe, 145-151.
• Enever, J. (2011d). Policy. In J. Enever (Ed.), ELLiE, Early Language Learning in Europe . British Council: TeachingEnglish, 23–42.
• English Curriculum, Second year secondary school, All streams. (2006). The National Algerian Curriculum Commission. https://education.gov.dz/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Anglais-2AS-1.pdf
• Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (Eni) (n.d). https://www.eni.com/en-IT/home.html
• Fantini, A. (2009). Developing intercultural competence: Expanding the goal of foreign language education. In A. M. Stoke (Ed.), JALT2008 Conference Proceedings. JALT.
• Giannikas, C.N. (2013). Early Language Learning within a Greek Regional Context. [Unpublished Ph.D thesis]. London Metropolitan University.
• Giannikas, C. N. (2014). The Optimum Conditions of Foreign Languages in Primary Education. Learning Languages, 19 (2). https://www.academia.edu/8148149/
• Gika, A-S (1997). Modern foreign languages in primary schools: A comparison of four national schemes. English Language Teacher Education and Development, 3 (1), 45–71. www.elted.net/issues/volume-3/SISSY.pd
• Hargreaves, L., Cunningham, M., Hansen, A., MacIntyre, D., Oliver, C., & Pell, T. (2007). The Status of Teachers and the Teaching Profession in England: Views from Inside and Outside the Profession. Synthesis for the Final report of the teacher status project. Department for Education and Skills.
• Hayes, D. (2008). In-service teacher education in primary ELT. In A. S. Mackenzie (Ed.), Primary Innovations: Selected Papers from the 2nd Regional Seminar, Bangkok. British Council: Teaching English. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk
• Hayes, D. (2014). Factors Influencing Success in Teaching English in State Primary Schools. British Council: TeachingEnglish. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk
• Highest-Earning Oil and Gas Companies in Algeria (The 10). (n.d.). https://afrikta.com/top-oil-gas-companies-in-algeria/
• Huetter, A. (2023). Why are the Dutch so good at speaking English? Dutch Review. https://dutchreview.com/culture/why-are-dutchies-so-good-at-speaking-english/
• Johnson, J. S., & Newport, E. L. (1989). Critical period effects in second language learning: The influence of maturational state on the acquisition of English as a second language. Cognitive Psychology 21(1), 60-99. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0010028589900030
• Journal Officiel de la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire (JORADP) (1996). SGG Algérie (joradp.dz)
• Kaplan, R. B., Baldauf, R. B., & Kamwangamalu, N. (2011). Why educational language plans sometimes fail. Current Issues in Language Planning, 12, 105–124.
• Kasraoui, S. (2023). Jazouli’s English Speech in Paris Sets New Paradigm for Morocco’s Foreign Policy. Morocco World News. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/02/354037/jazoulis-english-speech-in-paris-sets-new-paradigm-for-moroccos-foreign-policy
• Kirkpatrick, R. (2017). English language education policy in the Middle East and North Africa. Springer International Publishing. https://www.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46778-8
• Krashen, S. D. (1981). Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning. Pergamon Press.
• Leclerc, J. Algérie: Situation démographique et démolinguistique. In L'Aménagement Linguistique dans le Monde. TLFQ. http://www.axl.cefan.ulaval.ca/afrique/algerie-1demo.htm
• Lenneberg, E. H. (1967). Biological foundations of language. John Wiley & Sons.
• Lähdesmäki, S and Jousmäki, H (2011). National survey on the English language in Finland: Uses, meanings and attitudes. Studies in Variation, Contacts and Change in English, eSeries. https://varieng.helsinki.fi/series/volumes/05/evarieng-vol5.pdf
• Mahmoudi, M. (2019). The Role of English Language Teaching in Moroccan Primary Education. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 7(2), 129-135.
• Martin, C. (2000). An Analysis of National and International Research on the Provision of Modern Foreign Languages in Primary Schools. London: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
• Merzougui, N. (2019). Teaching English as First Foreign Language in Algerian Primary Schools: The Case of Fourth and Fifth Primary School. Unpublished Master Dissertation. University of Ain Temouchent.
• Miliani, M. (2002). Le français dans les écrits des lycéens: langue étrangère ou Sabir? Insaniyat Revue Algérienne d'Anthropologie et de Sciences Sociales, 17-18, 79-95. http://insaniyat.revues.org/8467 .
• Miliani, M. (2005). Languages policy in Algeria: Between Convergence and Diversity. In M. A.
• Majundar & M. Saad (Eds.), Transition and Development in Algeria (Economic, Social and Cultural Challenges). UK: Intellect Books. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298647654_Languages_policy_in_Algeria_Between_convergence_and_diversity
• Muñoz, C. (2009). ‘The effects of age on foreign language learning: The BAF project’, in Muñoz, C (ed) Age and the rate of foreign language learning, pp. 1–40. Multilingual Matters.
• Nunan, D. (2003). The impact of English as a global language on educational policies and practices in the Asia-Pacific region. TESOL Quarterly, 37, 589–613.
• Omnibus Marketing Research & Consultancies. (2021). Shift to English in Morocco. British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.ma/sites/default/files/shift_to_english_in_morocco_16042021_v2.pdf
• Ridge, N. (2014). Education and the Reverse Gender Divide in the Gulf States; Embracing the Global, Ignoring the Local. Teachers College Press.
• Rixon, S. (2013). British Council survey of policy and practice in primary English language teaching worldwide. London: British Council.
• Song, J-J. (2011). English as an official language in South Korea: Global English or social malady? Language Problems & Language Planning 35, 35–55. https://www.doi.org/10.1075/iplp.35.1.03son
• Soukehal, R. (2011). Les Cahiers de l'Orient,3 (103), 47-60. https://www.cairn.info/revue-les-cahiers-de-l-orient-2011-3-page-47.htm
• Third-Year Primary School Curriculum (2018). المخططات السنوية -جميع المواد - السنة الثالثة من التعليم إلابتدائي https://education.gov.dz/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/plan-ann-3AP-AR.pdf
• World’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills (The) (2023). EF English Proficiency Index. https://www.ef-australia.com.au/epi/