Algeria Reshapes Foreign Language Education… English Moves Ahead While French Is Delayed by One Year
The Algerian government has redrawn the roadmap for foreign language education at the primary school level by deciding to give English priority in the third grade while postponing the teaching of French until the fourth grade. The authorities describe the move as an educational reform aimed at improving language acquisition, but it has also reignited debate over the future of the French language in Algeria and the growing shift toward English as the language of science, technology, and the global economy.
A Change in Teaching Order, Not the Elimination of French
The Ministry of National Education announced that the decision will take effect at the start of the 2026–2027 academic year, with third-grade primary students studying English only, while French will be introduced alongside it beginning in the fourth grade.
The measure does not remove French from the curriculum but postpones its introduction by one year. Previously, French had been taught simultaneously with English in the third grade since English was introduced into primary education in 2022.
The ministry explained that the adjustment is part of an approach aimed at improving the learning of foreign languages while continuing to strengthen the presence of English in scientific and technological streams. So far, the ministry has not disclosed details regarding the number of instructional hours or the textbooks and curricula that will be adopted under the new system.
Educational Dimensions Beyond the Classroom
Supporters of the decision argue that teaching two foreign languages simultaneously to students as young as eight years old places an additional burden on learners during a foundational stage of education. They believe that dedicating an entire year to English before introducing French could give children a better opportunity to develop stronger reading and pronunciation skills.
However, the implications of the decision extend beyond education, carrying symbolic significance regarding the status of both languages in Algerian society. While the authorities present English as the language of the future, scientific research, technology, and the digital economy, French remains associated, for many, with the legacy of French colonialism, while continuing to maintain cultural, administrative, and economic influence.
The change continues a process that began several years ago with the introduction of English into primary education in 2022, followed by its gradual expansion within universities and scientific disciplines. During the 2025 academic year, the authorities began strengthening English instruction in medical schools while launching programs to train faculty members and prepare university reference materials in English as part of a strategy to expand its role in higher education.
French Retains Its Influence Despite the Official Shift
Despite the government’s growing emphasis on English, French continues to hold an influential position in Algeria, even though it is not the country’s official language. It remains widely used in government administration, business, medicine, media, and higher education, and is frequently intertwined with Algerian Arabic and Amazigh in everyday communication.
According to estimates by the International Organization of La Francophonie, approximately 15 million people in Algeria speak French, making it one of the largest French-speaking populations in the world, despite Algeria not being a member of the organization.
The preferences of Algerian students pursuing education abroad also reflect the continued academic influence of French. Data cited by Le Monde showed that around 68% of Algerian students who studied abroad in 2024 chose France, compared with approximately 5% who chose Canada and only 2% who chose the United Kingdom. In addition, more than 8,350 Algerian students received French student visas in 2025, representing an increase of nearly 16% compared with the previous year.
Betting on English and the Challenge of Implementation
Algeria is betting on expanding the use of English to provide its students with broader opportunities in scientific research, artificial intelligence, technology, and international markets. The initial phase of English instruction at the primary level began with two weekly classes, each lasting 45 minutes, for third- and fourth-grade students before the program is gradually expanded.
The Ministry of Higher Education has also announced programs over recent years to train thousands of instructors in English in an effort to narrow the gap between the government’s policy objectives and the human resources needed to implement them.
Nevertheless, the success of this transition depends on factors that go beyond simply revising curricula or changing the language of instruction. It requires qualified teaching staff, modern curricula, standardized scientific terminology, and measures to ensure that educational disparities between urban schools and remote areas do not widen.
Although French does not appear to be disappearing from Algeria’s educational and social landscape, its position as the country’s primary foreign language is no longer as certain as it once was. The new decision gives English both a chronological and symbolic advantage within the school system, while French continues to maintain a strong presence in academic, economic, and social spheres. Ultimately, the true measure of success will depend on the education system’s ability to translate this policy into genuine language proficiency without undermining mastery of French or placing students under the burden of an incomplete linguistic transition.
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Author: Counselor Faisal Al-Mutairi.
Publication Date: July 26, 2026.
Last Updated: July 2026.
