English language in Algeria
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| Languages of Algeria | |
|---|---|
| Official | Arabic, Tamazight |
| Regional | Hassaniya (unrecognized), Korandje (unrecognized)[1] |
| Vernacular | Algerian Arabic, Algerian Berber, Algerian French |
| Immigrant | Dawsahak |
| Foreign | English, French, Spanish |
| Signed | Algerian Sign Language |
| Keyboard layout | |
| Part of a series on the |
| Culture of Algeria |
|---|
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| People |
| Mythology |
| Art |
English is taught in schools in Algeria.[2][3][4]
Overview
[edit]In recent years, English has gained popularity as the second most widely studied foreign language in Algeria, following French. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, English was not prominently featured in Algerian textbooks, possibly due to apprehension regarding a neocolonial experience similar to that of France. By the mid-1980s, English started to gain space in society. According to a 1984 report by the British Council, English was considered a third language in Algeria.[5]
The real presence of English in Algeria began to emerge in the beginning of the 1990s with the arrival of foreign energy companies specializing in gas and petroleum in the southern region of the country. Algerian scholars started to learn English for scientific research and publication. Between 1998 and 2003, out of 1,410 national projects published in Algeria, 681 (48%) were published in English, followed by French with 251 (21%).[5]
Since 2017, the popularity of English has experienced a significant surge, primarily due to the rise of the internet and the boom of social media platforms. This trend is observable not only in social media but also in fashion and food businesses, as well as in private language schools, training centers, business establishments, and online platforms.[6]
Under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algeria has emphasized the teaching of English. Starting in 2022, English language learning was introduced to most years of primary school, and a training program was implemented for new high school graduates.[7] The government also supports English language learning for teachers to enhance their skills before the start of the new university season.[8]
Presentation
[edit]According to the Euromonitor International site, the English language was spoken in 2000 by 7% of Algerians from the old generation between 1940 and 1970, and learning this language is also explained by the fact that many Algerians have emigrated to the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries.[9][10]
Historically, only about 7% of Algerians born between 1940–1960 could speak fluent English, prompting the government to seek external support. In 2012, Algeria invited Indian teachers to help expand English education across universities.
A Britannica study shows a major generational shift:
- 1975–1990 Generation:
- 23% speak English fluently
- 34% have intermediate skills
- 10% can use English at an average level
- 67% overall English proficiency in this group
- 1990–2010 (Gen Z):
- 76%+ speak English fluently or near-natively
- A large majority prefer English over French
- Influenced by global media, tech, and culture from the USA and UK
- 2010–2025 (Gen Alpha):
- Early indicators suggest even stronger English adoption due to exposure to American/British content (YouTube, games, films, etc.)
With over 76% of Gen Z and Alpha fluent or comfortable in English, the language is clearly overtaking French as Algeria’s preferred second language. If the trend continues, by 2032–2037, English—driven by global influence from the US and UK—may become the dominant foreign language in Algeria.
Education
[edit]Since the independence of Algeria in 1962, the English language has been taught to the majority of students from the middle level.[11][12][13] In July 2022, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced that primary schools will start to teach English in late 2022.[14]
Current Generational English Proficiency Overview
[edit]- 1940–1960 (Old Generation): ~5% fluent in English
- 1975–1990 (Young Adults / Early Millennials): ~67% have at least mid-level English
- 1990–2010 (Gen Z): >76% speak English fluently or near-natively; prefer English over French
- 2010–2025 (Gen Alpha): Still maturing, but early data suggests even stronger English usage
- Post-2025 (Gen Beta?): Expected to be raised in environments heavily influenced by English (social media, gaming, tech, global culture)
Projected Timeline for Full Shift
[edit]2035–2040 is a realistic estimate for when English may surpass French as the dominant foreign/second language in Algeria—especially:
- In urban areas, universities, and professional sectors
- Among tech-savvy youth and professionals
- In media consumption, business, and digital content creation
By that time:
- Most of Gen Z will be in leadership, education, and workforce roles
- Gen Alpha will be entering higher education
- Gen Beta (if we follow the generational naming) will be born into English-friendly environments
Media
[edit]While English is increasingly becoming a dominant language among Algerians, the country’s media landscape still lacks sufficient representation of English in its news channels and broadcasts. Despite a growing English-speaking population, there are no dedicated English-language news channels or major radio broadcasts in the language.
The Radio Algérie Internationale does provide limited English-language content, but only a few minutes of news programming air daily, typically from 8 p.m. This represents a stark contrast to the rising English fluency among younger generations, where:
- 67% of Algerians born between 1975–1990 are proficient in English, with 23% fluent and 34% at an intermediate level.
- 76%+ of Generation Z (born 1990–2010) now speaks English fluently or near-natively.
The limited English media presence in Algeria has yet to match this shift, despite the fact that more than half of Algeria’s younger population is increasingly engaged with global English-language news, especially from the USA and UK.
The demand for English-language news is likely to grow, driven by the younger generations’ preference for global content over traditional French-language news. As Algerians become more connected to the global information ecosystem, English-language news coverage will likely see increased demand, particularly in digital media, online platforms, and broadcast journalism.
With the growing influence of English in Algeria, it is anticipated that local news outlets and international media will need to cater to this demand, offering more English-language news programming to reflect the country's linguistic shift.
Newspapers
[edit]There is no English daily or periodical newspaper that is published in Algeria.[15]
It was only the Arabic-speaking newspaper Echorouk El Yawmi which tried in collaboration with the British Council to popularize the English language in Algeria by devoting one to two pages per week for initiation into the language.[16][17]
See also
[edit]- Geographical distribution of English speakers
- English-speaking world
- List of countries and territories where English is an official language
- Ministry of National Education (Algeria)
- Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (Algeria)
- Radio Algeria
- Television in Algeria
References
[edit]- ^ Lewis, M. Paul, ed. (2009). "Languages of Algeria". Ethnologue: Languages of the World (sixteenth edition). SIL International. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
- ^ "Algeria seeks to replace French with English at university, sparks 'language war' | | AW". Thearabweekly.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ^ Benrabah, Prof Mohamed (2013). Language Conflict in Algeria: From Colonialism to Post-Independence. Multilingual Matters. ISBN 978-1-84769-966-4.[page needed]
- ^ Belmihoub, Kamal (June 2018). "English in a multilingual Algeria". World Englishes. 37 (2): 207–227. doi:10.1111/weng.12294.
- ^ a b Belmihoub, Kamal (2018) [2018]. "English in a multilingual Algeria". World Englishes. 37 (2): 207–227. doi:10.1111/weng.12294. ISSN 0883-2919.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Maraf, Baya; Osam, Ulker Vanci (2023). "The booming wave of English in the linguistic landscape in Algeria: Timeline of the presence of English language in Algerian bottom-up signs". English Today. 39 (4): 307–314. doi:10.1017/S026607842200013X. ISSN 0266-0784.
- ^ "Enseignement de l'anglais : l'Algérie fait un nouveau pas" [Algeria takes a new step in English language education.]. TSA (in French). 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
- ^ "Algérie : L'anglais, langue d'enseignement à l'université dès septembre prochain" [Algeria: English to be the medium of instruction at universities starting from next September]. www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
- ^ The Benefits of the English Language for Individuals and Societies: Quantitative Indicators from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen. Euromonitor International. April 2012.[page needed]
- ^ Nadia, Rezig (1 January 2011). "Teaching English in Algeria and Educational Reforms: An Overview on the Factors Entailing Students Failure in Learning Foreign Languages at University". Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 29: 1327–1333. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.370.
- ^ "English for Development" (PDF). www.cambridgeenglish.org. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ^ "Teaching English as a Foreign Language in the Algerian Secondary Schools" (PDF). thesis.univ-biskra.dz. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ^ "Teach English in Algeria | How to start teaching in Algeria". Theteflacademy.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ^ "Algerian leader in bold move to promote English at junior school". BBC News. 2022-07-31. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
- ^ Belhandouz, Halima (March 2011). "Teaching science in Algeria: pedagogical shortfalls and conflicts of meaning". The Journal of North African Studies. 16 (1): 99–116. doi:10.1080/13629387.2010.529655. S2CID 144185408.
- ^ "Teaching English | British Council". Britishcouncil.dz. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ^ Le Roux, Cheryl S. (4 May 2017). "Language in education in Algeria: a historical vignette of a 'most severe' sociolinguistic problem". Language & History. 60 (2): 112–128. doi:10.1080/17597536.2017.1319103. S2CID 218668883.
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