Majority of Algerians want English as their first foreign language

Many Algerians had reacted positively to the demands of activists and Facebook pages calling for the adoption of English as a first foreign language instead of French. This is in light of the ongoing intense social unrest in Algeria. A debate was sparked in the Algerian society about national education and the Minister Nouria Benghabrit’s attempts to bring about the dangerous changes on the Second Generation Curriculum.

According to a report published by Algerie Scoop, this situation made many Algerians defend the option of adopting English as a first foreign language instead of French.

In contrast, English is seen as the language of science, knowledge and technology as more than 90 per cent of research papers are produced in English, in addition to the English language’s everyday use internationally.

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One of the most recent surveys, launched by a popular Facebook page about a week ago, was about the Algerian people’s preferences vis-à-vis the country’s first foreign language. There were only two options: English and French.

Of about 12,200 participants 93 per cent of the total number of voters favoured English.