Abstract
The debate about which language is best suited to take on the role of the first foreign language and language of education in Morocco is in full force these days. The policy of Arabization, which many blame for the current education crisis in Morocco, has failed to replace French as the linguistic medium of science and technology in tertiary education and as a result has produced high school students who are unable to function in any foreign language upon graduation. The 1999 National Charter of Education and the 2009 Emergency Program have been attempts to come to the rescue through the proposals of several reforms to the system of education as a whole, including the introduction of another foreign language – for the teaching of science and technology – on an already saturated linguistic scene. The question is which foreign language is it going to be: French, which represents continuity, or English, which provides access to international communication and economic development? All indications point to a language shift towards English. What remains to be seen are the steps the government will take to guarantee the success of this new venture, especially after the failures of recent policies meant to salvage the Moroccan educational system from total ruin.
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Notes
- 1.
Strengthening the Position of English in Morocco for Development. (21 December 2013). Rabat, Morocco: Conference program.
- 2.
Interview with Dr. Boulouz on www.hespress.ma. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
- 3.
Moroccan Arabic Vernacular is a spoken language only.
- 4.
Tifinagh is a Berber script that has no resemblance to Latin or Arabic. It is a script that apparently was used by the Berbers 5000 years ago. Berber activists opted for this script for the teaching of Berber instead of the Arabic or Latin as a political solution to a linguistic problem.
- 5.
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See: 1. Pour un nouveau soufflé de la reforme: Presentation du Programme “Najah 2009–2012” Rapport de synthese. Juin 2008
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2. Rapport National sure le Development de l’Education: rapport prepare pour la conference internationale de l’education 2008 sous le theme: « L’education pour l’Inclusion: la voie de l’avenir ».
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3. Programme d’Urgence 2009–2012- Principales mesures prévues et éléments de bilan à mi-parcours 2008/09 – mai 2011
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- 6.
- 7.
See www.hespress.ma’s interview with one of these conservative Arabists, Dr. Mohamed Boulouz: http://hespress.com/interviews/89853.html
- 8.
See ww.elf.georgetown.edu
- 9.
See cies.org
- 10.
Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane boasts 40 % of its teaching staff as foreigners – with 30 % from English-speaking countries – and the rest from Morocco.
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Errihani, M. (2017). English Education Policy and Practice in Morocco. In: Kirkpatrick, R. (eds) English Language Education Policy in the Middle East and North Africa. Language Policy, vol 13. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46778-8_8
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