At university, this year English “is” instead of French.

English will replace French in higher education from the start of the 2023/2024 academic year. This is confirmed by an instruction sent by the Minister of Higher Education to the heads of university institutions on July 1. It urges the latter to make arrangements to start teaching in English in all universities of the country from September.

A year after the introduction of English in the primary cycle, Algeria has decided to opt for English in higher education next academic year. Higher Education Minister Kamel Bhattari recorded the decision on July 1 through an instruction sent to heads of all university institutions in the country. The latter are invited to implement the terms of introduction to English at the university before going on vacation.

At the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, English will officially replace French for all courses in Algeria. “According to the directives of the Minister, as part of the preparation for the introduction of English as the language of instruction from 2023/2024, you are requested to organize meetings by creating groups of teachers. Subject or module, and this before going on vacation,” refers to the instruction of the Minister.

30,000 university teachers were trained in English

So the teaching staff should prepare to introduce English from September. “Each group shall consist of teachers of various grades, including lecturers and assistants (TP) and tutorials (TD) in charge of practical work, appointed or elected, with a member of the faculty deputing its leadership. The minister’s directive quoted El Wathan as saying.¹.

Several arrangements have already been made to introduce English as the medium of instruction in the University. Last November, Kamel Badari’s department issued a press release announcing the creation of a digital platform for distance learning in English, calling for the identification of teachers involved in this learning. Through this approach, the supervisory authority trains at least 80% of science and technology teachers and 100% of social science and humanities subjects in English.

On January 2, Kamel Badari launched the platform, which will be developed in collaboration with the American University of MIT. The minister said that 30,000 university professors are involved in this training. “Algeria is becoming the only African country with this digital platform with the support of MIT University”, the minister welcomed, noting that teachers who follow the training can reach B2 or C1 levels.