English Education Policy and Practice in Morocco

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.