In a landmark shift, Algeria’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced that English will replace French as the language of instruction in universities, beginning with the 2025/2026 academic session.
The directive, issued in early April, instructs all public universities to begin teaching first-year medical and scientific courses exclusively in English from September 2025. This transition marks a major step in the country’s broader strategy to internationalise its higher education system and improve global academic competitiveness.
According to a 2025 study titled “EMI in Algeria: Theorizing as a Vehicle for the Internationalization of Local Knowledge in the Social and Human Sciences”, the language policy change is intended to align Algeria’s academic environment with global trends in research and employment, where English dominates.
Algeria, North Africa’s third-highest user of French at 33%—after Tunisia (52%) and Morocco (35%)—has long maintained strong linguistic and cultural ties to France, its former colonial ruler. However, this move signals a deliberate shift away from that legacy.
Professor Bouraoui Seyfallah of the University of Sciences and Technology, Houari Boumediene, described the change as both political and educational. “It’s hard to separate politics from education in a context like this,” he said. “The political dimension is likely the stronger force behind it right now.”
Tensions between Algeria and France escalated in July 2024 when France supported Morocco’s claim over the disputed Western Sahara region, a move that drew immediate backlash from Algiers and prompted the withdrawal of Algeria’s ambassador to Paris.
Algeria’s pivot away from French aligns with a broader regional trend. In March 2025, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their exit from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), accusing the French-language body of being a political tool for France’s foreign interests.
Professor Rosemary Salomone, author of The Rise of English: Global Politics and the Power of Language, said while the circumstances in those countries are unique, there is growing sentiment across Africa for linguistic decolonisation and greater use of English for pragmatic reasons.
“France is clearly losing its foothold in its former colonies in Africa,” Salomone noted, pointing to countries like Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire that have also ended French military presence amid calls for sovereignty and decolonisation.
Many Algerian academics believe the shift to English is long overdue. “French has become a lost language,” said Professor Sadallah Boubaker-Khaled of the École Normale Supérieure in Algiers. “Even in some former colonies, French is no longer the main language in education.”
Professor Seyfallah said that Algerian youth are increasingly drawn to English for its relevance in science, technology, economics, and diplomacy. “By integrating English, Algeria is seeking to improve students’ access to the global job market and academic research.”
Salomone echoed this view, noting that an English-based education system could help Algeria attract multinational investment, boost global research visibility, and prepare graduates for an English-dominated global economy.
Despite widespread support for the policy, experts caution that Algeria’s readiness for such a major linguistic overhaul is limited. Algeria ranks 78th out of 116 countries on the 2024 Education First English Proficiency Index, classifying its English proficiency as “low.”
Professor Seyfallah listed several obstacles, including poor English skills among students and faculty, a shortage of English-language materials, teacher resistance, and institutional inequalities. “A gradual, well-supported, and inclusive approach is crucial,” he advised.
Salomone also raised concerns about whether students currently have the academic English skills needed to succeed at the university level. She recommended intensive summer courses, continued language training for students and faculty, and faculty exchange programs and hiring Anglophone lecturers.
Nasir Isa Kwarra, chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and committee secretary, stated that efforts are already underway to lay the groundwork for a smooth transition.
While the road ahead may be challenging, many agree that Algeria’s bold shift to English could redefine its education system and expand its place on the global academic map.
