Algeria’s schools put Shakespeare before Molière in break from France

What the report says

Algeria is moving to teach English before French in primary schools, a policy change reported by Al Jazeera as part of a broader shift away from France’s long-standing linguistic influence. Education Minister Mohamed Seghir Saadaoui announced that English would be the only foreign language taught in the third year of primary school starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, while French would be delayed until the fourth year. The report said this means children as young as eight will learn English first for the first time in the country’s school system.

The article places the change within President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s wider language overhaul, which has also included more English in higher education and government services. Al Jazeera said some official forms, tickets and signs have already shifted away from French, while Arabic and English are appearing more often in public life. The move comes during a tense period in Algerian-French relations, following diplomatic disputes linked in the report to France’s stance on Western Sahara.

The story also notes practical questions about whether the education system has enough trained English teachers and adequate classroom support. Critics cited by Al Jazeera argue that reforms are moving quickly, while supporters say the policy could narrow gaps between private-school students, who often start foreign languages earlier, and pupils in state schools. The report also describes a generational rise in English-language reading and use among younger Algerians.