English is one of the widely spoken languages in the world. In Morocco it has been taught for decades as a foreign language in high and middle schools. Driven by globalization, some of the Moroccan youngsters have chosen to study English and embrace its culture. Movies, series, songs and pop culture are all motives that push many Moroccan pupils and students to be attracted to studying the English Language. Learning English is hence linked to the educational system in private and public schools. In public schools and most precisely during «the pre-independence era, English was taught following the norms of the French Educational system (…) English was introduced in the first grade of junior high school», Moha Ennaji wrote in his book «Multilingualism, Cultural Identity and Education in Morocco». English, during the post-independence era, gained popularity among youngsters in schools as it was «chosen by students as their favorite foreign language» among others such as Spanish and German. According to the same study conducted by Moha Ennaji, «the aim of teaching English in secondary and higher education are both socio-economic an educational». In other words, making students learn English at school was a way of helping them discover the culture, and communicate. Students' favorite foreign language The same idea was transmitted through a plan Quinquennal issued by the Ministry of National Education in 1984 stating that «English is taught for communicative, cultural and research purposes». Ennaji indicated that students back in the time in middle and high school were set to learn a set of skills that would enable them to «facilitate socio-cultural exchanges with English-speaking countries». Ph: Multilingualism, Cultural Identity, and Education in Morocco by Moha Ennaji, page 116 As for University, English disciples were meant to learn scientific knowledge in English. For Moha Ennaji, teaching language at college helped into reproducing and training teachers «at secondary and university levels». In fact, English language and the culture associated to it continued to impress youngsters in Morocco. Relying on a survey conducted by Moha Ennaji and explained at his book, he explains using numbers that 81% of students learning English claimed that study English to become familiar with the culture in 1990. 79% others said that study English «to be in position of a good job» while 23% stated that they study the language to conduct scientific researches. Learning english at an early age Now a day, as opposed to the two eras above-mentioned, English is a more powerful means of communication. With the internet invading the world, globalization and the flow of information, Moroccans are more open to learning the language. Ilyass Tadili, who graduated a year ago from the University of Chouaib Doukkali, studied English for three year. Ilyass told Yabiladi that he had the «opportunity to study English at primary school as I went to a private school» insisting that when he went to college «did not face many difficulties to keep up with the lessons and program». The young man, however, pointed out he had to face other problems, which were namely linked to equipments. «For example delivering a presentation was challenging as we had one equipped room that was most of the tame taken by other student from different departments», Ilyas said adding that «we had to postpone everything». Things were different for Youness Adnane, a high school teacher who also studied English at university. Speaking to Yabiladi about his job as an English teacher, Youness stated that «once at high school students find it difficult to learn the basics of English» for they have been introduced to the language only during the last year of middle school. «They often come not knowing much and this creates a problem as we try to make them learn the primary basic courses such as alphabet», Youness Adnane said. He insisted that the language should «be taught at an early age just like French». The young teacher claimed that students are very motivated to speak and write English, that is why, they need to be introduced to it at primary school. In 2015, Lahcen Daoudi , the former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, announced that English is the language that would ensure a successful reform for the Moroccan educational system. The Minister insisted that the language should be more present insuring that plans are studied by the ministry to focus on English.
