Arab World English Journal, December 2016 ASELS Annual Conference Proceedings, 201 Mohammed V University of Rabat, Morocco Pp. 211 -222
English as a Medium of Instruction in Moroccan Higher Education
Hassan Belhiah
English and Linguistics
Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco
Abilkassem Abdelatif
Journalist at Moroccan News Agency (MAP)
Dakar, Senegal
Abstract:
Currently, French is used as a medium of instruction in Moroccan colleges of science and engineering. There have been several calls to replace French with English since English is gradually becoming the language of science and technology par excellence. This study examines science and technology doctoral students’ attitudes towards the use of English as a medium of instruction in three Moroccan colleges using a survey questionnaire. The results indicate that students are strongly in favor of using English as a medium of instruction. Some reasons behind this preference include the need to read and cite indexed journal articles in their dissertations, their intention to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, and the desire to have an edge in the job market.
Keywords: bilingualism, bilingual education, English as a medium of instruction, English-in-Education;