Foreign-language education is an important way for countries to train a competitive workforce. How can the Maghreb meet this economic goal without compromising local cultures?
From the Panellists
If languages are not golden, then they are made out of silver (Comments: 1)
By: Driss Kassouri
Regardless of the fact that the value of a language is determined by several factors, such as the demographic size of its speakers, its content, and the conditions of its… more
Only take from the west what is useful to us (Comments: 2)
By: Monia Ferjani
The first article of the Declaration of Principles of International Cultural Co-operation states the following: a. Each culture has a dignity and value which must be respected and preserved. b.… more
First we must define what national interest is, then we must teach languages that can lead to the progress of society (Comments: 0)
By: Baya Gacemi
“What do you call someone who can’t speak any foreign languages? Answer: an American.” It is a telling joke. The Americans, who rule the world, do not need to learn… more
Maghreb countries continue to preserve their culture despite being open to foreign languages (Comments: 1)
There is no doubt that learning foreign languages, especially the languages that are known as the "living languages", has become more than necessary for the peoples of the developing world,… more
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commentssalahchekiel476 About 25 days ago
American English is the most important language; it is an essential language for those who want to progress across space and time. Even Islam encourages individuals to learn foreign languages that have a direct interest for the community. I am sorry, but a foreign language does not affect the religious, cultural, or any other heritage at all. Quite the opposite, foreign languages beautify the culture that is the very essence of any civilization. For my part, for example, I would like to see English replace French in national education in Algeria, because knowledge is currently entirely based on an important factor, which is English, starting from the web. We can achieve economic objectives by strengthening appropriate pedagogic tools. You can witness the progress of the American society by yourself: knowledge and culture are free. So as I said previously, things are much better with the Americans, and we should not worry about the future with them. However, with France and the French, it’s always turning around the bush, and that results into: civil war, poverty, unemployment, and distress. If we look at the American side, there is Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar etc.; I’m not exaggerating, we must face the truth. Let me even push the envelope, if they are all predators I prefer a lion or a tiger over a jackal or a kitten. If circumstances are appropriate, I prefer the right train. “Life is like a woman and wouldn’t like to see but one warrior”. Technology, medicine, and even social sciences are the results of American research. In libraries, the best books that offer good knowledge are American books.
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