National Education: What Will Change in English Classes for Eighth Grade

Algeria’s Education Ministry is preparing to introduce a new English-language program for second-year middle school students when the 2026-27 school year begins.

The ministry formalized the change in a Sept. 3 note sent to education authorities, middle-school inspectors and public and private school directors. The measure applies a July 27 decision setting class schedules, curricula and subject coefficients for middle school, and continues the program introduced for first-year students in 2025-26.

English instruction will total three and a half hours each week. The ministry wants schools to spread lessons across the week rather than group them together, allowing students regular practice and more time to absorb the material.

The curriculum combines spoken and written work. Its communicative approach focuses on understanding speech and developing oral expression in real-life situations, while the written component targets reading comprehension and written production. The stated aim is functional English that students can use in daily life, rather than only theoretical knowledge.

Schools will use a second-year textbook, a teaching guide and digital audio recordings with varied excerpts to build listening skills. The ministry has instructed school directors and teachers to download the materials from the national education information system for immediate use. Subject inspectors will also organize training sessions to help teachers apply the curriculum, use the guide and identify and address learning difficulties.