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Education

English Immersion Efforts Gain Momentum in Morocco

Saturday 30 December 2023 - 11:40

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A group of Moroccan education inspectors has recently undergone specialized training to enhance English teaching throughout the North African kingdom. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to elevate language proficiency nationwide.

In a ceremony held earlier this month, the British Council acknowledged 33 trainee inspectors who successfully completed an advanced professional development program. The program focused on refining pedagogical skills and strengthening participants' own proficiency in English. Conducted between December 18-22, this training marks the inaugural step in a collaborative series between the British Council and Morocco's Center for the Training of Education Inspectors (CFIE), with the overarching goal of modernizing English language instruction.

Alexandra Balafrej, Country Director of the British Council Morocco, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, "This represents a crucial first step in achieving the objectives outlined in our partnership agreement with CFIE. Providing future inspectors with the confidence and tools to enhance learner outcomes is pivotal for realizing Morocco's vision of widespread English proficiency."

The program modules encompassed contemporary best practices for teaching English, along with leadership, monitoring, and evaluation techniques that inspectors can utilize to support ongoing teacher development. Nadia Boudad, CFIE Director, expressed optimism regarding the collaboration's potential to strengthen ties with the UK while advancing reforms within Morocco's education system.

Morocco has committed to integrating English into earlier grades and public services, such as television, to equip its population with a globally valued skill set. However, a recent report indicates that progress is still needed, with Rabat alone displaying "moderate proficiency" on English metrics. Through initiatives like the British Council partnership, Morocco aims to expand immersive training that fosters an environment conducive to mastering English nationwide. For inspectors and educators at the forefront of instruction, gaining specialized knowledge and guidance is pivotal to achieving this mission.