This milestone is marked through launching The Future of English: Global Perspectives, a key publication from the British Council’s ongoing research into the role of English across the world, a British Council press release states.
The report, which builds on previous research, explores global perspectives on the use of English for educational, professional, and social purposes, the same source adds, noting that the findings come at a crucial time when English proficiency is increasingly critical to personal and professional success in MENA and worldwide.
This research is part of the British Council’s three-phase global project examining the evolving role of English as a global language, and follows David Graddol’s The Future of English (1997) and English Next (2006), two studies that shaped global conversations around language education.
Building on Graddol’s work, The Future of English: Global Perspectives draws from extensive roundtable discussions with policymakers and educational leaders across the globe, offering valuable insights into English language trends and projections for the coming decades.
The British Council’s research highlights distinct regional insights into the state and future of English learning. Delegates from MENA countries shared perspectives at roundtable discussions on how English is perceived and taught across the region, and made the following observations.
For the Maghreb region (Morocco, Tunisia, Libya), demand for English is steadily growing, driven by aspirations for better educational and employment opportunities. Young people in Morocco, in particular, would like to see English replace French, although the round table agreed that English should not prevail to the detriment of other languages, the press release points out.
In the Gulf region (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar), English is increasingly adopted as the lingua franca. Technological advancements and the shift to flexible learning modes during the pandemic have reshaped language education, with a growing need for educators to improve digital literacy.
Concerning Egypt and the Levant (Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Jordan), English is becoming a major asset for economic mobility, although quality provision remains inconsistent. Stakeholders emphasis the need to address technology access and ensure equitable learning opportunities.
The research also explores how the integration of technology in language learning has transformed the educational landscape. The British Council’s commitment to using digital tools to support language learning is evident across MENA, ensuring that teachers and students alike can continue to benefit from high-quality resources and innovative solutions, even during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report emphasises that language learning policies should align with the evolving needs of learners today.
The findings challenge traditional education systems which overemphasise grammar and spelling, calling for a shift toward practical language skills, such as speaking and listening, that are essential for success in today’s globalised world.
Policymakers are encouraged to consider how English language learning can best serve the needs of learners, with a focus on equipping them for the workplace and other real-world contexts.
“The British Council has been at the heart of transforming language learning globally for 90 years, and the Future of English research demonstrates that the demand for English is stronger than ever. As we look to the future, we remain committed to supporting learners and educators through innovative resources and research-driven insights,” Regional Director of British Council MENA Amir Ramzan said, quoted in the release.
Established in 1960, the British Council in Morocco has a long-standing history of fostering cultural collaboration.
This cooperation was further strengthened in 1981 with the signing of a cultural agreement between the British and Moroccan governments, aimed at deepening their ties. Today, the British Council operates in four Moroccan cities and teaches English to over 8,000 students annually.
The British Council invites educators, policymakers and learners across the MENA region to engage with the findings of The Future of English: Global Perspectives and to participate in ongoing conversations on the future of language education.
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