English as a Foreign Language

Obstacles of Learning English as a Foreign Language in Morocco

1. Introduction

Morocco is an Arabic-Amazigh speaking country. For, daily communication, Moroccans use informal forms of Arabic and Tamazight, and they use the formal form of Arabic in administrations, schools, and mass media. In addition to the two mother tongues of Moroccans, French is used as a second language, while English is used as a  foreign language. Many Moroccan students find learning English difficult because of the following reasons:

• The mother language as an obstacle.
  
• The lack of real interaction.
  
• Moroccan job markets does not require English.
  

2. The mother language as an obstacle

The two mother languages of Moroccans stand as a real obstacle for some students to learn English effectively. This difficulty consists in the fact that the two languages are different from English in terms of the structure and vocabulary. This means that the first language does not help the students to learn a second or a foreign language. In what follows some examples will be given to clarify this matter as can as possible:
In English language, the sentence is formed according to the following structure:

• Subject + verb + object/ complement
• Tom eats an apple

In Arabic language the sentence has the following form:

• Verb + subject + object

Beginner learners of English will form sentences using the Arabic structure, and the result will be as follows:

• Eats Tom an apple
• Verb + subject + object

This sentence is incorrect in English structurally, and it is meaningless as a result. So, we can say that the mother tongue misleads the learners when it is different from a foreign or second language structurally.

3. The lack of real interaction in English

The absence of real communication in English in Moroccan society makes it very difficult for the students to learn. The only place where the learners can use English is the classroom with their teacher and classmates. When they are out, they find that there is nothing to be done with this language. This is one of the obstacles that discourage the learners to learn English.

4. Moroccan job market does not require English

The most of jobs in Morocco only require Arabic and French languages proficiency, and the English is ignored even though it is a language that is used as lingua franca in the world. The learners are only inspired by languages that will enable them to have a good job in the future. In fact, this is one of the reasons that push them to discount the importance of learning English.

written by: ABDELMAJID YAQOUBY