Investigating Teachers and Learners' Perceptions of English as a Medium of Instruction in Algerian Higher Education: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

In the last few decades, the Algerian Higher Education has shown a growing interest in English as a Medium of Instruction. This interest may have several reasons, but the most important are the desire to internationalize Higher Education, and to prepare students for the demand of the global work market. This study aims to investigate and compare computer science teachers' and master 1 students' perceptions toward the mplementation of EMI in AlgerianHigher Education. It seeks to answer the following questionsWhat are the perceptions of the teachers and the students of the department of computer science toward the implementation of EMI in Algerian Higher Education? How do the perceptions of teachers and learners differ regarding the implementation of EMI in Algerian higher education, and what factors contribute to these differences? and What are the potential challenges that both teachers and learners may face while using English instead of French? to collect the necessary data a qualitative method is used which is a questionnaire. Two questionnaires were designed for 35 master 1 students and 16 teachers from the department of computer science at Mila University Center. The results revealed that both teachers and learners have positive perceptions toward the implementation of EMI in higher education. They believe that despite all the challenges they have faced, EMI has a great impact on the quality of education; it effects students' carrier, and the government should make the necessary procedures to facilitate the transition from French to English.