US Consul General based in Casablanca, Marissa Scott, on Sunday commended Morocco’s incorporation of the English language in its educational system, considering it a significant opportunity for Moroccan students to access more job prospects in Morocco and around the world.
Introducing English from the second grade is a promising move. It enables students to start learning the language at a young age, allowing them to achieve a high level of fluency in the upcoming years, Scott told BarlamanToday, on the sidelines of the first English Speaking Job Fair, held in Casablanca.
“Today’s workforce is global, and Morocco is a large part of it. One of the ways that we can help to ensure that the Moroccan employees are available for the international and global workforce is through English language learning,” the US Consul General said.
She underlined that English is not intended to “supplement languages that people already speak in Morocco, but to enhance career prospects and bridge the employment gap.”
“We know that in Africa, not just in Morocco, there’s a large gap between employment and youth, and English language is one of the ways to connect English language technology and skills training,” she noted.
Scott also pointed out that the job fair aims to connect young people with employment opportunities in Morocco.
The fair brought together over 200 teachers who use English as a medium of instruction in various subjects, including language learning and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The teachers interacted with representatives from 15 institutions, including private schools, universities and English language centers.
The Job Fair also included three-panel discussions led by a group of education experts and academics on “Education in the Era of Smart Technology,” “Building an Inclusive Classroom,” and “Navigating the Shift to English within the Moroccan Education System.”