Language Choice and Attitudes towards French and English: Moroccan High School Students in Consideration

Abstract

This study aims to investigate language choice and language attitudes towards French and English among Moroccan high school students. The Moroccan society is known for its diverse linguistic map which includes both national and foreign languages. For decades, and since colonization, the use of French as the country’s second language has developed to include different domains in society like administration, education, and media. English has remained a foreign language with limited functions. However, currently, the use of English is growing fast in different areas of society and Moroccans are shifting towards favoring English over French. This shift in language choice affects the social behavior besides the social identity of the community. This research seeks to reveal the reasons for this gradual change in language choice and attitudes in Morocco and elicit its social significance. Methodology-wise this research draws on a qualitative case study based on a questionnaire as the major tool for data collection. The findings reveal that the Moroccan high school students are aware of the importance of the English language at the international level and that is what steers their favorable shift towards English.