The smile revolution (hirak) as a driving force for an English ‘tidal wave’ and foreign language policy-making in Algeria

ABSTRACT

The present study provides an insight into foreign language policy endeavour in Algeria. It responds to the concept of an English ‘tidal wave’ (Spolsky [2004]. Language policy. Cambridge University Press), and uses Spolsky’s ([2009]. Language management. Cambridge University Press) social approach and Djité’s ([1994]. From language policy to language planning. National Languages and Literacy Institute of Australia) definition of language policy. The study is a qualitative research which relies on the contribution of 20 Algerian university students who are affiliated with eight Algerian universities, and on the researchers’ observations, social media pictures, videos, social media comments, and news outlet reports. The study concludes that there is a ‘seismic wave’ of English language (in terms of beliefs, practices and demands) amid the smile revolution protests (hirak) that will give rise to a future tidal wave of English based on the bottom-up involvement of participants in the policy-making process.

KEYWORDS:

• Smile revolution
• hirak‌
• tidal wave
• English language
• language policy
• Algeria

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Baya Maraf

Baya Maraf is a PhD researcher at Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus. Her research interests cover areas of language policy and planning and sociolinguistics.

Ulker Vanci Osam

Ulker Vanci Osam is a professor at the English Language Teaching Program of the Faculty of Education, Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus. Her research and teaching interests include language teacher education, teacher identity, professional development, and English language teaching methodology.