Using French as medium of instruction for mathematics and science (FMI) in Moroccan private higher education

Fatima Anaam, Maryam El Moudden, Bilal El Allaoui and Kaoutar Ouarid
School of New Sciences and Engineering, Morocco

This study contributes to the ongoing debate about the use of foreign languages as a medium of instruction. It explores engineering students' attitudes towards studying mathematics and science through French in Moroccan private higher education. A questionnaire was administered to 128 students enrolled in a private higher education institution in Northern Morocco in the 2024-2025 academic year. The findings revealed that half of the students (55.5%) had a medium French language proficiency. With regards to their motives for FMI, French as the main medium of instruction being used in their institution (21.7%), improving their language proficiency (12.8%) and having more job opportunities nationally (11.8%) and internationally (11.3%) were the top motives. Furthermore, both FMI receptive and productive tasks were mostly easier for students which made them feel satisfied with their FMI experiences. Nevertheless, 69.5% wanted to switch to English in the following academic year for a number of reasons, including English being the language of science and technology and their desire to internationally secure a position in the job market which highly sought employees with an advanced English language proficiency.
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Authors: Dr Fatima Anaam is an English language professor at the School of New Sciences and Engineering in Tangier, Morocco. She obtained her BA from Ibn Zohr University in Agadir, specialising in linguistics. She also holds a Masters degree in "Linguistics and Advanced English studies" from Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh. Recently, she obtained her Doctorate degree at Moulay Ismail University in Meknes. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4659-0566 Email: anaam.fatima@ensi.ma Dr Maryam El Moudden is a management professor at the School of New Sciences and Engineering in Tangier, Morocco. She holds a doctorate degree in Economics and Management and has published articles in the fields of organisational modes, AI in higher education, and foreign language instruction. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2028-5005 Email: elmoudden.maryam@ensi.ma Dr Bilal El Allaoui is a professor of management at the School of New Sciences and Engineering in Tangier, Morocco, where he teaches subjects related to quality, metrology, logistics, problem solving and strategic management. He has published papers in the field of quality, ethics, auditing and management of human resources. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5711-352X Email: bilal.elallaoui@ensi.ma Dr Kaoutar Ouarid is an electrical engineering professor and responsible for preparatory classes at the School of New Sciences and Engineering in Tangier, Morocco. She received her PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Faculty of Science Ain Chock (FSAC), Hassan II University of Casablanca. Her research interests include nonlinear control and state observer theory, fuzzy control, and fault diagnosis. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0777-5549 Email: kaoutar.ouarid@gmail.com Please cite as: Anaam, F., El Moudden, M., El Allaoui, B. & Ouarid, K. (2026). Using French as medium of instruction for mathematics and science (FMI) in Moroccan private higher education. Issues in Educational Research, 36(1), 1-19. http://www.iier.org.au/iier36/anaam.pdf