Bilingualism and Its Challenges in Teaching Arabic at the Primary School Level in Algeria

Abstract: Bilingualism is one of the most prominent sociolinguistic phenomena characterizing Arab societies, where two linguistic varieties coexist within the same language, as is the case with Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Arabic. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the Algerian context, where it has become a linguistic reality that directly affects various domains of language use, especially the educational sphere. This study aims to analyze the challenges encountered in teaching Arabic at the primary school level in Algeria under the predominance of bilingualism. Learners find themselves confronted with Modern Standard Arabic as a variety that is unfamiliar in their everyday use, which hinders its natural acquisition. The study focuses on manifestations of linguistic interference between Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Arabic and their implications for learners’ acquisition of language skills. It also seeks to put forward practical proposals grounded in linguistic and pedagogical principles to mitigate the effects of this phenomenon and improve the quality of Arabic language education at this critical stage. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach through an analysis of relevant literature and an examination of manifestations of linguistic interference in the Algerian educational context. It concludes that bilingualism constitutes a structural obstacle to the acquisition of Modern Standard Arabic, particularly during the early years of schooling, as a result of the predominance of colloquial Arabic as the language naturally acquired by learners. Keywords: bilingualism, Arabic language didactics, linguistic interference, primary education, Algeria.