Navigating Linguistic and Cultural Duality: The Impact of Internationalization on Moroccan Higher Education
Keywords:
Keywords: Multilingualism, Cross-border academic programs, Cultural exchange, Cultural adaptation, and Language proficiency.Abstract
The Moroccan higher education system is marked by its linguistic diversity, with Arabic, French, and the rising prominence of English as key languages of instruction. Cross-border academic programs amplify these linguistic complexities while introducing new cultural dimensions. This study explored the linguistic and cultural dynamics within cross-border academic programs. It focused on Moroccan graduate students in Fulbright programs partnered with foreign universities, examining how language proficiency and cultural adaptation influence academic success and experiences. A stratified sample of 36 participants from four Moroccan open access universities was selected based on their language of instruction and discipline. A mixed-methods approach combined quantitative data from structured questionnaires with qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups. Quantitative analysis linked English proficiency to academic performance, while qualitative themes highlighted language barriers, cultural exchange, and adaptation strategies. The findings emphasized the central role of language in academic outcomes and adaptation, while addressing challenges of cultural duality in cross-border education, offering insights into navigating multilingualism and cultural hybridity in a globalized academic context.
Downloads
References
References
Altbach, P. G., & Knight, J. (2007). The internationalization of higher education: Motivations and realities. Journal of Studies in International Education, 11(3–4), 290–305. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315307303542
Ammor, M. (2016). The impact of globalization on the linguistic landscape of Moroccan higher education. Journal of Educational Policy and Research, 9(2), 45-60.
Belhiah, H., & Elhami, M. (2015). "English as a medium of instruction in the Gulf: When students and teachers speak." Language Policy, 14(1), 3-23.
Belhorma, A. (2021). The Role of Internationalization in Moroccan Higher Education. Journal of Higher Education Studies, 8(2), 45-61.
Benhima, A. (2019). The Influence of European Academic Models in Moroccan Universities: An Assessment of the LMD System. European Journal of Education Studies, 6(3), 87-102.
Benhima, A. (2019). The Influence of European Academic Models in Moroccan Universities: An Assessment of the LMD System. European Journal of Education Studies, 6(3), 87-102.
Berry, J. W. (2005). Acculturation: Living successfully in two cultures. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29(6), 697–712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2005.07.013
Bhabha, H. K. (1994). The location of culture. Routledge.
Bouayad Agha, N. (2011). The Arabization policy in Morocco: Challenges and consequences. Language Policy, 10(2), 113-128.
Boukhars, A. (2010). "The geopolitics of Amazigh activism in North Africa." African Affairs, 109(435), 325-344.
Boukous, A. (2012). Revitalization of Amazigh in the Moroccan educational system. King Fahd Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies.
Bouquet, G. (2020). "Arabization in Morocco: A tool for social integration or a source of exclusion?" The Journal of North African Studies, 25(4), 543-559.
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–258). Greenwood.
Caubet, D. (1998). The status of French in Morocco: Shifts in language use and attitudes. In M. C. Francois & G. Leclerc (Eds.), French-speaking cultures and identities (pp. 233-250). L’Harmattan.
El Aissati, A. (2016). The Amazigh language in the Moroccan linguistic landscape. Language Problems & Language Planning, 40(1), 75-98.
Elbiad, M. (1985). Arabization in Morocco: The historical, political, and sociolinguistic dimensions. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 53, 9-20.
El Bouhali, C. (2020). French Influence in Moroccan Higher Education: The Legacy of Colonialism and Beyond. International Journal of Education Development, 73(1), 123-138.
Ennaji, M. (2005). Multilingualism, Cultural Identity, and Education in Morocco. Springer.
García, O., & Wei, L. (2014). Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism, and education. Palgrave Macmillan.
Gumperz, J. J. (1970). Sociolinguistics and communication in small groups. Sociology of Education, 43(3), 267–283. https://doi.org/10.2307/2112059
Haeri, N. (2003). Sacred language, ordinary people: Dilemmas of culture and politics in Egypt. Palgrave Macmillan.
Hale, H. (2012). Al Akhawayn University: Morocco’s American-style Liberal Arts Education Experiment. Middle East Journal of Higher Education Studies, 4(1), 55-69.
Khrouz, A. (2022). Research Collaboration Between Moroccan and American Universities: A Focus on Science and Technology. Journal of Global Education Studies, 11(2), 102-115.
Kim, Y. Y. (2001). Becoming intercultural: An integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation. Sage.
Knight, J. (2011). Five myths about internationalization. International Higher Education, (62), 14–15.
Kramsch, C. (1993). Context and culture in language teaching. Oxford University Press.
Kramsch, C. (2009). The multilingual subject: What foreign language learners say about their experience and why it matters. Oxford University Press.
Kramsch, C. (2014). Teaching foreign languages in an era of globalization: Introduction. Modern Language Journal, 98(1), 296–311. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2014.12057.x
Sadiqi, F. (1991). "The spread of English in Morocco." International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 1991(87), 99-114.
Pennycook, A. (1994). The cultural politics of English as an international language. Longman.
Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic imperialism. Oxford University Press.
Ting-Toomey, S., & Dorjee, T. (2018). Communicating across cultures. Guilford Press.
Zouhir, A. (2020). "English as a medium of instruction in Moroccan higher education." World Englishes, 39(3), 418-429.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2025 Fatima Ezzahra Mouassine

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.