English language to start from the first grade in Albania, Government says

First grade class in 1 Maji school in Tirana

 Starting September 13, English will be the first language to be taught in all schools in Albania, starting from the first grade.

The Ministry of Education has issued an order, which is expected to put an end to parents' dissatisfaction with the lack of English language curriculum in some schools, replacing it with other languages.

"From this September, the English language will start to be taught in all schools of the country from the first grade."

The news was announced by the Minister of Education Evis Kushi, in her speech at the Socialist Party Congress a few weeks ago.

Unlike previous years when English started in the third grade, from September 13 it will start to be taught in the first grade.

Just three months before the start of the new school year, through special order, the Ministry of Education has approved the English language program for the first grade.

English will be the first language for all students, from first grade to 12th grade.

The implementation of this decision, which unifies English as the foreign language that will be taught in the compulsory education cycle, is expected to create a relief in terms of parents' concern that in some schools of 9-year education, English was offered, and in some others French.

Over the years, the interest in learning English among Albanian children has been high, given the fact that many parents pay for learning this language by sending their children to private courses.

Early learning of English is seen as closely linked to knowledge and the use of technology.

The initiative for the introduction of English in all schools of the country since the first grade was also part of the action plan for education, presented during the election campaign by Prime Minister Rama himself in March.