By Pishtaz | 2023-10-19

The Iranian regime has announced a ban on the teaching of all foreign languages in public preschools and elementary schools, in a move denounced by linguists and many Iranian parents with children in the school system.

"Based on current regulations and documents, teaching foreign languages should start after elementary school," Ministry of Education official Massoud Tehrani told state media on Tuesday (October 17).

"The ban on teaching foreign languages includes Arabic as well," he said.

The ministry needs to "offer specific training for families so they could understand the basis of this decision," he said, adding that "children's Iranian identity starts to form when they are in preschool and elementary school."

"Some European countries teach English or French as a second language at these ages, but the reason they do that their languages resemble English or French," he said.

"Farsi, however, does not have any similarity or common base with English, but it does have some similarities with Arabic," Tehrani added.

Teaching English as a second language will continue in public middle schools, according to the government.

Discussions about a ban on the teaching of foreign languages in public preschools and elementary schools began soon after Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi took office, gaining political traction in 2021.

The Raisi administration has referred all issues regarding the eduction of children under the age of seven to the National Organization for Teaching and Training Children -- a new governmental entity.

Although it was not explicitly stated, observers say this organization put forward the decision to ban teaching foreign languages to young children -- a move that is in keeping with Raisi's hardline conservative views.

'A backward move'

Tehrani's remarks are "contradictory in and of themselves," a Shiraz-based linguist who teaches etymology at a public university told Pishtaz.

"He first says no foreign language should be taught at preschool and elementary levels, then says Arabic and Farsi are similar, implying that Arabic could be taught," the linguist said, speaking on condition that his name not be used.

"Note that Tehrani does not cite any research or quotes from a linguist, or even a teacher," he added. "He's in charge of the research department of the Education Ministry, which is a baffling fact."

"Linguistics, pedagogic theory and pedagogic practice have all proven the exact opposite of what the Islamic Republic has decided in this case," he said.

"This is undoubtedly a backward move."

In June 2022, the Ministry of Education signaled its plan to begin a "trial to teach French" in public schools to "eliminate the monopoly of the English language."

But there has been no further official communication about this initiative.

In September, the government announced a ban on international school attendance for Iranian and dual nationals, saying these students were obliged to follow the public school curriculum designed by the Raisi administration.

The decision led to an abrupt decrease in the number of students attending some international schools in Tehran, as well as of those taking classes at French and German institutions, including language schools and cultural centers.

A number of these institutions are affiliated with embassies.

Popular language classes

"This ban will not affect upper middle class and wealthy Iranian families, or even most middle class families, because most of them can afford to send their children to private preschools and schools," said a Kerman-based father.

"My wife and I could have afforded private school, albeit not easily, but we decided to enroll our daughter in a public elementary school," he told Pishtaz, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"She is in the first grade now," he said. "With this new development, we will definitely be moving her to a private school next year."

"I can't afford to send my child to private school, but I will enroll her in after-school English classes," said Tina, a 40-year-old Tehran-based mother who asked that just her first name be used.

There are plenty of affordable English classes on offer, she said, noting that these classes are popular with Iranians.

"The more anti-West policies the regime implements, the more West-crazy Iranians become, and most of them are already in love with the West and Western culture," she said.

An Iran-based university lecturer who teaches Arabic and Islamic history told Pishtaz he takes issue with the government's rationale for banning foreign language education for young children who attend public school.

"This is illogical, even from a religious viewpoint," said the lecturer, who is religious himself but opposes the Iranian regime. "Islam actually encourages learning."

"The 'Iranian identity' has never been something the Islamic Republic touts," he added, asking that his name be withheld.

"In fact, the regime has always demonstrated its dislike for pure Iranian culture and has preferred to spread Islamic propaganda."

"All of a sudden, officials have concluded that they want to strengthen Iranian identity, and the obstacle to strengthening it is [study of] foreign languages? That is one of the most ridiculous, most unreasonable theories I have heard in my 56 years of life," he said.