The Challenges Faced by EFL Teachers in Implementing the First-Year Middle School English Textbook in Algeria Middle School Teachers of English in Ghardaïa as a case study

Abstract

English language education in Algeria underwent major reforms to meet the demands of globalization, with the Competency-Based Approach (CBA) at its core. Within this framework, the new first year middle textbook, my book of English, serves as a vital pedagogical tool to achieve the national educational goals. However, the successful implementation of this tool in real classroom remains associated with several pedagogical and educational challenges, and research on the specific difficulties teachers face with this new textbook is currently limited. The main objectives of this study are to identify the primary obstacles encountered by EFL teachers in Ghardaïa while using the textbook, explore the strategies they use to overcome these barriers, and evaluate the extent to which the textbook aligns with local pedagogical needs. This research adopts a descriptive mixed-method approach; to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to a purposive sample of 30 middle school teachers. The findings revealed several implementation challenges, particularly learners’ low proficiency levels, overcrowded classrooms, limited instructional time, and the lack of teaching resources. Key results also indicate a misalignment between the textbook and official didactic guide, that force teachers to adapt activities, simplify content, and rely on supplementary materials to bridge the gap between theory and practice. These findings suggest that for effective implementation, the future textbooks’ design must better reflect the Algerian classroom and cultural realities, alongside the professional training and pedagogical support that authorities should provide to empower teachers as they navigate the changes of the educational reforms.