In your country, was there a time when English was NOT the main foreign language taught?

Before WW2 German here was more spreader in schools than English

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Originally Posted by Salty Ears

Before WW2 German here was more spreader in schools than English

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And during the Cold War?

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Originally Posted by sacha

Of course, French. French is dying amongst the populace, though; there is a higher emphasis on Arabic education now, but many classes are in English. I did all of my schooling in French, English as a 'foreign language' and the only Arabic class I had was a literature class, which I did not take after I was, 14? Don't remember, because I was focusing on the sciences and that was all in French. Then I did the beginning of my university in Arabic but eventually I ended up in Europe taking things in English and French again.

I went to private French Catholic school though, partially in Lebanon, so I am not sure exactly what the public school kids did but I know they did more Arabic. Nowadays they teach mainly in Arabic and English at the same time, French or Russian (French more popular, they only just started offering Russian) as 'foreign language.' Kids do not speak French at all outside of the more educated ones, they just removed it from the Syrian passport.

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I believe that quite a few ex-French colonies are abandoning French in favour of English, even Algeria. (It would be rather droll if the opposite occurred - imagine India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Ghana switching from English to French!)

French during and before the XIX century, I guess. And German.

In Turkey, French was the primary foreign language until 80s due to Ottoman-French relations.

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Originally Posted by Tooting Carmen

And during the Cold War?

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1. English
2.French or German, now they often goes as second foreign language (usually subject for kids after 10 y.o) with growing popularity of chineese and spanish

It used to be German and Russian

Prior to the 90's, most people learned Russian in school. My mom was really good at it and maintained it through adulthood. I did English classes as a little kid. Some people have always done German as a second language, but it's never been as common as Russian or English.

Czech Republic/Slovakia.

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Originally Posted by Loxie

It used to be German and Russian

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Until when?

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Originally Posted by Tooting Carmen

Until when?

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Russian was obviously mandatory until we parted with Soviet Union.

I'm not really sure when the transition from German to English happened.. Maybe somewhere in the 1970-80s? I just know that all the older folks learned German in school, and then gradually English replaced it.