Salim Bouherar

Universite Setif 2, Language and English, Faculty Member

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Salim Bouherar research covers multidisciplinary areas: the comprehension process of idioms, teaching and learning idioms, the teaching approaches of English language, teaching materials of English as a foreign language, and linguistic and cultural imperialism in teaching materials of English as a foreign language.
He has participated in different international conferences and wrote on the overlap of religion and culture, idiom processing and teaching, and the relevance-theoretic account of figurative aspects of language.
Supervisors: Dr. Anna Charalambidou, Prof. Billy Clark, and Prof. Paul Cobley

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Papers by Salim Bouherar

Editorial: Language research on sustainability, ecology, and pro-environmental behavior

Frontiers in Psychology

Understanding Cancel Culture in Higher Education in the Arab World

Higher Education Policy

Introducing Algerian Historical, Sociolinguistic and Glotto-Political Dynamics

Algerian Languages in Education, 2021

Algerian Languages in Education

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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The History of in Algeria

Algerian Languages in Education, 2021

Examples of in

Algerian Languages in Education, 2021

as an Act of Linguistic and and Language

Algerian Languages in Education, 2021

Authenticity in Communicative Approach: Implications in Algerian ELT Context

Academia Letters, 2021

Sustainability and educational language policy in Arab higher education: findings from Q research

Current Issues in Language Planning

This study examined whether institutions of higher education in the Arab world have adopted appro... more This study examined whether institutions of higher education in the Arab world have adopted approaches that promote linguistic sustainability. Specifically, we used Q methodology to explore 30 graduates’ perceptions of whether the educational language policies in force during their tertiary education positively impacted their wellbeing after graduation. Based on their priorities, the graduates sorted 29 statements that articulated some of the social, cultural and economic impacts of their universities’ educational language policies. The results show that graduates took four distinct positions, which were given labels representing their general sentiments: We deserved better, We wanted more, It was enough but not everything and We cannot complain. This study concludes that three main linguistic areas were neglected in these graduates’ tertiary studies: language and identity, investment as a second language learning construct and parallellingualism. We maintain that higher education institutions could provide a more sustainable linguistic experience for Arab graduates by addressing these shortcomings, among others.

Sustainability and educational language policy in Arab higher education: findings from Q research

by Salim Bouherar and Hadeel Abdelkarim H M ALKhatib

An Appraisal View: Expertise Thoughts and Recommendations on Education and Resisting in Algeria

Algerian Languages in Education

Conclusion: A Long Path with No Destination

Algerian Languages in Education

Authenticity in Communicative Approach: Implications in Algerian ELT Context

Academia Letters, 2021

Algeria follows an educational system that dictates the teaching of English from the early beginn... more Algeria follows an educational system that dictates the teaching of English from the early beginning of the middle school stage. Although English was an inevitable result of parents' choice as the first-rate language for their primary school children in the 90s, it was never made applicable to rival with the French language privileged place. Many attempts were made to diminish the prestigious status of the French language in Algerian education and other domains but more political agendas seem to resuscitate the French presence in the country (

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Broadening Relevance: The Polemic Property of Concepts in Metaphorical Language

The lexical pragmatic processes that relevance theory heavily relies on to account for communicat... more The lexical pragmatic processes that relevance theory heavily relies on to account for communication are problematic. Broadening and narrowing no longer seem suitable to explain how "conceptual" meanings are modified in the comprehension processes if considering recent developments around the concept definitions and how the mind works. Using theoretical suggestions in psycholinguistics to shed light on the issue raised, the paper makes two main suggestions. Firstly, the account of concepts in relevance theory should be reconsidered to allow for more flexibility. An account of metaphors based on pragmatic adjustment of one of its constituents under the influence of another, as well as contextual assumption, does not seem a viable mental process involved in metaphor comprehension since it should not only allow flexibility of semantic associations but also a reconsideration of concepts as entities and encyclopaedical information as mere conceptual characteristics. Secondly, more cultural awareness and influence should be integrated into the relevance theoretical account of meaning since cultural traits are often considered by speakers in reaching relevance. Moreover, pre-existing conceptual knowledge varies greatly between individuals and thus the comprehension of metaphor should no longer be treated as a static process but rather a highly dynamic one.

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Idiom Understanding and Teaching: Do We Need to Assume a Target Culture

This paper argues that learning idioms can be more effective when assuming first language cultura... more This paper argues that learning idioms can be more effective when assuming first language cultural contexts because easier access to relevant contextual assumptions from first language context reduces processing loads and makes learning easier. This is also consistent with Winkler's (2012) view that learning can have better results when it takes place in an environment that corresponds to learners' needs. This paper reports on results from a pilot study with participants in the UK and Algeria who are teachers and learners of English as a second and foreign language. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with UK and Algerian teachers to know about their current teaching practice. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with learners who worked with some teaching materials. Learners were assigned into two groups, both taught idioms in English by the same teacher for a four-week period. In group 1, participants worked with teaching materials which assumed first language cultural contexts however in group 2 students worked with teaching materials that assumed target cultural context. All students were tested pre-and post the four-week study. The results revealed that students' and teacher's attitudes to the first language culture activities were positive but the language tests did not provide evidence of significant differences between the two groups.

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Home Cultures and Idiom Processing: A Short Cut to Encyclopaedic Assumptions of Idioms

This paper forms a part of my PhD research on idiom comprehension and processing through home cul... more This paper forms a part of my PhD research on idiom comprehension and processing through home cultures. The article argues that using home cultural assumptions in teaching idioms could result in easy and quick processing of such figurative aspects of speech. Shedding light on the nature of teaching, however, reveals that teaching English in Algeria is a fairly target culture-based process. This can slow the comprehension process and on some occasions, confuse the learner. This paper reveals the results of a set of semi-structured interviews and comprehension tests that were conducted with teachers and learners. Learners were divided into two groups and taught throughout a four-week period using teaching materials that assumed home and target culture lessons of idioms, respectively. Students sat for a pre-and a post-test and were also interviewed after finishing the lessons. The results revealed that students recorded positive reactions toward home culture based teaching of idioms. Comprehension tests also reported a significant difference between the two groups' performance on idiom comprehension.

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Religion and Culture in Algeria: The Impact of Religious Interpretations on Social Practices

It is almost impossible to separate culture and religion in Algeria because of the huge overlap b... more It is almost impossible to separate culture and religion in Algeria because of the huge overlap between the two. Despite the globalised world we live in now, most of the Algerian societies are still conservative. In this paper, I shed light on the relationship between religion and culture in Algeria and unveil the nature of this reciprocal relationship by digging into the religious jurisprudence and social practices of Algerians. This paper discusses the religious practices in Algeria and their effect on the Algerian social practices including cultural practices. It explores the
various religious jurisprudence and clarifies their ideologies. This paper also stresses that the tenets and beliefs of religion are one but the interpretation of individuals varies accordingly. The article also shows that a large proportion of Algerian culture is derived from Islamic beliefs and therefore the practices echo people’s religious belongings. This paper aims to show that religion is the main source that can explain most of the people's social and cultural practices

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Books by Salim Bouherar

Sustainability in Algerian Higher Education Balancing Emerging Reforms, Outcomes, and Practices

book, 2025

Algerian Languages in Education: Conflicts and Reconciliation

Palgrave McMillan , 2021

This book examines the role of foreign languages and cultures in the Algerian educational system,... more This book examines the role of foreign languages and cultures in the Algerian educational system, highlighting how cultural imperialism and supremacy persist through damaging language ideologies and the privileging of colonial languages such as French and English. The authors challenge the claim that the Algerian educational system can be considered ‘neutral’, arguing instead that it was and still is the outcome of a conflict between Arabised and Francophone elites, serving strategic and ideological objectives rather than cultural or pedagogical goals. This book will be relevant to students and scholars of language education, language policy and planning, and the history and politics of the Arab and Muslim world, especially those interested in the influence of Western languages and cultures and the democratisation of educational systems

Salim Bouherar

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