Kenya Sends 169 Teachers to France Under Language Exchange Programme

Kenyan Teachers Head to France Under Language Exchange Programme

Kenya will send 169 participants to France for the 2026–27 academic year under the French language assistant programme, with the group due to work in primary and secondary schools from October 2026 to April 2027.

The assistants will teach English while improving their French language skills and gaining international work experience. The cohort includes 90 first-time participants and 79 returning assistants.

Kenya joined the programme in 2019 and has since sent about 650 assistants to France, making it the leading African contributor and sixth globally. It is now the fourth-largest contributor among countries whose assistants teach English in French schools.

The programme is jointly managed by the French Embassy and Alliance Française. Applicants must have at least a B1 level of French proficiency. Before travelling to France, the 2026–27 participants completed intensive preparation sessions in Nairobi and Mombasa, including training at Lycée Français Denis Diderot. The training focused on preparing the participants for French classrooms by developing their cultural awareness and teaching skills.

Kenya’s Secretary for Diaspora, Investment, Skills and Expertise, Isaiya Kabira, said multilingualism was becoming increasingly important for Kenyans seeking employment abroad. He cited countries such as Germany and Japan, where language barriers can limit access to employment opportunities.

“Proficiency in additional languages is becoming increasingly important for Kenyans pursuing jobs abroad,” Kabira said, linking the programme to wider efforts to improve employability in international labour markets.

French Ambassador to Kenya Wadid Benaabou described the programme as a form of people-to-people diplomacy. He said participants would serve as informal cultural links between Kenya and France.

Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said the assistants were expected to return to Kenya with new ideas and perspectives that could contribute to the country’s education system. The programme places about 4,500 language assistants around the world each year. Participants teach languages including English, German, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin and Arabic.

For Kenya, the programme provides participants with international work experience, language skills and exposure to another education system. It also supports wider efforts to develop skills and expand international education and employment opportunities. Applications for the 2027–28 intake are scheduled to open in January 2027.