This archive report was first published on 16 September 2021.
On September 24, 2021, a group of 122 Kenyans will embark on a new adventure, teaching English in France. This milestone marks the third cohort in the linguistic cooperation program between France and Kenya.
Before their departure, the group will spend the week familiarizing themselves with the French school system. They are expected to be at their stations by the beginning of October.
France's Ambassador to Kenya, Aline Kuster-Menager, welcomed the new cohort, saying, 'You are on the threshold of a great adventure! Human, professional, educational and international. Focus on the teaching assistants of English in French schools represents a strong symbol of Franco-Kenyan cooperation and friendship.'
Kenya has a reputation for producing fluent English speakers, ranking second in Africa and 18th globally, according to the English Proficiency Index (EPI). The initiative, under the Ministry of Education of France, allows students from 63 countries to teach English in French primary and secondary schools for seven months.
As Ambassador Kuster-Menager noted, 'You will see that young French people are afraid of making mistakes when they speak English, so your mission will be to make them want to speak.'
