Certificate in French Language Literacy
The Certificate in French Language Literacy provides foundational skills in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding French. Students learn basic French grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversational skills for everyday communication. The programme is designed for individuals seeking basic French language competency for academic, professional, or personal purposes.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 120,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 30,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 64,500 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of D+ or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3 months, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 institutions.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in basic French conversation, reading simple French texts, writing short compositions, and understanding spoken French in everyday contexts. The curriculum covers French grammar fundamentals, vocabulary building, pronunciation, conversational French, and an introduction to Francophone culture. The programme emphasises practical communication skills through interactive language practice.
French is one of the most widely spoken languages globally and is an official language in many African countries, including Kenya's neighbours in the East African Community and beyond. Kenya's strategic position bordering Francophone countries, its role in international organisations, and the presence of French-speaking diplomatic missions and NGOs create demand for basic French language skills. French competency is also valuable in tourism, hospitality, and international business.
The programme combines classroom lectures with interactive language practice. Students participate in conversation exercises, listening comprehension activities, reading practice, and writing assignments. Teaching methods include communicative language teaching, role-play, audio-visual materials, and interactive exercises. The programme is delivered on a full-time and part-time basis and is open to all applicants regardless of academic background.
Graduates use their French language skills in various contexts including tourism, hospitality, international organisations, NGOs, diplomatic missions, and cross-border trade. The certificate provides a foundation for further French language study at diploma or degree level. Some graduates combine French literacy with other qualifications to enhance their employability in Francophone-facing roles.
This programme is ideal for individuals with no prior French knowledge who wish to gain basic language competency. The open entry requirement makes it accessible to all, including professionals, students, and individuals preparing for travel or work in Francophone environments.
What you study
8 subjects- French Grammar Fundamentals
- French Vocabulary Building
- French Pronunciation and Phonetics
- Conversational French
- French Reading Comprehension
- French Writing Skills
- Listening Comprehension
- Francophone Culture and Civilisation
Modules
4 in the programmeFrench Grammar Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Basic French grammar covering articles, nouns, adjectives, verb conjugation (present tense), sentence structure, and gender agreement.
French Vocabulary and Pronunciation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
French vocabulary building for everyday situations including greetings, numbers, time, family, food, and travel, combined with pronunciation and phonetics practice.
Conversational French
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical conversational French covering introductions, asking for directions, shopping, ordering food, and everyday interactions in Francophone environments.
Reading, Writing and Francophone Culture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Reading simple French texts, writing short compositions and messages, and an introduction to Francophone culture, customs, and civilisation in Africa and beyond.
Specialisations
Conversational French
Focus on spoken French for everyday communication, travel, and social interactions in Francophone environments.
French for Tourism and Hospitality
Focus on French vocabulary and communication skills specific to tourism, hospitality, and customer service contexts.
French for Business and Trade
Focus on French language skills for cross-border trade, business communication, and professional interactions with Francophone partners.
A day as a student
A typical day involves interactive French language lessons covering grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation. Students participate in speaking exercises, listening comprehension activities, reading practice with simple French texts, and writing short compositions. Audio-visual materials and role-play exercises reinforce learning.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| French is valuable for tourism, diplomacy, NGO work, and trade with Francophone African countries. | The elementary certificate provides only basic competency; professional-level French requires further study. |
| Open entry requirement makes the programme accessible to all applicants regardless of academic background. | French language roles typically require additional qualifications beyond basic language literacy. |
| Provides a foundation for further French language study at diploma or degree level. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 188 arts & humanities coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
Chuka 18K, Utalii 120K/yr (joweri, utalii.ac.ke). Summit 45K, MIST 64.5K/yr (summit, mist.ac.ke)
HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities.
Funding options
HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies
Scholarships you could apply for
12 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Open to all applicants. KCSE certificate or equivalent. No specific subject requirements.
When it next starts
Taught at 6 institutionsIncluding Chuka University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.
Including Chuka University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.
Including Chuka University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing skills in French.
Oral and Listening Assessment
Practical assessment40% of the mark
Practical assessment of conversational French, pronunciation, and listening comprehension through oral examinations and listening exercises.
End of Course Examination
Written examination30% of the mark
Final written examination covering all modules including grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Chuka University is chartered by CUE. Optional DELF certification available through Alliance Française.
Chuka University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is listed as 'Elementary Certificate in French Language Literacy' and is open to all applicants.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesTourism Assistant (French-speaking)
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 45,000
Assists in tourism and hospitality establishments serving Francophone visitors, using basic French for communication and customer service.
NGO Programme Assistant (Francophone)
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supports NGO programmes in Francophone regions of Africa, using basic French for communication and coordination.
Customer Service Assistant (French)
Low demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 50,000
Provides customer service in French for international organisations, airlines, or companies serving Francophone markets.
Cross-border Trade Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 16,000 to Ksh 40,000
Supports trade activities with Francophone neighbours, using basic French for communication with trading partners and border authorities.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates use French language skills in tourism, hospitality, international organisations, and cross-border trade, with the certificate serving as a foundation for further language study.
Tools you will learn
Duolingo (French Practice)
Software
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
French is too difficult to learn.
French shares vocabulary with English and follows systematic grammar rules. With consistent practice, basic conversational competency is achievable in a short period.
French is not useful in Kenya.
French is valuable in Kenya for tourism, diplomacy, international organisations, NGO work, and trade with Francophone neighbours including DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi.
A short certificate cannot provide meaningful language skills.
The elementary certificate provides foundational conversational competency and a base for further study, sufficient for basic communication in Francophone environments.
French language skills are only for language teachers.
French competency enhances employability across tourism, hospitality, international business, diplomacy, and NGO sectors, not just teaching.