L’ENSEIGNEMENT DU FRANÇAIS AU NIVEAU SUPERIEUR AU KENYA

NOUVEAUX DEFIS, NOUVELLES APPROCHES

Abstract

As technology transforms the world into a global village, people become more and more exposed to different cultures and opportunities. Opportunities for a better life, better education, better employment. Languages – especially foreign languages - have gained a special status in education systems. People want to learn other languages to be able to communicate and take advantage of what other countries have to offer. French as a foreign language was introduced into the Kenyan education system with noble objectives, the main one being to facilitate communication between Kenya and francophone members of the then African Union. In the late 1960s French was introduced into the university system and is today the most popular foreign language studied. Most institutions of higher learning in Kenya offer courses in French either as a main subject or as a support subject. However, the teaching/learning of this language has not been without challenges. The main objective of this paper was to examine the programmes offered, how they are organized and their relevance to the teaching/learning of French as a foreign language. It also investigated the challenges and the new approaches that could enhance the teaching and learning of French in institutions of higher learning