Languages in Malawi

Malawi's formal education system develops oral language skills in English and Chichewa during pre-primary education. In primary education, English is the teaching language under the Education Act and Chichewa is taught as a subject; the Malawi Institute of Education's 2025 curriculum continues to use both languages. English and Chichewa remain core languages in lower secondary education. Learners may also study French, Kiswahili, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese or Portuguese as foreign-language subjects, depending on the available program and institution. English supports formal education, public administration, parliamentary work and international mobility. Chichewa supports everyday and community communication, adult literacy and basic digital learning. Other widely used Malawian languages include Chitumbuka, Chiyao, Chilomwe, Chisena, Chitonga, Chinkhonde, Chingoni and Chilambya. Their regional distribution affects which teachers, materials and courses are available. The Constitution protects the right to use a language of one's choice, but no verified constitutional status makes Chichewa an official language. Adults can join Community Adult Literacy classes coordinated by the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare. In 2024, the program reported about 8,000 Chichewa classes and 1,633 English classes, with additional provision from non-governmental and faith-based organizations. The program focuses particularly on rural areas and women. A National Education Sector Investment Plan finding indicated assessment after about ten months of intensive learning. No nationwide fee schedule or quality guarantee for adult language learning has been verified, so access, timing and cost can vary locally. The University of Malawi Centre for Language Studies offers short courses in Chichewa, Chitumbuka, Chiyao, Chisena, Chiitonga, Chilomwe, English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. It also provides translation, interpreting and editing services. Current course dates and prices were not verified. The Malawi College of Distance Education and its distance-learning structures develop print, online, offline and radio materials. Tikwere Interactive Radio uses MBC Radio 1, MBC Radio 2 and EBS online, mainly for school-related learning and as a functional option where travel or connectivity is difficult. The BEFIT program reaches primary-school children through literacy-focused sessions using a Chichewa avatar called Alefa; it is not a general language course. The Malawi National Examinations Board conducts the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination, Junior Certificate of Education and Malawi School Certificate of Education. The Malawi School Certificate of Education requires English and either six passed subjects including English with at least one Distinction or Credit, or five subjects including English with at least three Distinctions or Credits. A Certificate by Accumulation can combine results from up to four consecutive sittings. Candidates register through an approved centre and must provide correct details, meet the deadline, pay directly where required, present identification and follow the examination code of conduct. External candidates may pay subject, entry, administration, form, centre and identification fees; the processing fee recorded in the research is MWK 10,000, while 2026 MANEB fees were not verified. For international English certification, the British Council offers IELTS computer tests in Blantyre and Lilongwe. The researched fees were MWK 510,800 for Academic or General Training, MWK 555,000 for UKVI Academic or General Training and MWK 342,000 for UKVI Life Skills A1 or B1. Candidates need a valid identity document or passport; applicants under 18 need written consent from a parent or guardian. Test dates and fees can change. Language choice also matters in legal settings: a person being arrested or tried must receive information and proceedings in a language they understand or with an interpreter.