Languages in Eswatini

Eswatini's language-learning system combines formal, non-formal and informal pathways. The Ministry of Education and Training oversees public education, while the Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA), Sebenta National Institute, the University of Eswatini Institute of Distance Education (UNESWA-IDE), Southern African Nazarene University (SANU), private schools and international schools provide different learning or assessment options. Family and community use, private tutoring and self-study also contribute, but no single national language-learning portal is established. In public primary education, siSwati is the usual language of instruction in Grades 1 to 4 and English becomes the language of instruction from Grade 5. Teachers in the early grades may use siSwati when learners need additional explanation. SiSwati remains a required subject in general education, while English is taught throughout general education. French is available in the primary curriculum and can continue in secondary education. The curriculum framework allows siSwati or English as a medium, with the policy specifying the transition to English from Grade 5. Adult learners can follow a siSwati literacy pathway through Sebenta's Basic Literacy programme, which lasts about nine months. After completing siSwati literacy or passing an assessment, learners can enter Basic and Post Basic English and Numeracy, which normally take about two years and support written and spoken English for further education and work. Sebenta's NUPE pathway uses both English and siSwati, leads to a Grade 7 equivalent and can support progression to Form 1. Emlalatini Development Centre offers part-time options for working learners, including English, English as a second language and siSwati as a first language at Junior Certificate and SGCSE level. Language examinations are linked to ECESWA qualifications such as the EPC, JC, EGCSE and IGCSE. Relevant EGCSE options include First Language SiSwati, Siswati as a Second Language and English Language. French can be studied through school pathways, including EPC, JC and IGCSE French, or through UNESWA-IDE's certificate in French or Portuguese. The UNESWA-IDE certificate normally takes at least two years and includes 18 modules; some learners may enter the second year with at least three SGCSE, IGCSE or GCE O-Level passes, including the target language. UNESWA-IDE combines classes, online lectures, tutorials, CDs and self-study. SANU offers French Studies, SiSwati Studies and English Studies, as well as academic communication and English-for-academic-purposes support. Portuguese is a smaller specialist pathway, and Spanish is available through selected private or international schools such as Waterford Kamhlaba. English supports schooling, tertiary education and much formal-sector work. SiSwati is highly useful for local communication, cultural participation and community relationships. No general language requirement applies to every occupation, although a school, employer or profession may set language expectations for a particular role. For people seeking conversational and cultural Siswati, Siswati Setfu provides a six-month pathway associated with the Sebenta and Ministry of Education context; a current official fee was not established. Digital learning exists through UNESWA-IDE Moodle, online lectures, tutorials and CDs, but local digital language provision remains fragmented rather than concentrated in a verified national app or massive open online course. Reported literacy figures show that 73.3% of people can read and write simple sentences in both siSwati and English, 18.2% only in siSwati and 1.0% in another language. These figures underline why a practical plan often combines siSwati literacy with English development instead of treating the two languages as competing choices.