About African Languages 

A degree in African language will help you gain proficiency in speaking, writing and reading different African languages. The most common African languages taught in such programmes are Arabic, Swahili, Twi, Yoruba, and Zulu. During the course of your studies, you will not only learn the language but you will also learn about the rich culture of Africa. During the major students will take courses in African languages, culture, society, African literature, syntax, phonology, African world writing, and business communication.

　　African Languages degree programmes offer courses in (usually) five major African languages: Swahili, Yoruba, Twi, Wolof and Zulu. These are taught at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Introductory courses train students to interact in social environments and to read and write fluently in at least 4 to 5 African languages. Intermediate courses emphasise reading and conversational fluency through material drawn from print media and literature. Advanced courses focus on extended discourses and longer texts of literature, politics and media.  

　　Students can also expect the course to include courses regarding African arts, history, cultures, politics and development. In the junior and senior years, students develop analytical ability and specialise in a particular language of their choice.   

　　

Is African Languages right for me?

If you have an appreciation for the African culture or perhaps enjoy learning new languages, then this degree might be a good pick for you. You should have a high verbal IQ as some of the languages are quite similar and it can be challenging when beginning to learn multiple languages at once. However, after the initial courses learning multiple languages together can actually be helpful to you: you’ll develop a better sense of the nuance of words in other languages by comparing and contrasting them. 

　　Something to consider before enrolling in this programme is that many universities that offer African Languages provide you with opportunities to spend a semester in Africa where you can further practice your African language skills and experience the culture. 

　　

African Languages study options and costs

　　The average tuition fee in Europe for a bachelor`s in African studies is Euro 28,654 per year for a four-year degree programme and Euro 33,260 per year for a master`s degree which is a two-year program. In Beijing a bachelor`s degree tuition fee is 25,000-35,000 RMD and a master`s degree programme costs around 30,000 RMD per year. Whereas, in the US a bachelor’s degree in African Languages costs around $25,078 for a bachelor’s degree and around $39,000 for a master’s degree.

　　

Future outlook

Africa is the 2nd largest and 2nd most populous continent on the planet. This coupled with the increasing prioritisation of business-friendly policies by African governments has made African Language graduates highly prized in the job market. The exploration of resources and new trade opportunities with African governments has added to the significance of this subject.  

　　The employment growth rate for African Languages is one of the fastest. Many countries in acknowledgement of Africa’s emerging global importance have designated funds to encourage and promote African Language programmes.  

　　A degree in African Languages will provide you with career opportunities in fields as varied as diplomacy, education, politics, journalism and social work. Due to the small number of graduates with an African Languages degree the job market for African Language graduates is unsaturated and graduates can expect lucrative pay packages. 

　　

Career pathways for African Languages graduated

　　

Translator

  

　　Working as an African language translator, you will be expected to translate 2,000 to 3,000 words a day. Your typical day will include liaising with clients, consulting specialist dictionaries, and using reference books to find accurate translations for industry jargon. You will translate other language texts into an African language or vice versa.  

　　

Foreign Language Professor

 

　　Studying African Languages can help you pursue an academic career and use your specialist knowledge to teach in university departments such as linguistics, philosophy, psychology, speech and communication science or anthropology. You can also choose to become a professor of African Languages after completing your master’s or doctorate.  

　　

Technical Writer

　　Technical writers produce content in close collaboration with graphic designers, user experience designers, software developers, and testers. The role mainly involves gathering information, planning content, and writing technical documents to educate consumers about a product or service in the form of manuals, whitepapers, business correspondence, etc.

　　

Lexicographer

 

　　Lexicographers write, compile and edit dictionaries for native speakers, English learners, professionals and bilingual speakers. They monitor and record new words and check the accuracy of their texts, in their editorial work 

　　

Forensic Linguist

 

　　Forensic linguists perform emergency calls, suicide letters, threat communication and language analysis on social media during legal proceedings for law firms, police and governments to help solve crimes.