Cameroon’s Constitution places English and French on an equal footing and requires the state to promote nationwide bilingualism. Law No. 2019/019 strengthens the right to receive public information, documents and services in the official language of one’s choice. Public employees are expected to receive language training for this purpose; private companies and organisations are encouraged to promote bilingualism. The National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (CNPBM) advises the Presidency and monitors the development of official bilingualism. Formal language acquisition takes place in French- and English-speaking school systems. The Ministry of Secondary Education (MINESEC) also provides bilingual French-English and English-French programs. A French-speaking secondary-school pathway lasts approximately seven years: four years in the first cycle, two years in the second cycle and one final year. Depending on the school and educational stream, German, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian or Portuguese may be added as further languages. Provision depends on the location, institution and relevant educational stream. The official examination board (Cameroon GCE Board) organises official examinations. External candidates may register for the Ordinary Level examination (GCE Ordinary Level), with a maximum of eleven subjects; however, at least six subjects must be taken, including English, French and mathematics. At Advanced Level, English, French and Special Bilingual Education French subject (Special Bilingual Education French) are among the designated language subjects. The Board also provides a service for testing English proficiency. A uniform nationwide language certificate with a generally recognised CEFR classification has not been established. National languages, often referred to as langues nationales, enjoy constitutional protection and are promoted by the Ministry of Basic Education (MINEDUB) and its Department of Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education. Since 2018, languages and cultures have been integrated into school programs. Centres for the Promotion of National Languages (Centres de Promotion des Langues Nationales) have been planned or established for all 360 districts. The ELAN-Africa pilot program (ELAN-Africa) works, among others, with Ewondo, Bassa, Ghomala, Fulfulde and Duala. In 2024, it reached 19,950 children in 43 pilot schools. The choice of a national language depends on the centre’s surroundings and local conditions. For adults, Functional Literacy Centres (CAF) and Centres d’Éducation de Base Non Formelle (CEBNF) are available. CAF primarily target learners aged 15 and over; CEBNF support children aged 8 to 14 who are outside the regular school system or have never attended school. Both offerings operate at levels 1 to 3 and may use a national language alongside English or French. In the 2022/23 school year, there were 918 CAF with 28,666 learners and 151 CEBNF with 6,845 learners. Provision is strongly concentrated in rural areas and is delivered by public, private and community institutions. For children, access to bilingual offerings, national-language programs and regular language instruction depends on the English- or French-speaking school system, the individual school, the centre and the local language situation. Enrolment in a bilingual stream therefore does not automatically guarantee equally secure command of both official languages. In everyday life and professional settings, English and French have the greatest practical use nationwide. National languages primarily serve local, community, cultural and literacy-related functions. A legal requirement for private companies to employ bilingual staff has not been established. At higher-education institutions and in language-focused professions, study programs are available in English, French, bilingual literature, foreign languages, and national languages and cultures. Écoles normales supérieures and Higher Teacher Training Colleges provide training for these fields. The translators’ and interpreters’ advanced school (Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters) at the University of Buea offers master’s and certificate programs in translation and interpreting, including English-French, French-English and French-English-Spanish. Internships involving public- and private-sector translation practice form part of these pathways. Digital offerings supplement instruction. The MINESEC Distance Education Centre provides digital lessons and materials nationwide. An online learning platform reported in 2025 also uses artificial-intelligence tools; digital classrooms and teaching materials for national languages are additionally being expanded. Actual use nevertheless depends on internet access, devices, electricity supply, data costs and the relevant provider. There is no uniform national fee schedule for language courses, adult education, examinations, higher-education programs or private offerings. Fees, registration deadlines and admission requirements are based on the current information provided by the responsible school, institution, examination or platform. No central nationwide register for language courses, placement levels or a generally valid adult certificate has been established. Because no specific administrative district or city is given, this information cannot be used to identify regional providers, fees or deadlines.
Languages in Cameroon
English and French are equal official languages in Cameroon; proficiency in them facilitates education, employment and access to public services. National languages are supported by the state, but their learning provision varies regionally and institutionally. Language learning mainly takes place in English- and French-speaking schools, bilingual programs, adult education centres, higher-education institutions, private courses and digital learning offerings. There is no uniform nationwide fee or certification system for language courses.
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