Languages in Mozambique

School language arrangements differ between monolingual Portuguese education and bilingual education. In bilingual programs, a Mozambican language or Língua de Sinais de Moçambique serves as the first teaching language while Portuguese is introduced as a second language. During grades 1 to 3, the local language is used for teaching and as a subject, while Portuguese is taught as a subject. Grades 4 and 5 normally bring a gradual shift toward Portuguese, which becomes the full teaching language from grade 6. Availability depends on the school, district, teachers and learning materials, so families cannot assume that every preferred language is offered. Public basic education under the National Education System has no tuition, registration or examination fees and provides schoolbooks under the stated policy, although transport and uniforms can still create costs. Compulsory education covers ages 6 to 15 for primary education and the first secondary cycle, with registration and attendance duties for guardians. Adult education and literacy programs use Portuguese together with five Mozambican languages in formal and non-formal settings, but local language options and teacher or material availability remain uneven between regions. English has a formal place in the first cycle of general secondary education and is widely relevant to study, international companies and professional communication. The UEM Center of Languages offers Portuguese for foreigners, Mozambican languages for foreigners, English, Arabic, Spanish, French and Italian, with levels I to IV and advanced courses as well as academic, technical, oral and written language training. Its regular courses usually run from February to June and from August to December and may be collective, individual, small-group or institution-based; non-regular courses can be arranged according to demand. Camões Portuguese-language centers operate in Maputo, Beira, Lichinga, Nampula, Quelimane and Xai-Xai. Course prices outside public basic education depend on the provider and course; a British Council General English term listed for 2026 cost MZN 28,875, with sessions from June 3 to July 29, August 12 to October 7, and October 21 to December 16. Portuguese proficiency examinations are available through CAPLE in Maputo at the Centro Cultural Português and the Embassy of Portugal, while the British Council offers IELTS, Aptis and other international examinations. UEM also provides placement and proficiency tests and examination preparation. The identified systems do not establish one nationally uniform general certificate for Mozambican languages. Distance education is legally available across the National Education System; INED coordinates, regulates and accredits it, while IEDA provides web-based or physical self-learning materials with tutor support. The EEAD 2023–2032 survey recorded 20 providers and 129 courses or programs based on 2021 data, but these figures are not language-specific. UNICEF's Learning Passport provides curriculum-based digital primary resources, while Giga supports connectivity; local-language digital coverage is not established, so internet access and offline availability need checking. Portuguese is the practical choice for state services, school and formal national communication, local languages support community access and inclusion, and English is often the stronger choice for international study or work. A nationwide language requirement for private-sector jobs is not established in the identified sources.