English is widely used in Nauru's government, commerce, technology and mass media. Dei-Naoero, also called Nauruan, remains the native and community language. The Naoero Language Authority Act 2025 provides for the protection, promotion, development and use of Dei-Naoero, including a dictionary, grammar and usage books, vernacular literature and incorporation into the school curriculum. The Nauru Language Commission is assigned under the Department of Education, but practical implementation and course availability are still developing. Children aged 5 to 18 follow free compulsory schooling. The education sequence begins with preschool at age 5, followed by Prep, eight years of Primary and four years of Secondary education. English is the prescribed language of instruction, although Nauruan teachers may use Dei-Naoero to clarify lessons. The national curriculum runs to Year 10, while Years 11 and 12 can lead to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). The 2025 school calendar used four terms of ten weeks. Parents have daily attendance duties; the official 2024 Education Act summary lists a $50 penalty for a first offence, $250 for a later offence in the same case, and $1,000 for an employer who breaches school-hours requirements. For school leavers and adults, the Department of Vocational Training and Professional Development, the Nauru TVET Centre and Pacific TAFE provide pathways that combine language development with vocational study. Literacy, language and numeracy (LLN) support can include diagnostic testing, help with English learning materials and assessments, LLN lessons and support outside class. English literacy and written communication can affect completion of technical and vocational programs. The University of the South Pacific (USP), including its Nauru pathway, offers English preparation through USP and Pacific TAFE. Preliminary English consists of LLP14 Preliminary English A and LLP15 Preliminary English B, normally taken in Semesters 1 and 2. Foundation English consists of LLF14 Foundation English A and LLF15 Foundation English B and supports progression towards undergraduate study. The courses develop listening, speaking, reading and writing together with grammar, vocabulary, everyday English and academic English. USP publishes a 2026 fee of AUD 270 for each LLP14 or LLP15 course; the current fee for the LLF courses should be confirmed with USP. The Nauru pathway may be face-to-face, online or blended. The QCE is internationally recognised and accredited through the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). It includes literacy and numeracy requirements and, for 2026, academic-integrity requirements. USP also accepts IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge and IB results, or certain English-medium study equivalents. Nauru does not currently have an evidenced standalone local language certificate, CEFR examination or dedicated local language-test provider. No current Nauru-local course, examination or provider for foreign languages is evidenced. USP offers French and Pacific-language study in its wider regional network, but delivery through the Nauru campus should be checked for the intended semester. A separate Nauru-specific digital language-learning platform has not been identified; online and blended USP study provide the clearest documented digital option.
Languages in Nauru
Language learning in Nauru is centred on English for school, government, work and tertiary study, while Dei-Naoero remains the native language and is gaining formal preservation support. Schools use English as the prescribed teaching language, and teachers may use Dei-Naoero to clarify lessons. Adults can build English skills through TVET and USP pathways, while locally delivered foreign-language courses and standalone language examinations are not currently evidenced.
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