Languages in Vanuatu

Vanuatu's language-learning system combines formal schooling, tertiary study, community practice and home learning. Vernacular languages are local community languages used in families and communities; they are protected as part of the country's national heritage. Bislama has the widest general communication use. English provides the broadest access to formal education, post-school education and training, and employment. French is especially relevant for Francophone and bilingual education and administrative pathways. Under the National Language Policy 2012 and the Education Act, early schooling can use a vernacular language or Bislama as a learning bridge. English or French is introduced around the middle of Year 2, and by Year 3 English or French is generally the teaching language. In Years 7 to 10 and later secondary education, students study both English and French; one functions as the main additional language and the other as a foreign or further language. The policy's 2012 target values should not be treated as current measured outcomes. School examinations follow different language schedules. English is examined in senior secondary education in Year 12 and can continue to the SPFSC pathway in Year 13. French is examined in Year 13 and can continue to the DAEU pathway in Year 14. The school branch and the current Ministry of Education and Training calendar determine the applicable examination arrangements. Schools submit examination fees to the state, and no nationwide separate language-learning fee for the school pathway is evidenced. The Ministry of Education and Training, its School Programs Division and its Examinations and Assessment Unit oversee school language programs and examinations. The Vanuatu Institute of Teacher Education supports teacher education. The Language Services Department in the Ministry of the Prime Minister is another relevant public body for language matters. Article 64 provides access to state services in an official language used by the person; the Ombudsman provides a complaint pathway when a public-service language issue requires review. Tertiary and post-school options are more varied. USP Emalus in Port Vila and its subcentres in Torba, Sanma, Malampa and Tafea use blended and in-person teaching. Pacific TAFE offers Preliminary English A and B and Foundation English A and B in 2026, covering listening, speaking, reading and writing. UU114 English Language Skills for Tertiary Studies is used in the first undergraduate year, while students with lower English may take a preliminary or foundation course first. The Confucius Institute provides Chinese language and culture study. Vanuatu Language Studies at USP includes subjects such as Bislama, Languages of Vanuatu, Contemporary Bislama, Teaching of Vanuatu Languages, texts and translation, and topic-based study. The 2026 listings mark these subjects as not offered in the relevant semesters. Undergraduate admission requires a working knowledge of Bislama, so this is an academic and teacher-focused pathway rather than a general beginner course. The USP Pacific Languages Unit may also offer credit courses or short workshops in translation, dictionary-making, writing systems and curriculum design. Central listings do not establish regular beginner courses in individual local languages, their fees or their dates. There is no evidenced nationwide equivalent to a general adult language-school system. Community, church, NGO and local literacy programs may provide useful alternatives, but their availability, accreditation, fees and schedules vary. For post-school education and training, the provider must be registered with the Vanuatu Qualifications Authority when registration is required, and VQF or VQA recognition applies only to the relevant registered provider and course. Check the provider and course status before enrolling or paying. The MoET Home School Package provides free downloadable home-learning materials. It includes ten-week materials for Years 1 to 6 in Bislama-French and Bislama-English and materials for Years 7 to 10 in English and French. These resources support learning at home with parents, carers, communities, church leaders and chiefs, but they do not show that every island has equal access to devices or internet service. USP uses Moodle, blended learning and Emalus Wi-Fi. The MoET 2020-2030 strategy identifies uneven and underused ICT access and sets a goal of broadband at all schools by 2030; that goal does not prove complete current coverage. Costs and timing depend on the pathway. School learning follows the school calendar. USP study follows semesters and may add tuition, admission and travel costs that vary by provider and location. PSET costs also depend on the provider and course. No central nationwide price list for language courses is evidenced. For everyday communication, English and Bislama usually offer the broadest practical benefit, French matters for Francophone and bilingual pathways, and a local vernacular language is especially valuable for family, community, identity, learning support and language-resource work.