Bilingual education can integrate the English language into this system, which should serve as a tool for thought, scientific production, and intercultural dialogue.
The reality is clear: thousands of young people graduate from high school with the desire to pursue studies beyond national borders. However, they see this project compromised due to communication difficulties in the international context.
In this sense, mastering a second language, one that is universal, such as English, the most spoken language in the world, with more than 1.4 billion speakers on the planet, becomes essential. The English language is, therefore, the key to accessing higher education, as well as international networks of knowledge, research, and innovation.
Given this reality, bilingual education takes on a more strategic dimension. You are challenged not to focus solely on the use of Mozambican Bantu languages in conjunction with Portuguese in primary education.
Bilingual education can integrate English into this circuit, which should serve as a tool for thought, scientific production, and intercultural dialogue. It is, in essence, preparing students for a world where knowledge circulates in multiple languages and where the ability to communicate determines the reach of ideas.
This approach to education aligns with the thinking of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria dos Santos Lucas. Recently, the diplomat stated that Mozambican students aspire to other learning opportunities, but face some gaps that can limit their educational journey.
“Bilingual education, especially in English, is fundamental for our students to take advantage of opportunities in countries like Kenya,” she said, pointing to a structural barrier that limits the potential of an entire generation.
Maria dos Santos Lucas made this observation clear during a visit to Kenya, where she advocated for a structural investment in bilingual education as a strategic instrument for academic mobility and international integration.
(By Rafael Langa)
