Eighteen young English language assistants from Southern Africa are preparing to leave for France, where they will take part in the 2026–2027 English Language Assistants Programme.
This year’s cohort includes 14 assistants from South Africa, three from Malawi and one from Lesotho. They will travel to their host regions from late September before beginning their seven-month placements on 1 October 2026.
The assistants will work alongside teachers in primary and secondary schools, helping pupils develop their spoken English while introducing them to the cultures and perspectives of Southern Africa. Their placements span Bordeaux, Besançon, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Nancy-Metz, Nice, Orléans-Tours, Rennes and Toulouse, as well as La Réunion.
Their departure follows several months of coordination involving the assistants, the Cooperation and Cultural Action Service of the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, the French Institute of South Africa, France Éducation international, French education authorities and host schools.
The programme offers participants professional teaching experience and an opportunity to take part in daily life in France. At the same time, pupils benefit from regular contact with English speakers who bring knowledge and experiences from across Southern Africa into their classrooms.
Bon voyage to the 2026–2027 cohort!
Photo: Jérôme Cosnard (French Institute) with English language Assistants from Malawi: Ivy Mbewe, Tapiwanashe Saka, and Claudia Racheal Kalino
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