Atalia Pozana
Casimiro Pedro Sitoe
Dorca Tamele
Gil Dimande
Nelton Nandza
Rosa Timóteo
Irene Macitela
Licenciatura em ensino de inglês
The Role of English in Other Courses in Mozambique
Universidade Pedagogica Maputo
Maputo, Maio de 2025
Atalia Pozana
Casimiro Pedro Sitoe
Dorca Tamele
Gil Dimande
Nelton Nandza
Rosa Timóteo
Irene Macitela
Licenciatura em ensino de inglês - 3o Ano, Pós – laboral
The Role of English in Other Courses in Mozambique
Trabalho de pesquisa Apresentado no
Departamento de ciências de linguagem,
Faculdade de Ciências, Linguagem,
Comunicação e Artes, Delegação de Maputo,
para efeitos de Avaliação.
Docente: Mestre Luisa Almeida
Universidade Pedagogica Maputo
Maputo, Maio de 2025
Table of contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
General Objectives...........................................................................................................................3
Specific Objectives..........................................................................................................................3
1. English as a Medium of Instruction in Higher Education...........................................................4
2. English in STEM and Professional Courses................................................................................4
3. Availability of Resources in English vs. Portuguese...................................................................5
4. Challenges of English Integration in Non-Language Courses....................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................7
Introduction
English has emerged as a dominant language in global academia, science, and technology. In
Mozambique, where Portuguese is the official language, English is increasingly recognized as a
critical tool for accessing advanced education and international opportunities. While English is
taught as a foreign language in schools, its influence extends beyond language classes, affecting
subjects such as medicine, engineering, business, and information technology. This paper
explores how English impacts non-language courses in Mozambique, examining its role as a
medium of instruction, a gateway to academic resources, and a determinant of academic and
professional success.
General Objectives
To analyze the role of English as a supplementary or primary medium of instruction in
Mozambican higher education.
To assess the advantages and disadvantages of using English in technical and scientific
disciplines.
To evaluate how English proficiency influences students' academic performance in non-
language courses.
Specific Objectives
To determine the extent of English usage in Mozambican universities, particularly in
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
To investigate the availability of learning materials (textbooks, research papers, online
resources) in English versus Portuguese.
To identify the challenges Mozambican students face when studying subjects taught or
supplemented in English.
To propose strategies for improving English integration in non-language courses without
marginalizing Portuguese.
The Role of English in Other Courses in Mozambique
1. English as a Medium of Instruction in Higher Education
In Mozambique, Portuguese is the primary language of instruction, but English is increasingly
used in higher education, particularly in private universities and specialized programs. Some
institutions offer courses in English to attract international students and align with global
academic standards.
"Many Mozambican universities are adopting English-medium instruction in postgraduate
programs, especially in fields like medicine and engineering, where most research is published in
English." (Nhate & Simbine, 2022)
However, this shift presents challenges, as many students and even some lecturers lack sufficient
English proficiency to engage effectively with the material.
2. English in STEM and Professional Courses
a) Medicine and Health Sciences
Medical students in Mozambique rely on English-language textbooks, research articles, and
international guidelines. Key resources like Gray’s Anatomy and The Lancet journals are
predominantly in English, making language proficiency crucial for academic success.
"Medical students who struggle with English often face difficulties in understanding complex
terminology, which can delay their learning and clinical training." (Mabunda, 2021)
b) Engineering and Technology
Engineering programs often reference international standards and technical manuals written in
English. Mozambican students who lack English skills may struggle with software
documentation, international certifications, and collaboration on global projects.
"In computer science and engineering, coding languages and technical manuals are mostly in
English, making fluency a necessity rather than an advantage." (Dgedge, 2020)
c) Business and Economics
Global business communication, financial reports, and case studies from institutions like Harvard
Business Review are primarily in English. Mozambican business students need English to
engage with international market trends and case studies.
3. Availability of Resources in English vs. Portuguese
While Portuguese remains the main academic language in Mozambique, many advanced and
specialized resources are not available in translation. This creates a dependency on English for
higher education and research.
"Over 80% of scientific journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science are published in
English, limiting access for students who are not proficient in the language." (Tivane, 2019)
4. Challenges of English Integration in Non-Language Courses
Limited Teacher Preparedness: Many lecturers are not trained to teach in English, leading to
code-switching (mixing Portuguese and English), which can confuse students.
Unequal Access to English Education: Urban students often have better access to English
training than rural students, creating disparities in academic performance.
Resistance to Language Shift: Some educators argue that prioritizing English could weaken
Portuguese, Mozambique’s official and unifying language.
5. Opportunities for Improvement
Bilingual Education Models: Introducing content and language integrated learning (CLIL) where
subjects are taught in both Portuguese and English.
Teacher Training Programs: Providing professional development for educators to improve their
English teaching skills.
Digital Learning Tools: Expanding access to online courses (MOOCs) and language-learning
apps to supplement classroom instruction.
Conclusion
English plays a crucial role in Mozambican higher education, particularly in STEM and
professional courses where most academic resources are in English. While Portuguese remains
the dominant language of instruction, the increasing importance of English cannot be ignored. To
ensure equitable access to education, Mozambique should adopt balanced language policies that
strengthen English proficiency without marginalizing Portuguese. Investments in teacher
training, bilingual education, and digital resources could bridge the gap and prepare students for
global academic and professional opportunities.
References
Dgedge, M. (2020). Language Barriers in Mozambican Engineering Education. Journal of
Technical Studies.
Mabunda, J. (2021). English Proficiency and Medical Training in Mozambique. African Health
Sciences.
Nhate, V., & Simbine, A. (2022). The Rise of English in Mozambican Universities. Maputo:
Higher Education Press.
Tivane, E. (2019). Access to Scientific Knowledge: The English Barrier in Mozambique.
International Journal of Educational Development.
