1. Introduction

The story of the Department of French of HrU starts in 2005, when the first agreement between HrU and the Embassy of France was signed. A French language teacher was sent by the Embassy of France and French language courses started being taught as elective courses to English language students and to students from the College of Law. During the following year, the status of the course changed for English language students who became able to choose French language as a minor area of studies. Soon, the Department of Afaan Oromo joined the program. During four years, this program was very satisfying. Students were eager to learn a new foreign language, and the small class sized allowed them to easily practice their language skills. Upon graduation, all the students who had been following French classes in HU had reached a good beginners level, and all of them successfully passed the first level of the International French Language Diploma (DELF A1), awarded by the French Ministry of Education.

In 2009, considering the success of this program, it has been decided to extend the language training offer. A School of Foreign Language Studies was created, and a French unit was set up. The first batch of students entered the program, and French language started being taught as a major area of study. The French unit has been working very hard since then to improve the quality of the courses and to offer to the students an environment that stimulates their learning process. In 2013, the first batch of students graduated in French from HU.

Nevertheless, just before their graduation, it was noted that when opening the French Unit, in 2009, the proper procedure had not been followed. No need assessment had been done, and the curriculum had yet to be approved by the Senate of the University. To allow the first batch of students to graduate, the curriculum was approved by the Senate in May 2013, but the task was given to the French Unit to conduct a proper needs assessment, on which results the continuity of the program was going to be based.

In the end of June and beginning of July, a survey was thus conducted by the members of the French Unit to determine the needs for qualified French speaking Ethiopians on the Ethiopian work market. The current four year degree program in French Language Studies and Professional Skills includes courses such as teaching methods, tourism, translation and English language. This need assessment aims to help us to assess the current needs of French speakers on the Ethiopian job market and to redefine the objectives and priorities of our program.

2. Admission Requirement

To major in French Language and Professional Skills, the students must have:

  1. As per the university admission requirements successful completion of Preparatory
  2. Program (10+2);
  3. High interest in the field;
  4. Students who have no prior knowledge of French can be admitted into the first year;
  5. Students who have prior knowledge in French Language and succeed in passing the DELF B2 can be admitted into the second year provided that they fulfil the University’s admission requirements;
  6. Former students of the Lycée Guebre Mariam who passed Baccalauréat Examination could be admitted into the second year of the BA Program in French Language and Professional Skills.
  7. Consequently, these students who are allowed to be admitted in the second year of the Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Professional Skills will be exempted from the following courses: FlFr1011, FlFr1012 FlFr1021, FlFr1022

3. Graduation Requirements

To graduate, the students must have:

  1. A minimum of 240 ECTS in Major, supportive and common courses
  2. Cumulative CGPA of 2.00 and above
  3. No “F” is allowed in any required course.

At the end of their studies, students will have the necessary competencies to sit for the international French language examination DELF B2.

4. Degree Nomenclature

Upon a successful completion of the four‐year program, students will be awarded the BA degree. ‘Bachelor of Arts Degree in French Language and Professional Skills’ (In French: Licence en Langue française et savoir‐faire professionnel en français)