Kinyarwanda for professionals and NGOs active in Rwanda
06
Links between Kinyarwanda, Kirundi and Lingala (Bantu language family)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about learning Kinyarwanda
Kinyarwanda, like all Bantu languages, uses a noun class system, but rather than two genders (masculine/feminine) as in French, it has 8 classes that group nouns by category (people, animals, objects, abstractions, and so on). Each class has its own prefix and agreement rules. It is more complex in theory but highly logical in practice: you can often predict a word's class from its meaning. Our teachers introduce the classes progressively through everyday vocabulary.
Rwanda is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, with annual growth of 8 to 10%. Kigali attracts heavy investment in tech, fintech, tourism and services. Rwanda hosts numerous international organisation headquarters (UNECA, among others) and regularly holds global conferences. Speaking Kinyarwanda in Rwanda is seen as an extraordinary sign of respect, very few expatriates attempt it, which makes the effort all the more memorable.
Effectively yes, Kinyarwanda (Rwanda) and Kirundi (Burundi) are mutually intelligible to about 90% and are often considered two variants of a single language, sometimes called Rwanda-Rundi. The differences are comparable to those between Castilian Spanish and Portuguese, recognisable but understandable. Learning one gives you access to the other with very little additional effort.
The Rwandan diaspora in France is estimated at 15,000 to 25,000 people, an active, generally well-integrated community, with cultural associations and Franco-Rwandan businesses. For social workers, doctors, lawyers and asylum professionals working with this community, a few basics of Kinyarwanda make interactions significantly easier. Franco-Rwandan ties are historically complex, but the official reconciliation of 2024 opens a new era.
With its noun class grammar, Kinyarwanda is classified as moderately difficult. For an English speaker, expect 8 to 12 months with regular lessons to reach a conversational B1 level. The advantage: it is written in the Latin alphabet, the spelling is phonetic, and the online learner community is growing rapidly. Travellers preparing for a mission in Rwanda can learn the basic formulas in 6 to 8 weeks.
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Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
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No commitment
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7 days free, then $24.50 per month instead of $49
$0
for 7 days, then $24.50 per month instead of $49
Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time) · Limited number of spots
Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
Every language included: over 100 languages, and you switch language whenever you like, at no extra cost.
Payment method required, $0 today. Cancel in 1 click before the trial ends.
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−50%
Full access
Quarterly
Three months to build solid foundations
7 days free, then $49.50 per quarter instead of $99
$0
for 7 days, then $49.50 per quarter instead of $99
that is $16.50 per month
Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time) · Limited number of spots
Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
Every language included: over 100 languages, and you switch language whenever you like, at no extra cost.
Payment method required, $0 today. Cancel in 1 click before the trial ends.
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