Kirundi for humanitarian workers and NGOs active in Burundi
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Kirundi for the Burundian diaspora in Belgium and France
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about learning Kirundi
Yes, Kirundi and Kinyarwanda are mutually intelligible at around 85-90%. Phonological and lexical differences exist but do not block communication. A Kinyarwanda speaker understands Kirundi with little effort, and vice versa. Linguists often regard the two languages as variants of a single linguistic continuum. Learning one gives you access to the other, you double your opportunities with a single learning effort.
The Burundian community in France is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 people, mainly in the Île-de-France region and in Normandy. In Belgium (the former colonial power), the diaspora is larger, 30,000 to 50,000 people, especially in Brussels. For social workers, asylum lawyers and health professionals in contact with this community, Kirundi is a valuable asset that greatly facilitates trust-based relationships.
Kirundi is also spoken in the Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where many humanitarian NGOs operate. Médecins Sans Frontières, the ICRC and the WFP maintain permanent operations in the Great Lakes region. For aid workers, Kirundi is often more useful than Kiswahili in these specific areas. Speaking Kirundi transforms the quality of exchanges with local communities.
Absolutely. In Burundian culture, drum music was a form of codified communication, certain rhythms carried specific meanings. The Kirundi language and the ingoma tradition are inseparable within Burundian cultural identity. Understanding Kirundi unlocks the meaning of the chants that accompany these drums, a profound cultural experience impossible to reach through translation alone.
Comparable to Kinyarwanda in difficulty, 8 to 12 months with regular lessons to reach B1. If you already have a foundation in Kinyarwanda, 3 to 4 months are enough for Kirundi. Latin alphabet, phonetic pronunciation, and grammar built on Bantu noun classes. The essential greetings and polite formulas, indispensable for a quality first contact, can be learned in a few weeks.
One plan, Full access, gives you every language, live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons and the community: $8.50 instead of $17 a week, $24.50 instead of $49 a month or $49.50 instead of $99 a quarter, after a 7-day free trial. The Platform plan, without live classes, costs $9.50 instead of $19 a month. Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time), with a limited number of spots: you keep the reduced price for as long as you stay subscribed.
100% online. When live classes are scheduled for this language, they take place in small groups via Google Meet; the schedule is in the platform. Interactive lessons stay accessible 24/7.
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Pricing
Start learning Kirundi today
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for 7 days, then $8.50 per week instead of $17
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.
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No commitment
−50%
Full access
Monthly
The easiest rhythm to keep up
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.
Most popular
−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.
You choose your plan and register a payment method. Nothing is charged today: $0.
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You cancel in 1 click from "My subscription", at any time before the trial ends: no charge. Otherwise, your plan starts at the end of the 7 days, at the price shown.
One trial per account. If you have already had a trial, your subscription starts on the day you order.
