KUWAIT: Ambassador of France to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin reaffirmed his commitment to expanding French-language learning among young Kuwaitis, emphasizing the role of education in deepening ties between France and Kuwait.
Speaking at the seventh edition of the International Day of French Teachers held on Wednesday at Résidence de France, he said young Kuwaiti alumni who study in France “will be the best ambassadors of the relationship between our two countries, building bridges between future generations.” Gauvin noted a steady rise in interest across generations, with more than 50,000 students learning French in Kuwait and nearly 24,000 choosing it as a subject for their baccalaureate. Kuwait University alone now hosts more than 300 students in its French Department.
This growing interest is also reflected in Kuwait’s education system, where staffing needs vary between male and female French teachers. Anwaar Al-Radawan, General Inspector for French at the Ministry of Education, explained that while French-language education continues to expand, there is a clear shortage of male teachers. Female teachers, by contrast, are available in high numbers across public schools.
Anwaar Al-Radawan
New curricula gains
She added that while overall student interest is improving, it remains lower than expected, something she considers normal at this stage. Al-Radawan pointed to the ongoing curriculum development as a promising factor in raising proficiency and engagement.
This year, for grades 11 and 12, the curriculum has been updated to align with international standards and now reflects the A1 beginner-level framework used globally. The ministry has also redesigned the free elective course, only available to students in the arts stream, replacing the previous textbook with a Tourism and Travel curriculum. The new theme has made the subject more practical and appealing. “Students began enjoying the subject and speaking more,” she told Kuwait Times. “The goal is not to overwhelm them with verb conjugations, but to teach them how to navigate real situations in French.”
French is now compulsory for literature-track students in grades 11 and 12, though Al-Radawan believes the language may gradually be introduced earlier. With ongoing curriculum reforms, she expects students’ readiness to improve significantly. “In the future, introducing French at earlier stages will not be an issue,” she said, noting that the impact of the reforms will become clear within four to five years.
Career pathways
For the French ambassador, the importance of the language extends beyond culture and into professional fields increasingly pursued by young Kuwaitis, including maritime studies, law, the humanities and international relations. Many students already continue their higher education in France, a trend both governments hope to strengthen.
This year’s celebration also honored the 1,400 French teachers working across Kuwait’s schools and universities. Their efforts, Gauvin said, “go far beyond linguistic learning.” Through their dedication, they offer students a window into global culture and values such as inclusion, dialogue and diversity, helping to expand the influence of the French language far beyond France’s borders.
