The Department of Foreign Languages of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) offers a wide range of programmes on foreign languages and linguistics, both in Diploma and Degree levels.

This Department teaches seven foreign languages at Diploma level in the Diploma of Languages with Education, these include English, French, German, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese; and this makes SUZA through its Department of Foreign Languages be the leading academic institution in East
Africa in providing many foreign languages.

Apart from English language which is compulsory for all Diploma in Languages with Education students, each student is required to choose another foreign language. In other words, in this Diploma programme, student will specialize in two foreign languages: English which is compulsory for all students and any other foreign language of student’s choice among those indicated above. At undergraduate level, the Department has the Bachelor of Art with Education programme where currently only two foreign languages are offered, namely, English and Arabic.

Together with these two programes, the Department of Foreign Languages teaches Communication Skills courses to all students of all other programmes taught at SUZA. It also teaches French, German, Spanish and Chinese to students of the Institute of Tourism of SUZA who pursue the programmes of Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management; Diploma in Heritage Management and Tourism; and Bachelor of Art in Tourism Management and Marketing.