Mali Highlights the Value of African Language Study at BU
During a series of recent classroom visits across Boston University, Dr. Zoliswa O. Mali, Director of the African Language Program and Senior Lecturer at the Pardee School’s African Studies Center (ASC), shared information about Boston University’s expanding African Language Program, highlighting the unique academic and professional advantages students gain from studying an African language.
Mali’s presentations introduced students to the range of languages offered at BU, emphasized the global relevance of African language study, and previewed the languages available in Fall 2026 as well as select offerings available this spring. She underscored that learning an African language can equip students with specialized expertise that distinguishes them in fields such as international relations, global development, linguistics, and regional studies. In her own words, Mali noted how unique this opportunity is for BU students,
This is not common in many other institutions. BU has one of the most respected National Resource Centers in the USA, and has affected many students in various fields of study, graduate and undergraduate!
Students expressed strong interest; many asked how they could enroll in specific languages immediately or whether they could take a course Pass/Fail due to full schedules. Most, however, responded with enthusiasm and gratitude for learning about the program’s opportunities.
Mali shared that BU is one of the few universities in the country offering seven or more African languages, supported by one of the nation’s most respected Title VI National Resource Centers. She highlighted recent student successes, including a PhD candidate who studied advanced isiXhosa, conducted research in South Africa, defended his dissertation during the outreach week, and received a post‑doctoral fellowship at Uppsala University the same day—one of many examples of how African language study opens doors to global opportunities.
African language courses available to BU students can be viewed here.
Zoliswa Mali is the Director of the African Language Program and Senior Lecturer at the African Study Center (ASC). She earned her PhD in Second Language Acquisition with a focus on linguistics and technology at the University of Iowa, where she also completed an MA in Linguistics. She previously earned an MA (cum laude) in African Languages from the University of Stellenbosch and a BA with Honors from the University of Fort Hare, where she later taught isiXhosa linguistics and literature. She has taught isiXhosa and isiZulu in multiple national programs and intensive institutes. She is proficient in isiXhosa, isiZulu, English, Afrikaans, and several additional Southern African languages. To learn more about her work and accomplishments, visit her faculty profile.