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IN BRIEF
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In Phnom Penh, a Cambodian teacher, Ninit, single-handedly illustrates how the French can transform into door of hope Having been captivated by a bilingual class during his high school years, he made the language his vocation and enthusiastically shares it with his students. For him, the French is not just a professional tool but a treasure which opens doors to the world and to higher education, even if the language is declining among young people in favor of English and Khmer. Optimistic, he is counting on investments in education, sustainable development, and digital technology so that the Francophonie retains all its vibrancy Cambodia.
In a few lines, discover the journey of NET Ninit, teacher of French In Phnom Penh: from his years in bilingual classes to his involvement at the Cambodian Institute of Technology, including his work with the ministry and NGOs. His story illustrates how the French language remains a cultural treasure and a vector of openness for the Cambodia, despite the challenges posed by the rise of English and the changing aspirations of young people.
A path built around French
Born in the province of BattambangNET Ninit moved to Phnom Penh for his higher education, where he obtained a degree in French literature from the Royal University. It was as a high school student in a bilingual class that he confides he “fell in love with French.” This passion has never left him: he became a newsreader for the Ministry of Information, an interpreter for the NGO Solidarity Brittany Cambodia, and regular host of the festival of the Francophonie organized by the Ministry of Education.
Since 2018, he has been teaching French at the Cambodian Institute of Technology, where he transmits not only grammatical rules, but also the cultural curiosity that captivated him in his youth. His loyalty to the language led him, in 2024, to represent Cambodia at the 19th Francophonie Summit — a powerful symbol of his commitment.
A passion turned mission
Ninit doesn’t see the French He sees it solely as a professional tool; for him, it’s both a pleasure and a mission. He speaks of it as a “treasure” he wishes to pass on to his students, convinced that mastering French opens doors to international studies and partnerships. He encourages his students to persevere despite the difficulties, particularly with grammar, and to view the language as a distinctive advantage.
This perspective aligns with broader analyses of the role of language in the region: learning French can offer concrete opportunities, such as those mentioned for French people in Vietnam or for travelers curious about Asia. To learn more about these regional dynamics, you can read articles that discuss opportunities in Vietnam and the evolving landscape of Asian destinations. Vietnam, a land of opportunity And The renaissance of Asian destinations.
French language and the challenges faced by Cambodian youth
Despite her optimism, Ninit observes a decline in French Among young Cambodians: “It’s mainly the older people who still speak it fluently.” English is gaining ground and the Khmer remains naturally dominant. He notes that his students sometimes struggle with grammar and vocabulary, but he insists that perseverance pays off.
Faced with these realities, he advises young people to consider French as a strategic asset — a way to stand out and access French-language programs offered in several universities. Phnom PenhAnd for those travelling in Asia, he doesn’t hesitate to remind them of the need to be informed and cautious: stories of tourist scams, like that of two French victims in Thailand, show that preparation is essential (read the testimony).
A role for the Francophonie in the future
To ensure the language retains its vitality in Cambodia, Ninit calls for Francophonie to invest in future-oriented sectors: education, sustainable development And digital technologiesAccording to him, if Francophone institutions support innovation and modern projects, the language will remain alive and relevant.
He clarifies that the Francophonie is not just a linguistic issue: it is a space of cultural sharing and of dialogue, which promotes values such as solidarity and respect for cultures. This collective vision can serve as a lever for collaborations between countries, universities and businesses.
Cambodia and the Francophonie today
Cambodia is often presented as a country with a Francophone heritage, but the reality is more nuanced. This year, the country is hosting the 26th Francophonie Summit, an event that highlights debates about the role of French and its future in the country. Ninit believes that the historical relationship with France still encourages learning the language, but that efforts must be made to modernize teaching methods.
Local initiatives abound: festivals, university courses in French, and cooperation projects. At Le Petit Journal, we met with Cambodians who keep the French language alive on a daily basis—teachers, scientists, artists, public officials—and their stories confirm the richness of these commitments. To delve deeper into the cultural context and current challenges, see this article exploring the legacy of French in Cambodia: French in Cambodia: a cultural heritage facing today’s challenges.
Opportunities and paths to explore
Finally, learning French can open up concrete opportunities in the region: student mobility, diplomatic careers, or economic collaborations. Temporary travel agreements, such as the possibility for French citizens to travel to Vietnam without a visa for a given period, facilitate these exchanges and strengthen regional ties (more information on mobility).
For French speakers or Francophiles wishing to travel or work in Asia, there are attractive prospects but also precautions to take and choices to make among destinations: some favor Vietnam for its opportunities, others Korea, Japan, or Thailand for tourism or professional reasons. Guides and articles address these choices and the realities on the ground (learn more).
Frequently Asked Questions: Testimony of a Cambodian teacher on the place of French
Q: Who is NET Ninit and what is her background with the French language?
A: NET Ninit is a professor of French at theCambodia Institute of Technology since 2018. Originally from Battambanghe continued his higher education at Phnom Penh where he obtained a degree in French literature at theRoyal University of Phnom Penh.
Q: How did his passion for French begin?
A: It all started in high school, in a bilingual class: from the very first year, he fell under the spell of the language, its culture, and its world. His teachers and his own curiosity drove him to deepen his knowledge of the France and of the Francophonie.
Q: What professional experiences have marked his career path?
A: Alongside her studies, Ninit worked as a reader for the Ministry of Information and as an interpreter for the NGO Solidarity Brittany Cambodia and host of the festivities of the FrancophonieSince 2017 he has regularly participated in these events and in 2024 he represented the Cambodia At 19th Francophonie Summit.
Q: For him, is French merely a professional tool?
A: No: Ninit describes the French as a passion and a treasure to pass on. He sees in this language a way to open doors, to travel intellectually and to access educational and cultural opportunities.
Q: What is the link between Cambodia and the Francophonie according to Ninit?
A: He recalls the existence of a historical link between the Cambodia and the Francophonie and believes that this history should encourage more students to learn the French, especially since several universities of Phnom Penh offer French-language courses.
Q: Does he observe any changes in the use of French in Cambodia?
A: Yes, he notes a decline in French Among young people: it is mainly the older generations who still master it perfectly.English is gaining ground and the Khmer remains the majority language.
Q: What are the main obstacles faced by his students?
A: Many struggle with the grammar and lack fluency in speaking. Despite this, Ninit encourages them to persevere: according to him, speaking French represents a real advantage and can open up unique opportunities.
Q: Does French have a future in Cambodia, according to him?
A: He remains optimistic provided that the Francophonie invest in future-oriented sectors such aseducation, THE sustainable development and the digital technologiesAccording to him, support for innovation is the key to maintaining the vitality of the language.
Q: How does he define Francophonie beyond language?
A: For Ninit, the Francophonie It goes beyond the linguistic framework: it is a space for cultural sharing, for dialogue between peoples, founded on values such as solidarity and respect for cultures.
Q: Why is the testimony of these Francophone actors important today?
A: They show that the Francophonie at Cambodia is driven by diverse individual stories — teachers, scientists, artists, leaders — and these concrete commitments give substance to a living community, despite contemporary linguistic challenges.