Acquiring the Ability to Synthesize: The Case of Burundian Undergraduates Confronted with Literary Reading in French

This study examines the synthesis skills of undergraduate students at the University of Burundi with a particular focus on literary reading in French. It highlights the challenges students face, including mastering the French language and analyzing complex texts in French. Through an inter-university competition, we assessed their ability to summarize and orally present the synthesis of literary works read. It was found that, on the one hand, they had good writing skills and, on the other, they lacked argumentation and oral communication skills. The study thus highlights the need for an adapted and diversified pedagogical approach focused on developing cross-disciplinary skills and improving oral communication with a view to developing skills in synthesis and argumentation. It therefore activities such as debates and writing workshops to reinforce these skills for Burundian students.