The wolof class in Dakar is an introduction to the language you hear most on the street, paired with an approach to African oral tradition, that is, the spoken word that passes things on. Sessions of 30 minutes or 1 hour, in a small group of at least 2 people, with a local host.

Two formats, a small group

Two sessions are offered: a 30-minute session, for a first contact, and a 1-hour session, to go further. They are led in a small group by a local host, with a minimum of 2 people. The session takes place indoors, in Dakar.

Wolof is one of the most widely spoken languages in Senegal, and the one you commonly hear on the streets of Dakar. African oral tradition means transmission through speech: tales, proverbs, songs, stories. An introduction of this kind lets you hear the language as much as it teaches it.

What to expect

In an introduction of this length, you do not master a language: you leave with a few phrases, greetings, a better-trained ear and the pleasure of having tried. The 30-minute session suits as a complement to another activity, the 1-hour one those who want more practice. Bring something to take notes, and be ready to repeat aloud: a spoken language is learned first with the ear.

If you live in Dakar and do not speak wolof, it is a way to understand daily life better and to fit in. If you are visiting, it is a useful starter: a few words of wolof change how you are welcomed at the market or in someone’s home.

Learning in Dakar

The class takes place in Dakar, a city where wolof is the language of daily life, from markets to transport. To hear the language in context, the Plateau and Médina neighbourhoods are easy listening grounds.

Extending the discovery

To go further into the culture, singing and music classes, percussion workshops or African dance classes let you hear and feel the country differently. Guided cultural tours put the words in context.