wolof language

intensive course, lower intermediate level 
Saint-Louis, Senegal

16-27 December 2013

 

 

This course is organised by the Waaw centre, an artists' residence and a centre for art and design in the old town of Saint-Louis.

 

What will you learn?

You will learn Wolof with the aim of making yourself understood in everyday situations. The emphasis is on communication. No matter if you want to learn the language just for fun or for professional reasons: after the course, you will better understand the people and culture in Senegal and West Africa in general. You will deepen your knowledge of Wolof grammar, giving you a base for further study or even language research on your own.

 

Programme

The course will start on Monday 16 December and end on Friday 27 December 2013. Classes (30 hrs in total) will be held 9:00-10:30 and 11:00-12:30 apart from Sunday 22 December and Christmas Day 25 December. In the afternoons and evenings, there will be an optional programme (20-30 hrs) of extra conversation or activities and lectures related to Senegalese culture (in English, French or Wolof): including cooking, music, religious traditions, literature or architecture. There will be screenings of films in wolof with English or French subtitles. On the weekend, we will make excursions to the fishermen's quarter Guet Ndar and to Djoudj National Park, known for its rich bird life.

 

Your teacher is Professor Pap Abdoulaye Dial, who has a long experience in teaching Wolof to foreign students and professionals, at Université Gaston Berger and L'Institut Français in Saint-Louis. He has also published teaching materials and a Wolof-French/English dictionary. Course hosts and invited experts will be responsible for extra conversation and extra-curricular activities. In order to ensure an optimal learning experience, we are accepting maximum 10 people onto the course.

 

Who can take part?

The course is intended for anyone interested over the age of 20, irrespective of professional or academic background, who already has some basic knowledge of Wolof, either by attending a course or through self-study. A basic knowledge of French is also required, as Professor Dial will use both Wolof and French as language of instruction. The course material is also available in English.

Courses at intermediate and advanced level can also be tailored to suit your needs and interests, all year round - get in touch with us.

Course material

The course material is included in the course fee and will be distributed to participants at the beginning of the course: a text book, a grammar book, a short dictionary as well as photocopies.

 

 

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the course fee. We suggest the following places on Saint-Louis island.


Au fil du fleuve
(designer B&B) http://www.fildufleuve.com/
Maison Jamm (B&B in beautifully renovated building just around the corner) http://www.jamm-saintlouis.com/index.php/fr/
Hotel Siki (designer hotel, just around the corner) http://www.hotelsenegal.net/siki/

Sunu Keur (lovely decor) http://www.sunu-keur.com/
La Louisiane (charming river view location) http://www.aubergelouisiane.com/
Hotel Harmattan (very central) http://www.hotelharmattan.com/ 
Auberge de la Vallée (very central, cheap) http://www.au-senegal.com/auberge-de-la-vallee-saint-louis-du-senegal,2676.html?lang=fr

L'Atlantide (youth hostel, cheap) http://www.aubergedelajeunesse.com/index.htm


You can either reserve a room yourself (from 15 december for 13 nights) or leave it to us to do it for you.

Simple mattress-on-the floor accommodation can also be arranged for approx. €100/2 weeks/shared room (booked through us).

For meals, there are several restaurants nearby, where you can have a good meal at prices starting at 1,500 fcfa (€2.30)

 

How to get to Saint-Louis

Transfer by car from Dakar to Saint-Louis will be arranged on Sunday 15 December and back to Dakar on Saturday afternoon 28 December. For those arriving in Senegal just before the start of the course, we will arrange accommodation in Dakar the night between 14 and 15 December, including airport pick-up. We will get back to those registered with more information regarding travel arrangements.

Course fees


Course price:
€220 (145,000 fcfa, £188, $286)

The course price includes tuition, all course materials, activities in the evenings and on the weekend. The price does not include accommodation in Saint-Louis, meals, air fare or any transport outside the planned programme. No reduction is given for late arrival or early departure.

Transfer package: €70/80
(45,000/52,000 fcfa)

Airport pick-up and double/single room accommodation in Dakar on 14 December and transfer by car from and to Dakar.

If you take part in both the beginners' and the intermediate course, you need only one transfer package, and you get a €40 reduction on the overall price.

Registration and further information

Please fill out the registration form and email it to the course administrator Mr Staffan Martikainen at info (at) waawsenegal.org. Please register early, or by 1 September at the latest. If you have any queries, you can contact us at the same address.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why learn Wolof in Saint-Louis?

As this is an intensive course, you can make the most of your time and money. We offer a package which includes on-site accommodation. In picturesque and peaceful Saint-Louis, everything is close at hand - in contrast to the bustle and traffic jams of Dakar. On the other hand, there are enough things going on in town to keep you busy. The Waaw centre is right in the middle of the Saint-Louis island, with shops and restaurants just around the corner.

 

The Waaw centre

Waaw is an independent Finnish-Senegalese  artists' residence and centre for art and design, which started its activities in 2012.

More information here.