Mbalax and Senegalese music: Youssou N'Dour, Cheikh Lô
04
Teranga: the culture of Senegalese hospitality
05
Wolof for the diaspora in France: Paris, Lyon, Marseille
06
Commerce and daily life in Dakar
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about learning Wolof
Wolof is a Niger-Congo language, quite different from French, but it uses the Latin alphabet and is highly phonetic. The grammar is logical and consistent, even though it works very differently from Indo-European languages, no masculine/feminine gender, but noun classes instead. The vocabulary includes many French loanwords ('ordinateur' = 'ordinateer', 'voiture' = 'watiir'). With regular practice, basic communication is achievable in 4 to 6 months.
French is the official language, but Wolof is the language of the heart and the street. In Dakar's markets, family gatherings, wrestling matches, transport, and pop culture, Wolof dominates. Speaking Wolof with a Senegalese person shows deep respect for their culture and creates a human connection that French simply cannot match at the same level.
The Senegalese community in France is estimated at 120,000 to 150,000 people, with major concentrations in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux. Senegalese associations, restaurants, grocery stores, and cultural events use Wolof as their main language. For social workers, healthcare professionals, and educators in contact with this community, a few months of Wolof dramatically improves the quality of interactions.
Yes, it's one of the best ways in. Youssou N'Dour (Polar Music Prize laureate), Cheikh Lô, Baaba Maal, and contemporary artists like Wally Seck or Viviane Chidid sing mainly in Wolof. Mbalax, the Senegalese rhythm, has an energy that anchors vocabulary in memory. Our teachers can build lessons around your favorite artists.
For a French speaker, 8 to 12 months with regular lessons is enough to reach B1. The Latin alphabet makes reading easy from day one. The main challenges: noun classes replacing grammatical gender, an aspect-based verbal system different from French, and vocabulary with no common roots with European languages. But the Wolof-speaking community is incredibly encouraging, every effort is met with warmth.
One plan, the Complete plan, gives you every language, live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons and the community: $8.50 instead of $17 a week, $24.50 instead of $49 a month or $49.50 instead of $99 a quarter, after a 7-day free trial. The Platform plan, without live classes, costs $9.50 instead of $19 a month. Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time), with a limited number of spots: you keep the reduced price for as long as you stay subscribed.
100% online. When live classes are scheduled for this language, they take place in small groups via Google Meet; the schedule is in the platform. Interactive lessons stay accessible 24/7.
Yes. You try Targumi free for 7 days: a payment method is required, nothing is charged on the day you order, and you can cancel online before the trial ends, at no cost. One trial per account.
You can cancel anytime from your profile ("My subscription" section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.
“Learning Wolof to read my favorite poet in the original. Targumi takes me there step by step.”
Maxime BrownVerified purchase
AC
“On the eve of my 60th birthday, I chose Wolof as a personal challenge. Best decision of this period.”
Anna CisseVerified purchase
AM
“Great Wolof classes. More time slots would be appreciated.”
Alexandre MorelVerified purchase
KC
“Wolof sharpened my musical ear. I distinguish tones and rhythms I didn't perceive before.”
Keita ChoiVerified purchase
TF
“After 6 weeks of Wolof, I read poems in the original and feel the rhythm. Targumi kept its promise.”
Theo FournierVerified purchase
GP
“After 8 months of Wolof, I participate in online discussion groups. I didn't think it would be possible this fast.”
Giovanni PatelVerified purchase
CG
“Annual Wolof subscription = 2 coffees a week. For live classes with a native, it's a steal.”
Catherine GirardVerified purchase
CM
“The day I negotiated a price in Wolof at the market, I couldn't sleep, I was so proud.”
Cheikh MbayeVerified purchase
Pricing
Start learning Wolof today
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To test the rhythm over a few weeks
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for 7 days, then $8.50 per week instead of $17
Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time) · Limited number of spots
Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
Every language included: over 100 languages, and you switch language whenever you like, at no extra cost.
Payment method required, $0 today. Cancel in 1 click before the trial ends.
No commitment
−50%
Complete plan
Monthly
The easiest rhythm to keep up
7 days free, then $24.50 per month instead of $49
$0
for 7 days, then $24.50 per month instead of $49
Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time) · Limited number of spots
Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
Every language included: over 100 languages, and you switch language whenever you like, at no extra cost.
Payment method required, $0 today. Cancel in 1 click before the trial ends.
Most popular
−50%
Complete plan
Quarterly
Three months to build solid foundations
7 days free, then $49.50 per quarter instead of $99
$0
for 7 days, then $49.50 per quarter instead of $99
that is $16.50 per month
Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time) · Limited number of spots
Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
Every language included: over 100 languages, and you switch language whenever you like, at no extra cost.
Payment method required, $0 today. Cancel in 1 click before the trial ends.
You choose your plan and register a payment method. Nothing is charged today: $0.
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You cancel in 1 click from "My subscription", at any time before the trial ends: no charge. Otherwise, your plan starts at the end of the 7 days, at the price shown.
One trial per account. If you have already had a trial, your subscription starts on the day you order.
