Learn Wolof online

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Wolof is a Niger Congo language and the language of Senegal. It is your key to the famous Teranga, the Senegalese hospitality. Whether in Dakar, Gambia or Mauritania, with Wolof You're talking everywhere. In our course you learn grammar and practical conversation. Our native speakers not only show you the language, but also the culture, music and lifestyle of West Africa. Perfect for travel and cultural interest. Also discover Fulfulde, Mandinka or Yoruba.

Three levels, one goal: Wolof speak

Whether beginners or advanced. Find the online course at Sankofa Lingua Academy that suits you.
STARTE DEINE WEG IN Wolof

Volof for beginners (A1)

In only a few weeks you speak your first sentences on Wolof and surprises family and friends with a language that only a few Europeans do.


  • Self-confident introduce
  • Simple sentences form and understand
  • Basic word for everyday life
  • The special Wolof-Laute pronounce correctly


After this course: You conduct first talks on Wolof and master simple everyday situations


Discover Wolof on a new level

Wolof for explorers (A2)

You already understand the basics? It's gonna be exciting. Discover the culture behind the language and conduct conversations that go beyond Smalltalk.


  • Expenditure Talking
  • Read texts and understand
  • Cultural background and get to know proverbs
  • Vocabulary to expand

After this course: You are more fluent and understand cultural relationships.
Speak Wolof with clarity and depth

Volof for Champion (B1)


Time for the next step. Master the grammar and communicate at a level that impresses native speakers.

  • More complex set structures dominance
  • Own Texts and news write
  • Read more demanding texts and understand
  • Talks diverse topics sovereign guide

After this course: You read, write and speak Wolof with self-confidence.

Find your appropriate experience

Discover the perfect online language course at Sankofa Lingua Academy that is tailored to your level of experience:

Volof for beginners (A1)

  • Skills for daily conversation building
  • Imagine self-confident before
  • Simple sentences form

Wolof for explorers (A2)

  • Improvement of the Reading
  • In-depth discussions lead
  • Cultural Researching aspects

Volof for Champion (B1)

  • Depression of the Text understanding
  • Enhance Your writing skills
  • Basic grammar dominance
 You can change the level of experience within the first two lessons if you find it too hard or too easy.

Facts about Wolof

African countries
Dialects
Languages in Senegal 
Languages in Gambia 

Wolof courses

Wolof Grundwortschatz

Master the Wolof vocabulary in minutes! Practical phrases for real conversations: greetings, small talk, formal and easy. With free Wolof exercises and practical phrases you are perfectly prepared for your trip to Senegal, Gambia & Mauritania.
3 editions: New Year, Summer, Winter
Each edition lasts 10 weeks (about 20 hours)
On average 2-hour sessions per week
Our language courses are designed as group courses.
 For smaller groups, the duration of instruction is adjusted. Don't worry: the teaching quality remains the same.

Number Duration of teaching
1 – 2 participants 60 min
3 – 4 participants 90 min
5 – 10 participants 120 min
10+ participants 120 min + Breakout Groups

New Year Edition (NYE) 2026

16. February 2026
to
3. May 2026

Summer Edition (SE) 2026

01. June 2026
to
02. August 2026

Winter Edition (WE) 2026

14. September 2026
to
29. November 2026

Languages in Senegal: Wolof

Wolof is the voice of Senegal. Although French is official language, about 90 percent of the population of Wolof speaks, a total of about 18 million people. Also in Gambia and Mauritania is Wolof widespread, with each country developing its own standard.

Wolof is one of the largest language families in the world. Unlike many African languages, Wolof is not a sound language. The importance of a word therefore does not depend on the pitch, which makes it much easier for European learners to enter.

No sound system: Why Wolof is accessible to Europeans

Anyone who has tried to learn an African tone language knows the problem: a word can mean different things depending on the pitch. At Wolof, this hurdle falls completely away. Wolof is not a sound languageWhat makes it more accessible to European ears than Hausa, Twi or Igbo.

Instead, Wolof uses a system of Vocal harmony. The principle is simple: When speaking, the tongue root is either further forward or further backward in the mouth.
We also know that from the Germans, for example, the difference between 'i' in 'Miete' and 'i' in 'Mitte'. At "Miete" the tongue is further forward, at "Mitte" further backwards. In German this happens unconsciously, in the Wolof it is a fixed rule.

The eight Volof-Vocals are divided accordingly two groups on:
Group Vocals Tongue position
+ATR i, u, é, ó, ë Tongue root forward
-ATR e, o, a Rear tongue root
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ATR stands for “Advanced Tongue Root", so pre-shifted tongue root. With +ATR vocals, the tongue root moves forward, creating a brighter, more open sound. At -ATR-Vokalen, it stays farther behind, the sound is a bit dull.

Within a word must: all vowels come from the same groupSo they must harmonize. This happens automatically. When a suffix is attached, it adapts to the vowel group of the word master. The result is a uniform, flowing sound that the ear quickly recognizes as coherent.

Wolof knows three alphabets: Latin, Arabic and Garay

Wolof was a purely oral language for a long time. Today, three active writing systems exist side by side, each with its own history and cultural significance.

Wolofal – the oldest font

With Islamization of West Africa from 10. century came arabic font to the region. Wolofal, whether or not Ajami developed between 11 and 16. In the 19th century, it experienced a rise through the Sufi forces, especially the Muridiyya. Islamic scholars used them for religious poetry, letters and spiritual texts. Since the Arabic only knows three vowels, but Wolof nine, six additional diacritical characters had to be created to depict all sounds. Today, Wolofal is mainly used by elders and religious scholars for Islamic texts and historical documentation.

The Latin alphabet – the official standard

With the French colonial rule came the Latin alphabet. In 1975, the Senegalese Government declared it official for Wolof. It is the most widely used font system and is used today for education, media and administration. For learners it is the most practical entry.

Garay – a symbol of cultural independence

1961 invented the Senegalese artist Assane Faye an indigenous alphabetical script for Wolof. Inspired by post-colonial eruption, he wanted to create a system that reflects African peculiarities without resorting to foreign alphabets. Garay becomes as Arabic written from right to left, but differs as the Latin between large and small letters.
Faye taught the Scriptures for decades and after his death in 2021, his son Souleiman continued his work on online courses. 2024 was Garay recorded in the Unicode standard. In everyday life, Scripture remains rare, but it is a symbol of linguistic self-determination.
Terranga is the Wolof word for hospitality and is regarded as the central value of the Senegalese culture. This principle is best shown when eating.
The National Court Thieboudienne, on Wolof Ceebu Jën, literally means 'fish rice' (ceeb = rice, jën = fish). Traditionally it is eaten together from a single large bowl, a symbol of community and generosity to guests.

Who are the Griots and why are they so important?

In Europe, archives and libraries preserve history. In the Senegalese culture, this task takes over people: the Griots, called Wolof géwël.
You are Singer, storyteller and historian in a person. Their knowledge of family trees, historical events and cultural traditions is passed on orally from generation to generation.

Traditionally, Griots held a monopoly on public performances and enjoyed a special position in society. They were immune to most social sanctionswhat allowed them to speak freely about social issues, to exercise criticism and to express truths that remained denied to others.

But their traditional role is under pressure. Modern education, economic changes and new media question the old system. At the same time, some Griots find new ways: they emerge internationally, work with modern musicians and reach a global audience through social media. Tradition is changing, but it continues.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wolof Course

Atlantic Congo
  • Cangin
  • Gola
  • Limba
  • Mansoanka
  • Melt


  • North Central Atlantic
  • Central Atlantic
  • Fula sera
  • Jaad
  • Nalu
  • Tenda


  • Wolof-BKK
  • Nyun


  • Wolfish
  • Gambic Wolof
  • Lebu-Wolof


  • Wolof

  • Central Volof
  • Baol Wolof
  • Cayor
  • Jander
  • Northern Wolof
  • Dyolof
  • Waalo
  • Saloum

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