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Senegal: Language, Culture, and Society
This class on the francophone/multilingual West African country of Senegal, taught by Iwani, will take place at the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures (602 Toulouse St.) Mondays at 5:00PM, spanning from Monday January 26 until Monday May 4, with breaks for Mardi Gras and Easter.
This thematic French course offers an in-depth and engaging introduction to Senegal, a key country in West Africa and a central voice in the Francophone world. Through a cultural, historical, and linguistic lens, participants will explore Senegal as it was shaped over time, as it is lived today, and as it is expressed in French. The course is open to all levels of French (B1 to C2). Content, vocabulary, and oral interaction are adapted to each participant’s level, allowing beginners and advanced learners to benefit equally while sharing a common cultural framework.
The student will receive an accessible and dynamic approach around: authentic materials (maps, images, audio excerpts, testimonies), guided discussions and structured exchanges, a clear thematic progression throughout the semester. No specific background knowledge is required beyond a curiosity for Francophone cultures.
Topics covered during the semester
History of Senegal: from pre-colonial kingdoms to independence
Geography: regions, climate, the Senegal River, Dakar
Languages: French, Wolof, and other national languages
Culture and society: family structures, traditions, social values
Music and arts:mbalax and contemporary cultural figures
Gastronomy: iconic dishes and food culture
Economy and modern society
Senegal and the Francophone world: the role and varieties of French
Course objectives
By the end of the semester, participants will: expand their cultural and social vocabulary in French; improve listening comprehension through authentic content; gain greater confidence speaking French, regardless of level; develop a well-rounded and nuanced understanding of Senegal, beyond stereotypes.
This course is ideal for: students who want to practice French in a cultural context; learners interested in African and Francophone cultures; professionals and students seeking broader global perspectives; anyone wishing to combine language learning with cultural discovery.
This class on the francophone/multilingual West African country of Senegal, taught by Iwani, will take place at the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures (602 Toulouse St.) Mondays at 5:00PM, spanning from Monday January 26 until Monday May 4, with breaks for Mardi Gras and Easter.
This thematic French course offers an in-depth and engaging introduction to Senegal, a key country in West Africa and a central voice in the Francophone world. Through a cultural, historical, and linguistic lens, participants will explore Senegal as it was shaped over time, as it is lived today, and as it is expressed in French. The course is open to all levels of French (B1 to C2). Content, vocabulary, and oral interaction are adapted to each participant’s level, allowing beginners and advanced learners to benefit equally while sharing a common cultural framework.
The student will receive an accessible and dynamic approach around: authentic materials (maps, images, audio excerpts, testimonies), guided discussions and structured exchanges, a clear thematic progression throughout the semester. No specific background knowledge is required beyond a curiosity for Francophone cultures.
Topics covered during the semester
History of Senegal: from pre-colonial kingdoms to independence
Geography: regions, climate, the Senegal River, Dakar
Languages: French, Wolof, and other national languages
Culture and society: family structures, traditions, social values
Music and arts:mbalax and contemporary cultural figures
Gastronomy: iconic dishes and food culture
Economy and modern society
Senegal and the Francophone world: the role and varieties of French
Course objectives
By the end of the semester, participants will: expand their cultural and social vocabulary in French; improve listening comprehension through authentic content; gain greater confidence speaking French, regardless of level; develop a well-rounded and nuanced understanding of Senegal, beyond stereotypes.
This course is ideal for: students who want to practice French in a cultural context; learners interested in African and Francophone cultures; professionals and students seeking broader global perspectives; anyone wishing to combine language learning with cultural discovery.