French classes in Bamako for expats and international teams
In Mali, French is the working language: banks, contracts, ministries, site meetings, even ordering a taxi. Bamacours gives private French lessons to English speakers and foreign staff, at our ACI 2000 office, at your home or workplace, or online, starting with a free level test.
Where can I take French classes in Bamako?
Bamacours is a language center in Hamdallaye ACI 2000, opposite Place CAN, in Bamako. It has taught languages to adults since 2018 and offers private French lessons for English speakers and other foreigners, at the center, at home, at the workplace or online. You start with a free level test, then choose a course: the three-month French Essentials program (54 hours) costs 285,000 FCFA (about €435), the four-week intensive course costs 290,000 FCFA (about €442), plus a 12,500 FCFA registration fee. Companies get a quote after free level tests for their staff.
To book, message +223 85 03 85 03 on WhatsApp or write to [email protected]. Lessons can be explained in English at first.
How much do French classes cost in Bamako?
You pay for a full course with a clear goal, not by the hour. Every course includes the level test, a written plan and follow-up between lessons.
French Essentials
To get by in daily life and at work
- Private lessons, times you choose
- A target level checked at the end
- Written progress review halfway
Four-week intensive
For a new posting or an urgent start
- Lessons every working day
- Speaking and urgent situations first
- Guided homework every evening
Team training
For companies, banks, mines and NGOs
- Groups of 2 to 12 by level
- On site, at our center or online
- Attendance and progress reports
Plus a one-off 12,500 FCFA registration fee. Prices apply at our ACI 2000 center and online; for lessons at your home anywhere in Bamako, the teacher’s travel is included: 395,000 FCFA (about €602) for French Essentials and 350,000 FCFA (about €534) for the four-week intensive. Payment by Orange Money, Wave, bank transfer or cash. Euro amounts are approximate.
pledge
If you do not reach your target level, we keep going
On French Essentials: if you attended at least 90% of lessons and did the work, and the exit test does not confirm the level agreed at the start, we add 6 lessons free of charge.
I’m a complete beginner: how soon can I get by?
With three lessons a week, most English speakers handle simple everyday exchanges (CEFR level A1) within three to five months: greetings, shopping, directions, phone calls, simple emails. The four-week intensive gets you through the first weeks of a new posting much faster.
Your teacher explains in English at first, then switches to French step by step. We work on what English speakers find hardest: false friends (actually is not actuellement), nasal sounds, and when to use tu or vous in Bamako.
Not sure of your level? Take our 15-minute French level test (bilingual, free) or the full test.
Survival French for your first week
At the market or in a shop
C’est combien ? How much is it? · C’est trop cher. It’s too expensive. · Je voudrais celui-ci. I’d like this one.
In a taxi
À l’ACI 2000, s’il vous plaît. To ACI 2000, please. · Arrêtez-vous ici. Stop here. · On s’est mis d’accord sur le prix ? Have we agreed on the price?
At the office
Vous pouvez répéter, s’il vous plaît ? Could you repeat, please? · Je vous envoie le document. I’ll send you the document. · La réunion est à quelle heure ? What time is the meeting?
One word of Bambara
I ni ce is the everyday Bambara greeting in Bamako. People love it when a foreigner uses it. Want more? See our Bambara lessons.
Can you teach our team on site?
Yes. Your engineers, managers and technical staff need French to work without an interpreter: safety briefings, client calls, letters from the bank, meetings with Malian partners. We run the whole training for you.
- Free level tests for every employee, at our center or online
- Groups of 2 to 12 by level, on site, at our center or by video call
- Job-specific French: banking, mining, construction, development projects
- Monthly attendance, mid-course review, final report and individual certificates
- Quotes, invoices in the company’s name and responses to tenders
Where and when are the classes held?
Our center is in Hamdallaye ACI 2000, opposite Place CAN, on the first floor above the bakery. The air-conditioned classroom is a short drive from most embassies, banks and company offices in ACI 2000.
Private lessons are scheduled around your work: during the day, in the evening or on Saturday morning. If you travel or have not arrived yet, every course is also available online, at the same price.
- Address
- Hamdallaye ACI 2000, opposite Place CAN, first floor, Bamako
- Office hours
- Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 2 pm
- WhatsApp and phone
- +223 85 03 85 03
- [email protected]
A language center in Bamako since 2018
Staff from NGOs, cooperation agencies and companies have taken language courses with us: Muso staff in French, GIZ and Eirene teams in Bambara, Acted and United Nations staff in English. Our certified translation team works on official French documents every week, which is why our writing lessons are demanding.
French classes in Bamako: your questions
How much do French classes cost in Bamako?
At Bamacours, the three-month French Essentials program (54 hours of private lessons) costs 285,000 FCFA, about €435, and the four-week intensive course costs 290,000 FCFA, about €442, plus a 12,500 FCFA registration fee. Company training is quoted after free level tests.
Do your teachers speak English?
Yes. For beginners, the teacher explains in English at first, then gradually moves to French only.
Can I start French lessons before I arrive in Mali?
Yes. Every course is available online at the same price, and you can switch to lessons at our center or at home once you arrive in Bamako.
Will I get a certificate?
You receive a Bamacours course certificate stating the level you worked on, based on the European framework (CEFR). It is not an official diploma: for immigration or university purposes, you need the DELF, TCF or TEF, which we can help you prepare.
Can you train our employees at our site?
Yes. We test each employee for free, then teach groups of 2 to 12 by level at your site, at our center or by video call, with attendance records and progress reports for your HR team.
Can I learn Bambara as well?
Yes. Bamacours also teaches Bambara, the most widely spoken language in Bamako, at our center or online.
Find out your French level in 15 minutes
A bilingual online test, your result within 24 hours, and the course we recommend for your goal.