Menu
Expat.com
Search
Magazine
Search

Speaking French in Gabon

Priscilla

Hi everyone,

It is widely agreed that speaking French is essential for a successful integration in Gabon. Do you agree? Share your experience!

Do you speak French? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language course in Gabon?

If not, how do you cope with daily activities? Is it easy to communicate in a different language with Gaboneses?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Priscilla

See also
cricrigabon

Dear Priscilla,

Yes it certainly helps to speak French in Gabon because it is the official language.
I speak 5 languages (French, Dutch, Italian, English, Spanish and a bit of German) so integration was very easy for me.
But I alreafy mastered the language before moving here. I learnt it in school and in my polyglot family :-)
To learn the language you can check with the Institut Culturel in Libreville, at the schools or embassies or the Alliance Franco-Gabonaise in Port-Gentil.
Sometimes via other networks you can find private tutors. Some expat spouses also teach French.

Hope this answer helps you.

ngongha

Yes i do speak French.

I learn from Friends and also from school but am completely english orientated. Leaning French in Gabon is nothing. it should not be a difficult task as the country is French and there are a lot of people who also speaks English.


If you need some assistance let me know i could recon some.

Thanks

Justin Pinto

15-Feb.-2017: You could manage without speaking French in upmarket places and in multinational company offices in Gabon but would need at least a basic knowledge of French to get by with tradespeople (taxi drivers, bakers, milkmen, maids, petty shopkeepers, etc.,). Hope this helps, Ms. Priscilla (Admin.).