Learn English in South Africa
We place Gabonese students in accredited English schools in Cape Town and Johannesburg — and we take care of the rest: school, visa, accommodation, arrival. In French, from start to finish.
● A PRADeXPERIENCE service · accredited partner schools · support in French
We are not an English school. We are the ones who take you there.
There is no shortage of good English schools in South Africa. What is missing, when preparing your departure from Libreville, is someone who knows them from the inside, who responds in French, and who will be there the day you land.
Okoumé selects the school that matches your level, budget and goal — then handles enrolment, your visa, accommodation and your first few days on arrival. You only have a single point of contact, and they are on your side of the table.
We are not paid by any school to push you towards one rather than another. We present you with the options that suit you, highlighting their real differences — even when the cheapest one is the right one.
Start by know your level
Fifteen minutes online, free, in French. You receive your CEFR level, the realistic timeframe to reach your goal, and the options that suit you — even before speaking to us.
Which English, for which project?
Every course option is available at several of our partner schools. We guide you towards the one that suits you — and to the school that teaches it best for your profile.
General English
The classic course: progression by level, in small groups, from beginner to advanced. From 2 to 24 weeks, with start dates every month.
IELTS preparation
The exact score your university requires, with mock exams and targeted work on your weak points. Generally 6 weeks.
Professional English speaker
Built around your job: your meetings, your emails, your industry vocabulary. One-to-one, at times that suit you.
English + university
You are aiming for a degree but not yet at the required level: a few months of English, then entry to university. We prepare both stages together.
Junior stay
English mornings through play and activities during the school holidays, bilingual supervision. For families already on site or visiting.
Conversation club
On Saturday morning, without a manual: we talk, a teacher gives guidance. Ideal for maintaining your level or regaining confidence in your oral skills.
Indicative starting rates, in South African rand, excluding accommodation and school registration fees. The complete budget — courses, accommodation, transfers, living expenses — is given to you in CFA francs during the consultation, before any commitment.
From Libreville to your first day of class
School choice
We present two or three partner schools suited to your level, budget and city — with their real differences.
Registration & quote
We are putting together the application with the school and will provide you with a complete budget in CFA francs. You can then decide, without any pressure.
Visas and accommodation
Admission letter, visa application, student residence or host family: we prepare everything from Gabon.
Arrival & first days
We will meet you at the airport and stay with you for the first week — SIM card, transport, first day of classes.
What is always included
Whatever stay you book, these four things are not charged as extras. They are part of the house.
Airport welcome
Someone is waiting for you at the exit, with your name on a sign, and drives you to your accommodation. No initial taxi to negotiate after eleven hours of travel.
A gift that's just like you
When you arrive, you will find a gift chosen for you — not some generic piece of merch with a logo on it. We will know you well enough to hit the mark.
WhatsApp direct
A phone number, a real person, on site and in your time zone. For administrative questions as well as the ones you dare not ask.
The first week with you
SIM card, transport, local landmarks, first day of classes. The moment it sinks in is always the same — we've made it.
Chosen as if It was for us
- AccreditedWe only work with approved schools whose certificates are recognised by South African universities.
- Two citiesCape Town and Johannesburg, several neighbourhoods, very different atmospheres. We will tell you which one matches your temperament and your budget.
- Small groupsWe rule out schools with overcrowded classes. Below a certain class size, one talks; above it, one listens.
- French-speakersOur partners regularly host students from Central Africa and know where French trips up English.
- VisitedWe went into every school, met the teams and saw the classrooms. None of them are recommended on a brochure.
This journey, we we did it
Nearly twenty years ago, the founder of Okoumé left Gabon to learn English in South Africa. He still lives there. Everything this page describes — the poorly chosen school, the regretted accommodation, the week where nothing makes sense — he went through without anyone to warn him. Okoumé exists so that you don't have to go through it alone.
Good to know
Is Okoumé an English school?
No. Okoumé doesn't run the courses: we place you in an accredited English language school in South Africa and take care of everything else — choosing the school, enrolment, the visa, accommodation and greeting you upon arrival. Our job is to get you into the right classroom, not to fill it.
How long does it take to learn English in South Africa?
That depends on your starting level and your goal. Generally, allow 8 to 12 weeks to complete a full level on an intensive course, and 4 to 6 weeks to prepare for an exam when the foundation is already there. The free level test allows us to give you a realistic timeframe right from the start.
Do I need a visa to take English classes in South Africa?
It depends on the duration. Holders of a Gabonese passport are granted 30 days without a visa in South Africa: a short course can be accommodated within this framework. Beyond 30 days, a visa becomes necessary, and for a course of more than 90 days it is an education visa, to be applied for before departure. The rules depend on your nationality and the chosen duration: we verify your exact situation before any registration and assist you with the application.
How much does a language study holiday in South Africa cost?
The prices shown on this page are starting rates, for guidance only. The actual budget depends on the school, duration, type of accommodation and season. During the consultation, we will provide you with a complete quote — courses, accommodation, transfers and living costs — with the equivalent in CFA francs.
Which schools does Okoumé place its students in?
We work with accredited schools in Cape Town and Johannesburg, chosen for their class sizes, the quality of their supervision and their experience with French-speaking students. We present the schools that match your level, budget and goals — we never push a single school.
Can you go straight on to university studies after English school?
Yes, and that is the most common route. Many Gabonese students start with a few months of English, reach the required level, and then enrol at a South African university. We prepare both stages together from the very first appointment.
What happens when I arrive in South Africa?
We meet you at the airport and drive you to your accommodation. During the first few days, we accompany you for the SIM card, transport, your first day of classes and getting your bearings in the neighbourhood. You keep in direct WhatsApp contact with us throughout your stay.
Ready to speak English for good?
Start with the level test — fifteen minutes, and you will know exactly where you stand and how much time you need.
Would you prefer to talk about it first? Book a free 30-minute consultation, in French.
