The verdict in three sentences
In Touba, English is increasingly useful: Gambian, Ghanaian or Nigerian customers at the Ocass market, online suppliers, relatives in the diaspora in the United States, job ads asking for "some English". Starting from scratch does not take years, but it does take a precise goal: the sounds that trip up French speakers, introducing yourself and about 300 useful words. The Kolonell Beginner English course (level 1 Essential, 25,000 FCFA, 13 hours, explained in French) takes you to a one-minute self-introduction delivered without reading.
Why learn English in Touba in 2026
Touba is one of Senegal's largest trading cities, and many of its families have members in New York, Italy or Spain. Traders welcome customers from The Gambia, the English-speaking neighbor, and increasingly buy on English-language online platforms. Students meet English in job applications, scholarships and digital tools.
| Situation in Touba | What you need to say or understand | Concrete benefit (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Gambian or Ghanaian customer at the market | Greet, give a price, count in English | One or two extra sales a week |
| Order from an online supplier | Read a product page, a delivery time, a price | Avoid costly ordering mistakes |
| Video call with a relative in the United States | Understand and answer simple sentences | Help a family member with paperwork |
| Job application (hospitality, transport, NGO) | Introduce yourself in one minute | Often requested at interview |
| Student preparing a scholarship application | Reading and pronunciation basics | Starting point before an intermediate level |
| Welcoming foreign visitors during the Magal | Give directions, inform, greet | Better relations with visitors |
Comparing options for beginners
| Option | 2026 cost (order of magnitude) | Pace | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps (Duolingo and others) | Free | 10 to 15 min a day | Useful for vocabulary, little French explanation of pronunciation |
| YouTube videos | Free | Flexible | Scattered content, no clear progression |
| Local language center | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA a month | 2 to 3 sessions a week | Teacher present, but fixed hours and travel |
| Private lessons | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | On demand | Good follow-up, high cost over several months |
| Kolonell Beginner English course: introduce yourself, understand and be understood | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR), one-time | 13 h, self-paced, on your phone | Everything explained in French, verifiable certificate |
Three months at a language center at 45,000 FCFA comes to 135,000 FCFA, more than five times the price of the course. A center remains a good option if you need a teacher in front of you. The online course suits you if your trading or study hours are irregular.
What you learn at level 1 Essential
The course is level 1 Essential of the Professional English track. It really starts from zero and has four modules.
| Module | Content | What you can do at the end |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds, alphabet and numbers | The sounds that trip up French speakers, spelling, counting | Give a price, a phone number, spell your name |
| Greeting and introducing yourself | Polite phrases, name, city, job | One-minute introduction without reading |
| The present simple in daily life | Talking about your work and habits | Describe your business in simple sentences |
| Making yourself understood | Asking someone to repeat, rephrasing, asking a question | Hold a first conversation at work |
The goal is about 300 of the most useful words. After that, the logical next step is level 2, Office English (emails, phone and daily exchanges), at 50,000 FCFA. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Cheikh, 27, a fabric seller at the Ocass market in Touba. Every week, two or three English-speaking customers leave without buying because he cannot discuss price and quantities.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
He completes the 13 hours in 4 weeks, at 30 minutes a day on his phone. He learns to greet, count up to 100,000, state a price and ask "How many meters?". If he closes one extra sale a week with a 10,000 FCFA margin, he earns about 40,000 FCFA more a month.
The 25,000 FCFA course is then covered in under 3 weeks. Compared with 3 months at a language center (135,000 FCFA), he saves 110,000 FCFA. This calculation remains an assumption: the gain depends on your business and your practice.
FAQ
Can you really learn English from scratch in 13 hours?
In 13 hours you will not be bilingual, but you will be able to introduce yourself, count and make yourself understood in simple situations. It is a solid base before the 18-hour level 2.
Is the course explained in French?
Yes, all explanations are in French, with English sounds and sentences to listen to and repeat. It works even if you have not studied English since secondary school.
Do I need a computer?
No, a phone with an internet connection is enough. Setting aside 15 to 30 minutes a day lets you finish in 4 to 6 weeks.
How much does a language center cost in Touba?
The 2026 order of magnitude is 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA a month, depending on the number of sessions. The Kolonell course costs 25,000 FCFA once.
How do I pay?
The 25,000 FCFA payment is made with Wave or Orange Money. A verifiable certificate is issued at the end of the level.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 13 hours, 25,000 FCFA, verifiable certificate, taught in French. Pay with Wave or Orange Money. Questions? WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
