The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, English is no longer a bonus: jazz festival tourists, cruise passengers, engineers from the GTA gas project and ship crews at the port speak English before French. An employee able to introduce themselves, understand a simple request and answer politely stands out at once, and a bonus of 20,000 to 50,000 FCFA per month is common for bilingual profiles. Kolonell's "Beginner English" course costs 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) for 8 hours online, the price of 3 to 5 hours of private tutoring.
How much does an English course cost in Saint-Louis in 2026?
2026 order of magnitude for an adult beginner's options:
| Option | 2026 price | Volume | Cost per hour | Constraints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private tutor at home | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | As needed | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA | Expensive over time |
| Language institute or centre | 75,000 FCFA per term (114 EUR) | 24 to 36 h | 2,000 to 3,100 FCFA | Fixed hours, often incompatible with hotel shifts |
| Free apps | 0 FCFA (data: 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA per month) | Unlimited | Almost nil | Isolated vocabulary, little professional speaking |
| Premium app subscription | 4,000 to 8,000 FCFA per month | Unlimited | Variable | Bank card, content not adapted to Senegal |
| Kolonell "Beginner English" (level 1) | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 8 h online | 3,125 FCFA | Self-paced, explanations in French |
The real criterion is not price per hour but regularity: 20 minutes a day for a month beats a 2-hour weekly session you miss every other time because of shift hours.
What English earns in Saint-Louis jobs
2026 order of magnitude, based on pay scales observed in Saint-Louis hospitality and services:
| Job | 2026 monthly salary (order of magnitude) | Bonus or gain with English | English situations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel receptionist | 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA (183 to 305 EUR) | 20,000 to 50,000 FCFA per month | Check-in, complaints, directions |
| Waiter or head waiter | 80,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA more in tips | Taking orders, the bill |
| Tour guide | 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA per tour | Access to English-speaking clients | Tours of the island, Guet Ndar, Djoudj park |
| Port or logistics agent | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA (229 to 457 EUR) | 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA per month | Documents, safety instructions |
| Rental driver or taxi | 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA | Better-paid rides, 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA more | Destinations, prices, schedules |
These bonuses are not automatic, but English opens access to the best-paid positions and clients.
What level 1 covers and the rest of the track
The Kolonell Academy Beginner English course, taught in French, is level 1 Essential of the Professional English track. Instructions are explained in French so nobody gets lost.
| Level | Course | Price | Duration | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Essential | Beginner English | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 8 h | Introduce yourself, understand, be understood |
| 2 Practical | Office English | 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) | 12 h | Emails, phone, daily exchanges |
| 3 Advanced | Conversational English | 75,000 FCFA (115 EUR) | 15 h | Speak with ease at work |
| 4 Professional | Business English | 100,000 FCFA (152 EUR) | 22 h | Presentations, negotiation, documents |
| 5 Pro Track | Expert English | 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR) | 40 h | Leadership, management, technical English |
The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 (about 534 EUR instead of 686 EUR). For a tourism employee, levels 1 and 2 (75,000 FCFA in total) already cover most everyday situations.
Mini case study
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Fatou, 27, a receptionist at a hotel on Saint-Louis island, earns 150,000 FCFA per month. She calls a colleague every time an English-speaking guest arrives. She takes level 1 over 4 weeks, 2 hours a week between shifts, for 25,000 FCFA paid with Wave.
Three months later, her manager hands her the arrivals of English-speaking groups with a bonus of 30,000 FCFA per month. Maths: the course pays for itself in under 4 weeks of bonus, and over a year the gain reaches 360,000 FCFA, 14 times the course price. Order of magnitude, not a guarantee: the bonus depends on the employer and the season.
FAQ
I only did two years of English at secondary school, is this level for me?
Yes, level 1 starts from the basics: greetings, numbers, time, simple questions. In 8 hours, the goal is to hold a 2 to 3 minute exchange with a client.
Can I take the course on a phone?
Yes, lessons and listening exercises work on a smartphone. Allow 1 to 2 GB of data for the full 8 hours, about 1,000 to 2,000 FCFA.
How long before I can talk to a client?
With 20 to 30 minutes of practice a day, most beginners handle a simple welcome within 4 to 6 weeks. Level 2 at 50,000 FCFA adds phone calls and emails.
Is the certificate useful for an employer?
It is a private Kolonell Academy certificate confirming the 8 hours completed and exercises passed. It shows your effort, but your ability to welcome a guest in English remains the best proof.
How do I pay from Saint-Louis?
With Wave or Orange Money, no bank card needed. Access opens as soon as the 25,000 FCFA payment is confirmed.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 8 hours online, taught in French, 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR), with a Kolonell Academy certificate. 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.
