The verdict in three sentences
If you live in Thiès and English holds you back in interviews or job ads, the first step is not an expensive intensive course but a solid foundation to introduce yourself and be understood. Kolonell Academy's Beginner English course (level 1, 13 hours, 25,000 FCFA, about 38 EUR) is explained in French and aims for a concrete result: your one-minute introduction in English, spoken without reading. Bilingual profiles commonly earn a 15 to 25% premium on entry salary, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
Why English matters for a job in Thiès and Dakar
Thiès is one hour from Dakar and AIDB airport, with businesses that look outward: industry, construction, call centers, tourism on the Petite-Côte, mining and oil projects, NGOs. Many job ads say "English preferred" or "English required", even for reception, logistics or sales roles.
| Target role (Thiès / Dakar region) | Monthly salary without English | Salary with working English | Gap, 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptionist, hospitality | 120,000 FCFA | 145,000 FCFA | +20% |
| Call center agent | 150,000 FCFA | 190,000 FCFA | +25% |
| Logistics or freight assistant | 180,000 FCFA | 210,000 FCFA | +15% |
| B2B sales rep | 200,000 FCFA + commissions | 240,000 FCFA + commissions | +20% |
| Administrative assistant in an NGO or project | 250,000 FCFA | 300,000 FCFA | +20% |
| Tour guide or driver | 100,000 FCFA | 125,000 FCFA + tips | +25% |
Level 1 will not make you bilingual in 13 hours. It gives you the sounds, the 300 essential words and the basic sentences to hold a first conversation, then progress towards professional English.
Comparing ways to learn English in 2026
| Option | 2026 cost | Pace | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Academy, Beginner English (level 1) | 25,000 FCFA one-off (about 38 EUR) | 13 h, self-paced on your phone | Explanations in French, concrete goal, certificate | No teacher in front of you |
| Full Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | About 6 to 9 months | From beginner to business and leadership English | Long commitment |
| Language center in Thiès | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA a month | 2 to 3 sessions a week | Group speaking practice | 180,000 to 360,000 FCFA over 6 months, fixed hours |
| Private tutor | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA an hour | Depends on availability | Personal follow-up | Expensive over time |
| Free apps | 0 FCFA | Free | Vocabulary, daily habit | No follow-up, frequent drop-out, little African context |
The course Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood, taught in French, has four modules: sounds, alphabet and numbers; greeting, introducing yourself and being polite; the present simple and everyday vocabulary; making yourself understood in simple situations. It opens the Professional English track, whose level 2 covers office emails and phone calls (50,000 FCFA).
What you will be able to do at each step
| Step | Indicative time | Skill gained |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 3 h | Spell your name, give a phone number and a date |
| Week 2 | 3 h | Greet, introduce yourself, say where you are from and what you do |
| Week 3 | 4 h | Talk about your day and your work in the present simple |
| Week 4 | 3 h | Ask someone to repeat, understand an instruction, give your minute without reading |
At 30 minutes a day, the 13 hours fit into one month.
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, 24, a management graduate in Thiès, is aiming for a call center agent job with a company recruiting for English-speaking clients. She takes level 1 at 25,000 FCFA over four weeks, then level 2 at 50,000 FCFA. If she lands a job at 190,000 FCFA instead of a monolingual job at 150,000 FCFA, the gap is 40,000 FCFA a month. The two levels, 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), pay for themselves in under 2 months of salary, and the gap is worth 480,000 FCFA over a year. This is an estimate: getting hired also depends on the rest of her profile.
FAQ
I have not done any English since high school, is this suitable?
Yes, level 1 starts from zero: sounds, alphabet, numbers. Everything is explained in French, in 13 hours across four modules.
How much does the course cost and how do I pay?
25,000 FCFA for level 1 (about 38 EUR or 42 USD), less than one month at a language center (30,000 to 60,000 FCFA). The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Can I take the course on a phone?
Yes. Lessons are designed for smartphones, in 20 to 30 minute sessions, including on an average mobile connection.
Is this enough for an interview in English?
Level 1 lets you introduce yourself in one minute and answer simple questions. For a full interview, add level 2 or 3, i.e. 2 to 4 more months of practice.
Is there a certificate?
Yes, a Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end of the course, which you can add to your CV and LinkedIn.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 13 hours, 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), 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.
