The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, English-speaking visitors to the jazz festival, Djoudj bird park or the Langue de Barbarie are far more likely to buy from the person who can introduce themselves, quote a price and answer three simple questions in English. You do not need years of classes for that: a core of survival phrases, numbers and pronunciation can be built in 13 hours. For 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), less than one month at a language institute, a guide or trader can win back sales they used to let go.
What not speaking English costs you
A guide on the island who does not understand "How long is the tour?" loses the customer to the guide next door. A fabric seller who cannot say "This one is ten thousand francs" watches the tourist walk away with a polite smile. Each customer served well can mean, as a 2026 ballpark, 5,000 to 20,000 FCFA in extra sales or tips.
| Common situation in Saint-Louis | Useful phrase | Possible gain, 2026 ballpark |
|---|---|---|
| Horse-cart tour of the island | "The tour takes one hour, it is 10,000 francs." | 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA per group |
| Pirogue trip to the Langue de Barbarie | "We leave at nine, please bring water." | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA per trip |
| Selling crafts at the market | "I can give you a good price for two." | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per sale |
| Hotel front desk | "Your room is on the first floor." | Tips and a good online review |
| Djoudj park visit | "Look, pelicans, they come every year." | 5,000 to 20,000 FCFA in tips |
| Restaurant during the jazz festival | "Would you like fish or chicken?" | Faster service, more covers |
Over a tourist season, ten extra sales at 10,000 FCFA already add up to 100,000 FCFA. These are estimates: they depend on visitor numbers and your trade.
Choosing how to learn
| Option | Cost, 2026 ballpark | Pace | Weak point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language institute in Saint-Louis | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA per month | 2 to 3 sessions per week | Hard to fit in during high season |
| Free apps | 0 FCFA (plus data) | Free | General vocabulary, not tourism |
| Learning "on the job" with tourists | 0 FCFA | Irregular | Pronunciation mistakes become habits |
| Kolonell Academy, beginner English | 25,000 FCFA, one-off | 13 h at your pace | You must practise out loud |
The course Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood (level 1 Essentials, 25,000 FCFA, 13 h, instructions in French) is designed for speaking, not for filling in grammar sheets. Each lesson pairs an audio to listen to and repeat with listening exercises. Each module ends with an audio role play and a quiz, and a trainer reviews your final project before you receive a numbered certificate, verifiable online.
What you can do at the end
You leave with your one-minute self-introduction recorded and corrected, a pronunciation sheet, a glossary of 300 useful words, a survival sheet of 40 phrases and four ready-to-use dialogues. For a guide or trader, that is what matters: greeting, introducing yourself, giving a price, a time, a direction, and understanding a short question.
| Skill | Before | After 13 h (target) |
|---|---|---|
| Introducing yourself | A few isolated words | One smooth, recorded minute |
| Quoting and negotiating a price | Showing a calculator | Saying numbers aloud without hesitation |
| Understanding a simple question | Often not | Common questions understood |
| Giving directions or times | Gestures only | Correct basic sentences |
| Useful vocabulary | Under 50 words | 300 words and 40 survival phrases |
A simple tip: listen to a five-minute audio every morning before opening the shop or heading out on a tour. Thirteen hours spread over four weeks beat one intensive day.
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.
Moussa, 31, drives horse carts for tours of Saint-Louis island. During the jazz festival, he sees English-speaking groups choose other guides. He pays 25,000 FCFA via Wave and completes the course in four weeks, about 3 hours per week, on his phone with earphones.
The following season, he takes on average three more English-speaking groups per week during the four busiest weeks, at 10,000 FCFA per tour. Estimated gain: 3 × 4 × 10,000 = 120,000 FCFA, almost five times the course price. Nothing is guaranteed, but three extra tours are enough to recover the 25,000 FCFA.
FAQ
I never learned English at school, can I follow the course?
Yes, it is level 1 of 5, built to start from zero. The 13 hours begin with the alphabet, numbers and pronunciation.
Can I take the course on my phone only?
Yes, the audios and exercises work on a smartphone. Plan for earphones and a data bundle, roughly 1 to 2 GB over the whole course depending on use.
Will I speak fluent English after 13 hours?
No. You will be able to introduce yourself, understand and be understood in simple situations, with 300 words and 40 survival phrases. Fluency comes with the next levels and practice.
Does the certificate help me find a job?
It is a numbered Kolonell certificate verifiable online, not an official test. In Dakar, front desk or reception jobs that ask for basic English often pay 20,000 to 50,000 FCFA more per month, with no job guaranteed.
What is the logical next step?
Level 2, Office English, covers emails and phone calls. The Professional English track bundles all 5 levels for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000, payable with Wave or Orange Money.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 13 hours, 25,000 FCFA, numbered certificate verifiable online. 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.
