The verdict in three sentences
At Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD), a ground handling agent, a ground hostess or a transfer driver meets English-speaking passengers every day, from Nigeria, Ghana, the United States or the Gulf. Most ground agent job ads require functional spoken English, and the interview often comes down to a few minutes of conversation. Kolonell Academy's Conversational English course (level 3, 24 h, 75,000 FCFA) targets exactly that freeze: speaking without translating in your head, being understood the first time.
English situations at AIBD
Airport work happens in short sentences, under pressure, with varied accents. A passenger who missed a connection to Lagos or whose suitcase did not arrive from New York does not want a speech, they want a clear answer.
| Position | Typical situation in English | Skill trained in the course |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in agent | Excess baggage, seat, documents | Asking, clarifying and rephrasing |
| Ground / boarding agent | Delay, gate change, announcement | Pronunciation: being understood first time |
| Lost baggage agent | Loss report, file follow-up | Professional conversations in real situations |
| Security agent | Screening instructions, liquids, search | Ready-made phrases to speak without translating |
| Front desk / VIP lounge hostess | Directions, services, waiting | Expressing ideas and options clearly |
| Transfer or ride-hailing driver | Trip to Dakar, Saly, fare | Speaking confidence, small talk |
The course also includes a module on "taking an active part in simple meetings", useful for team briefings with a foreign airline supervisor.
Comparing options to improve your spoken English
Prices below are 2026 orders of magnitude in Dakar, except the Kolonell price, which is the catalogue price.
| Option | Indicative price | Volume | Strength / limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps and videos | 0 to 5,000 FCFA a month | Variable | Vocabulary, little guided speaking |
| Language institute in Dakar | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA per term | 30 to 40 h | Group setting, hard with shift rotations |
| Private lessons | 8,000 to 15,000 FCFA an hour | 24 h = 192,000 to 360,000 FCFA | Personalised, expensive |
| Kolonell Academy, level 3 Conversational English | 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR / 125 USD) | 24 h, at your own pace | Fits irregular hours |
| Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 (about 534 EUR) | From beginner to business English | Longer commitment |
The course Conversational English: speaking with ease at work, with explanations in French, is for A2 to B1 levels: you read simple English but freeze when speaking. You can follow it on your phone during breaks or on the shuttle between Dakar and Diass. If you are truly starting from zero, begin lower in the Professional English track. Enrollment is paid with Wave or Orange Money.
What English pays in airport jobs
Salaries below are 2026 orders of magnitude for AIBD and its contractors, excluding night and weekend allowances. They are not guaranteed and vary by employer (ground handling, airline, security, shops).
| Job | Indicative monthly salary | English required |
|---|---|---|
| Airport security agent | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Basic instructions |
| Check-in / ground agent | 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA | Required in most ads |
| Lost baggage agent | 220,000 to 380,000 FCFA | Required |
| Duty-free sales assistant | 150,000 to 280,000 FCFA | Strongly preferred |
| Station manager or supervisor | 450,000 to 800,000 FCFA | Fluent, meetings with airlines |
For an independent transfer driver, English mostly turns into customers: AIBD to Dakar rides are often charged 20,000 to 30,000 FCFA, and English-speaking travellers readily book the same driver for their return.
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, 26, is a security agent at AIBD earning 190,000 FCFA a month. A ground handling company is hiring check-in agents at about 280,000 FCFA, with an oral interview in English. She takes the course (75,000 FCFA, 24 h) at 3 h a week for eight weeks, rehearsing lost baggage and flight delay scenarios.
Calculation: if she gets the job, the 90,000 FCFA monthly difference pays the course back in under a month. Compared with 24 h of private lessons at 10,000 FCFA an hour, or 240,000 FCFA, she saves 165,000 FCFA. The interview outcome also depends on her file and the number of candidates.
FAQ
What level do I need for this course?
An A2 to B1 level: you understand simple sentences and read a basic email. Below that, levels 1 and 2 of the track, at 25,000 and 50,000 FCFA, are a better fit.
Can I follow the course with night shifts?
Yes, the 24 h are online and self-paced. At 3 h a week, you finish in about eight weeks.
Is pronunciation really worked on?
A whole module is devoted to it: word stress, rhythm and endings, the most frequent cause of misunderstanding with a passenger. Add about 15 minutes of speaking practice a day.
How do I pay and get the certificate?
The 75,000 FCFA is paid with Wave or Orange Money. A Kolonell Academy certificate verifiable online is issued after the quizzes of the six modules.
What next to aim for a supervisor role?
Level 4 Business English (100,000 FCFA, 34 h) prepares emails, reports and meetings. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Conversational English: speaking with ease at work: 24 h at your own pace, explanations in French, 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), verifiable 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.
