The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, British, American, Nigerian and Scandinavian tourists make up a growing share of visitors to the island, Djoudj park and the Langue de Barbarie, especially during the jazz festival and the high season from November to May. Staff who can hold a real conversation in English, beyond welcome and thank you, generally receive more tips, sell more excursions and get the best paid reception jobs. A 24 hour conversational course at 75,000 FCFA costs about three times less than the same volume of private lessons.
What English pays in Saint-Louis tourism
The amounts below are 2026 orders of magnitude observed among hotels, lodges and guides in Saint-Louis. They vary with the season and the establishment, and are not a guarantee of income.
| Job | Usual net monthly income | With conversational English | What concretely changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel receptionist on the island | 120,000 to 180,000 FCFA | 160,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Access to front desk lead positions |
| Independent tour guide | 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA in season | 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA in season | English speaking groups, higher tour prices |
| Hotel waiter or bartender | 80,000 to 130,000 FCFA plus tips | Tips up 30 to 50 % | Recommending dishes, chatting with guests |
| Boatman or guide at Djoudj | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per trip | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA per trip | Commentary on birds and history |
| Lodge or guesthouse manager | Variable | Better ratings on Booking and TripAdvisor | Replies to reviews and bookings in English |
| Craft seller on the island | Variable | Larger baskets | Negotiating and explaining items |
The situations to master, and the cost of each option
An English speaking tourist does not ask for perfect English: they want to be understood, reassured and advised. Here are the situations that matter most in Saint-Louis.
| Situation | What you need to be able to say | Key moment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check-in and hotel overview | Hours, breakfast, wifi, safety | Arrival | ||
| Excursion advice | Djoudj, Langue de Barbarie, Gandiol, price and duration | Evening or breakfast | ||
| History of the island | Faidherbe bridge, Unesco heritage, Aéropostale | Guided tour | ||
| Handling a complaint | Apologising, offering a solution, confirming | During the stay | ||
| Small talk | Guest's origin, music, Senegalese food | Meals, bar, transfers | ||
| Booking by phone or WhatsApp | Dates, number of guests, deposit | Before arrival | ||
| Learning option | 2026 cost | Volume | Certificate | Main limit |
| Private lessons in Saint-Louis | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | 24 h = 120,000 to 240,000 FCFA | No | Limited availability in high season |
| Group classes at a centre | 40,000 to 90,000 FCFA per term | 30 to 40 h | Sometimes | General English, little tourism |
| Free apps and videos | 0 FCFA | Unlimited | No | No guided speaking practice |
| Kolonell Academy, Conversational English (level 3) | 75,000 FCFA | 24 h, self-paced | Yes | Requires levels 1 and 2 or equivalent |
The recommended course is the Conversational English course: speaking with ease at work, level 3 Intermediate, 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), 24 hours of speaking exercises and role plays, with explanations taught in French. It is the core of the Professional English track: the 5 levels, from beginner to leadership, cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000. Payment by Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Moustapha, 31, an independent tour guide in Saint-Louis. In season, he mostly guides French speakers at 15,000 FCFA per island tour. After the course, taken in September and October before the season, he also offers his tours in English at 25,000 FCFA, the usual rate for English speaking groups.
- Target English tours: 2 per week over 24 weeks, i.e. 48 tours
- Extra per tour: 25,000 minus 15,000, i.e. 10,000 FCFA
- Gain over the season: 48 x 10,000 = 480,000 FCFA, for a course cost of 75,000 FCFA, recovered in about 4 weeks of season
This calculation is an order of magnitude: it depends on visitor numbers and your network with hotels.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
What level do I need for conversational English?
You need to be able to introduce yourself and exchange simple sentences, i.e. the level of the first two levels of the track. If you start from zero, begin with Beginner English then Office English at 50,000 FCFA.
Can I finish the course before the tourist season?
Yes, the 24 hours take 6 to 8 weeks at 3 to 4 hours a week. Starting in September gets you ready for the November high season and the jazz festival.
Does the course include tourism vocabulary?
It works on general professional conversation: welcoming, advising, handling complaints, informal exchanges. You adapt it to your job by preparing your own presentations, for example 10 sentences on Djoudj or the Faidherbe bridge.
Is it really cheaper than private lessons?
For 24 hours, private lessons at 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour cost 120,000 to 240,000 FCFA. The Kolonell course costs 75,000 FCFA, with a certificate.
How do I pay from Saint-Louis?
Payment is by Wave or Orange Money, directly from your phone. The course is then followed online, on a smartphone or computer.
Take the next step. Enroll in Conversational English: speaking with ease at work: 24 hours, 75,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy certificate included. 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.
