The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, a guide, boatman, receptionist or waiter who cannot introduce themselves in English loses part of the British, American, Ghanaian or Gambian visitors to a competitor who can say hello, quote a price and explain a schedule. Each English-speaking customer is worth 5,000 to 20,000 FCFA in tips and excursions, while a few hours are enough to master the sounds, numbers and basic phrases. The course Anglais débutant : se présenter, comprendre et se faire comprendre (13 hours, 25,000 FCFA, about 38 EUR, explained in French) targets exactly that first step.
Situations where English pays in Saint-Louis
The Faidherbe bridge, the island, Guet Ndar, the Langue de Barbarie, Djoudj bird park: the city welcomes English-speaking visitors during the jazz festival, the bird season and tours heading north to Mauritania. Those visitors often pick the person they can understand.
| Situation | What you need to say | Possible gain (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting a tourist on arrival | Say hello, introduce yourself, ask where they are from | First contact, the basis for everything else |
| Offering a pirogue trip | Quote the price, duration, departure time | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA per trip |
| Serving in a restaurant | Present the menu, understand an order | Tip of 1,000 to 3,000 FCFA |
| Hotel or guesthouse reception | Give the room, breakfast time, wifi | Positive review, referred guests |
| Guided tour of the island | Numbers, dates, directions, simple sentences | 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA per person |
| A problem or the unexpected | Understand a request, apologise, offer a fix | Customer kept instead of a refund |
The course does not try to make you speak like a teacher. It gives you English sounds, the alphabet and numbers, polite phrases, the present simple with everyday vocabulary, then the sentences to make yourself understood in simple situations: about 300 useful words, all explained in French.
Comparing ways to learn English in Saint-Louis
| Option | Price (2026 order of magnitude) | Pace | Weak point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Beginner English course | 25,000 FCFA, one-off | 13 h, self-paced, on your phone | You still need to practise with customers |
| Local language centre | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA a month | 2 to 3 sessions a week | Fixed hours, hard during peak season |
| Private tutor | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA an hour | Depends on availability | Cost climbs quickly |
| Free apps | 0 FCFA | Free | Not designed for tourism in Senegal |
| Learning on the job | 0 FCFA | Years | Price and comprehension mistakes meanwhile |
For a beginner working irregular hours, the main advantage is being able to review for 20 minutes between two trips or in the evening. The Beginner English course page, basics to introduce yourself and be understood details the four modules.
What comes after beginner level
| Level | What you can do | Who it suits in Saint-Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (this course) | Introduce yourself, count, understand a simple question | Boatmen, waiters, sellers |
| Following levels of the track | Longer conversations, phone, emails | Receptionists, experienced guides |
| End of the track | Professional English at work | Hotel managers, tour agencies |
This course is level 1 of the Professional English track. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000, payable by Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Abdou, 27, a boatman in Guet Ndar, takes tourists to the Langue de Barbarie. He regularly misses English-speaking customers who leave with another boatman able to state the price and return time.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Average trip price: 15,000 FCFA per customer.
- Cautious assumption: 2 more English-speaking customers a month in season thanks to basic English, so 30,000 FCFA a month.
- Course cost: 25,000 FCFA, paid by Orange Money.
- Payback: 25,000 / 30,000 = under one month of the season.
- Over a 6-month season, the extra reaches 180,000 FCFA, not counting tips of 1,000 to 3,000 FCFA.
This is a 2026 order-of-magnitude estimate, not a promise: tourist numbers vary with the season and competition.
FAQ
I never studied English at school, can I take this course?
Yes, it starts from zero: sounds, the alphabet and numbers are in the first module, and every explanation is in French. The 13 hours can be spread over 3 to 4 weeks.
Do I need a computer?
No, a smartphone with a connection is enough. A short 15 to 20 minute lesson fits easily between two pirogue trips or two shifts.
Is it enough to become an English-speaking guide?
This level lets you introduce yourself, quote a price and understand simple questions. To narrate a full tour, continue with the next levels of the track.
How many words will I learn?
The course targets about 300 words and the sentences that go with them, chosen for common work situations. That is enough to hold a first conversation.
How do I pay?
By Wave or Orange Money, 25,000 FCFA one-off for this level. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Anglais débutant : se présenter, comprendre et se faire comprendre: 13 hours explained in French, 25,000 FCFA, 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.
