Office English course in Dakar: emails and phone calls in 2026

The verdict in three sentences

In Dakar, the English that makes a difference at work is not essay English, it is the English of short emails, phone calls and messages with Ghanaian, Nigerian, Chinese or European partners. The Kolonell course "Office English" costs 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) for 18 hours online, while a language school charges 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA per term. In a bilingual role, the allowance of 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA per month seen in 2026 repays the course within a few weeks if the employer recognizes it, which is not automatic.

The jobs in Dakar where office English pays

At the Port of Dakar, in freight forwarding firms, call centers along the VDN, NGOs in Point E or hotels on the Corniche, English arrives in writing and on the phone. A supplier in Lagos sending an invoice, a shipping line confirming a slot, a client calling from London: you need to understand, reply politely and pass on the right message.

The target level here is practical: introducing yourself, writing eight types of emails, answering a call, taking a message, transferring, calling back. No need to sound like a native speaker, you need to be clear and quick.

These amounts are market estimates: they vary by company, seniority and negotiation.

Online course, language school or free apps

The course Office English: emails, phone calls and daily exchanges, taught in French, runs in five modules: professional introduction, office and task vocabulary, simple emails, phone, video calls and messages, exchanges with colleagues and clients. You leave with your written and recorded introduction, a 200-word glossary sorted by task, a kit of eight template emails adapted to your job, phone scripts (greeting, taking a message, transferring, calling back, outbound call), a printable phone message form and a notebook of 50 phrases for requests, reporting and small talk.

This is level 2 of the Professional English track. If you cannot yet introduce yourself in English, level 1 (25,000 FCFA) comes first. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA bought individually.

Mini case study

Fatou, 27, an assistant at a freight forwarding firm near the Port of Dakar, earns 230,000 FCFA per month. She forwards every English email to her manager and spends about 3 hours per week translating with online tools, with embarrassing mistakes.

She takes the course over six weeks, 3 hours per week, and adapts the eight template emails to her files: arrival confirmation, document request, payment reminder. After two months, she handles exchanges with two shipping lines on her own. At her annual review, she takes over the English-speaking accounts with an allowance of 60,000 FCFA per month.

Calculation: 50,000 FCFA paid via Orange Money, recovered in less than one month of allowance, or 720,000 FCFA over a year. This scenario is illustrative: allowances depend on each company's pay policy.

FAQ

What level do I need to start?

You need the basics: introducing yourself, understanding simple sentences. If not, level 1 "Beginner English" at 25,000 FCFA (13 hours) prepares you for this level 2.

How long to complete the 18 hours?

On average five to six weeks at 3 hours per week. Phone scripts benefit from being repeated aloud 10 minutes a day.

Will I be able to answer the phone in English after the course?

Yes for common situations: greeting, taking a message, transferring, calling back. For negotiating or presenting a project, levels 3 and 4 (75,000 and 100,000 FCFA) go further.

Is the certificate useful to an employer?

The Kolonell certificate is verifiable online and awarded after passing the quizzes at 70% and submitting the final project. It supports a request for an allowance, but your proven ease on the job is what convinces.

How do I pay and when can I start?

The 50,000 FCFA enrollment is paid by Wave or Orange Money, with immediate access. You progress at your own pace, in the evening or during breaks.

Take the next step. Enroll in Office English: emails, phone calls and daily exchanges: 18 hours online (taught in French), 50,000 FCFA, verifiable Kolonell certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money. Questions? WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.