The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, a UGB student, an island guide or a hotel receptionist starting from scratch can learn to introduce themselves, understand a simple question and answer it in English in about thirteen hours of guided work. Language centre classes cost 20,000 to 40,000 FCFA a month, and free apps teach vocabulary but rarely make you speak. Kolonell Academy's level 1 online course costs 25,000 FCFA once, explained in French, to lay the foundations before moving on to office or tourism English.
Why English matters in Saint-Louis in 2026
Saint-Louis partly lives from tourism: jazz festival visitors, river cruise passengers, travellers heading to Djoudj and the Langue de Barbarie. A growing share of these customers speak English, and offshore gas activity (the GTA project) also brings English-speaking technicians and managers. For a student, English determines access to many scholarships and NGO internships.
| Profile in Saint-Louis | English situation | What beginner level allows | Possible gain (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel receptionist | Welcome, check-in, schedules | Greet, assign a room, give a price or time | Access to better-paid positions, 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA more per month |
| Island tour guide | Present a site, answer questions | Simple sentences, numbers, dates | Tours billed 15,000 to 25,000 FCFA per English-speaking group |
| UGB student | Read an article, introduce yourself in an interview | Solid basics before a test | Applying for scholarships and internships |
| Waiter at a riverside restaurant | Take an order | Menu, prices, common requests | More frequent tips |
| Craft trader | Negotiate a simple price | Numbers, politeness | Sales to foreign customers |
| Driver or boatman | Give directions, a fare | Directions, schedules | Recommended repeat customers |
These gains are indicative. A beginner level opens doors, it is not enough on its own for a job requiring fluent English.
Comparing ways to learn English in Saint-Louis
| Option | 2026 price | Time for the basics | Speaking practice | Explanations in French |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps (Duolingo type) | 0 FCFA, paid version about 7,000 FCFA a month | 2 to 4 months | Very limited | Partial |
| YouTube videos | 0 FCFA (excluding data) | Variable | No | Depends on the channel |
| Language centre classes in Saint-Louis | 20,000 to 40,000 FCFA a month | 3 months, i.e. 60,000 to 120,000 FCFA | Yes, in groups | Yes |
| Private tutoring at home | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | 15 h, i.e. 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA | Yes | Yes |
| Kolonell Academy, level 1 | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 13 h, at your own pace | Pronunciation exercises | Yes, fully in French |
The course Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood, taught in French, follows four modules: sounds, the alphabet and numbers, greeting and introducing yourself, the simple present to talk about daily life, then techniques to make yourself understood even with few words. It is built around about 300 words useful at work.
The method that works for a beginner
The biggest trap is learning word lists without ever pronouncing them. The level 1 method relies on a short, regular rhythm: 20 to 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for three to four weeks. Each lesson ends with a corrected exercise and a quiz.
| Week | Goal | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sounds, alphabet, spelling your name, numbers and prices | 3 h |
| 2 | Greeting, introducing yourself, presenting your job | 3 h 30 |
| 3 | Talking about your daily life, schedules and habits | 3 h 30 |
| 4 | Making yourself understood, rephrasing, asking someone to repeat | 3 h |
Next, the Professional English track continues over five levels: office English (emails and phone, 50,000 FCFA), professional conversation (75,000 FCFA), business English (100,000 FCFA) and expert English for managers (200,000 FCFA). The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
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.
Illustrative example: Mamadou, 23, a receptionist at a guesthouse on Saint-Louis island, earns 90,000 FCFA a month. His manager will put him in charge of English-speaking guests if he improves, with a bonus of 15,000 FCFA a month.
Mamadou takes level 1 (25,000 FCFA) over four weeks, 30 minutes a day on his phone during quiet hours. If he gets the bonus, the course pays for itself in less than two months. By also taking level 2 (50,000 FCFA) to handle booking emails, his total investment of 75,000 FCFA would be covered in five months, not counting tips.
FAQ
I have never studied English, can I start right away?
Yes, level 1 starts from zero and explains everything in French. In 13 hours, you learn to spell, count, introduce yourself and answer common questions.
How long before I can welcome a guest?
Practicing 20 to 30 minutes a day, most beginners can handle a simple welcome after three to four weeks. A fluent conversation rather requires levels 2 and 3, about 40 more hours.
What is the difference with a free app?
Apps teach vocabulary well, but without a work-oriented progression. Level 1 targets real professional situations and ends with a verifiable certificate, for 25,000 FCFA paid once.
Do I need a computer?
No, a smartphone and earphones are enough for the audio and exercises. Plan for about 1 to 2 GB of data for the full 13 hours.
Is the certificate recognized?
It is a Kolonell Academy certificate verifiable online, useful on a hospitality or tourism CV. It does not replace an international test such as TOEIC or IELTS, which you can prepare for later.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 13 hours explained in French, 25,000 FCFA, verifiable 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.
