The verdict in three sentences
For a student or trader in Thiès who has never spoken English, the hardest part is not grammar: it is daring to speak with the right sounds. The Kolonell Academy Beginner English course, level 1, costs 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) for 13 hours of guided work explained in French, the price of three to five hours of private tutoring. With 15 minutes of practice a day, the realistic goal is a one-minute self-introduction in English, spoken without notes, in about a month.
Options for learning English in Thiès in 2026
Thiès has private tutors, a few institutes and decent 4G coverage. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude of costs.
| Option | 2026 price | Pace | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps | 0 FCFA | Free | Playful vocabulary | Little speaking, no explanations in French |
| YouTube videos | 0 FCFA (plus mobile data) | Free | Native accent | No structured progression |
| Private tutor | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | 2 h a week | Direct correction | 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA a month |
| Language institute | 60,000 to 90,000 FCFA per term | 3 sessions a week | Group, certificate | Fixed hours, travel |
| Kolonell Beginner English (level 1) | 25,000 FCFA | 15 to 30 min a day | Explained in French, corrected exercises | Requires regular practice |
| Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Several months | From zero to business English | Long commitment |
On data: a video lesson uses 100 to 200 MB on average. A 1,000 FCFA weekly bundle is usually enough to keep up.
What you learn at level 1
The course Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood is taught in French and opens the Professional English track. It has four modules.
| Module | Content | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sounds, alphabet, numbers | Pronunciation, spelling, prices and times | Spell your name, say a price in FCFA |
| 2. Greeting and introducing yourself | Phrases, job, city, family | Introduce yourself in one minute |
| 3. Present simple in daily life | Common verbs, questions, negatives | Describe your day and your work |
| 4. Making yourself understood | Asking to repeat, rephrasing, useful gestures | Hold a simple exchange with a customer |
The course targets about 300 words useful at work. That is not much, but it is the base that lets you understand a Ghanaian or Nigerian customer and reply.
The 15-minutes-a-day method
Learning a language depends on regularity more than on long sessions. Here is a typical four-week plan.
| Week | Time per day | Goal | Success indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 min | Sounds and numbers | Say 20 prices without hesitating |
| 2 | 15 min | Introducing yourself | Record a 30-second introduction |
| 3 | 20 min | Present simple | Describe your day in 8 sentences |
| 4 | 20 min | Being understood | Act out a customer scene with a friend |
| Review | 10 min | Vocabulary | Recite 50 work words |
Record yourself as a WhatsApp voice note at the end of each week: comparing week 1 with week 4 is more motivating than any lesson.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Modou, 31, sells spare parts at the central market in Thiès. He regularly gets English-speaking customers passing through and loses sales because he cannot state a price. He pays 25,000 FCFA with Wave and studies 20 minutes a day for six weeks. If this helps him close just two extra sales a month, at a 15,000 FCFA margin each, he gains 30,000 FCFA a month: the course pays for itself in under four weeks. With a tutor at 7,500 FCFA an hour, the same 13 hours would have cost 97,500 FCFA.
FAQ
I have never studied English. Is this really for me?
Yes, level 1 starts from zero and every explanation is in French. You only need to read French and have a phone with 4G.
How long until I can speak?
The 13 hours take four to six weeks at 15 to 20 minutes a day. You will be able to introduce yourself and hold a simple exchange, not yet negotiate.
Is there a certificate?
Yes, a Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end. It adds to a CV, but your ability to introduce yourself in an interview matters more.
What comes after level 1?
The Professional English track continues with emails and phone calls, then conversation and business English. The 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
How do I pay?
With Wave or Orange Money, 25,000 FCFA in one go, no subscription.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 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.