The verdict in three sentences
If you work in Saint-Louis in a hotel, an NGO, a department of Gaston Berger University or a company linked to the offshore gas projects, the English you are missing is mostly the English of short emails and phone calls. The Office English course for emails and phone calls (Level 2 Practical, 50,000 FCFA, about EUR 76, 12 h, taught in French) does not just give you lessons: you finish with a portfolio of deliverables that you keep on your phone and reuse every day. What matters here is what you build, module by module, and how you use it at your desk.
The seven deliverables you build
The course has five modules, each with written lessons, a PDF handout, exercises with online answer keys and a quiz. Every lesson is built around a model dialogue or email in a fictional company in Dakar or Abidjan. Here is what you produce, and what it is concretely for in Saint-Louis.
| Deliverable | Module | Concrete use in Saint-Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Written and recorded professional introduction | 1 | Welcome a donor or a tour group in under a minute |
| Office glossary of 200 words and phrases | 2 | Describe your tasks, schedule and deadlines |
| Kit of eight template emails tailored to your job | 3 | Confirm a booking, request a document, thank a partner |
| Phone scripts: greeting, message, transfer, callback, outgoing call | 4 | Pick up calmly when a +44 or +234 number rings |
| Printable phone message form | 4 | Take down name, number and request without mistakes |
| Notebook of 50 phrases (requests, reporting, small talk) | 5 | Ask politely, report what happened yesterday |
| Two recorded mock calls | 5 | Hear yourself and improve before the real call |
Two of these deliverables are projects to submit: the kit of eight template emails at the end of module 3, and the final project, your office English portfolio with the two mock calls, at the end of module 5. For the calls you need a microphone (your phone's is enough) and a partner, a colleague or relative, to play the caller.
Module by module
Module 1, which you can read for free before paying, teaches your 30-second introduction (name, role, company), how to present your company and the full dialogue for welcoming a foreign visitor. Module 2 builds office vocabulary, the present continuous and action verbs such as send, check, schedule and follow up. Module 3 is the core of the written part: email structure, phrases to request, confirm and thank, and a method to read an incoming email fast by spotting the request, the date and the action.
Module 4 covers the phone: answering, spelling without errors, putting on hold, transferring, calling back, and what changes on video calls or WhatsApp voice notes. Module 5 works on polite questions with could, would and do you know, the simple past and small talk without blunders.
The tools are the ones in your office: Gmail or Outlook, the online Cambridge Dictionary, WhatsApp Business, Google Meet or Zoom, and Anki to review your glossary.
What it costs, and what it may bring
| Option in Saint-Louis | Indicative 2026 cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free general English apps | 0 FCFA | Everyday vocabulary, few work emails or calls |
| Evening classes at a language center | roughly 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA per month | General English in a group, fixed hours |
| Kolonell Academy, Level 2 Practical | 50,000 FCFA once (about EUR 76), lifetime access | Office English, seven deliverables, verifiable certificate |
| Full Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From beginner up to level 5 |
On income, the course page stays cautious: in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, an assistant or administrative officer who can handle emails and calls in English is usually hired at 30,000 to 80,000 FCFA more per month (about EUR 46 to 122) than a French-only profile, in NGOs, logistics and hospitality. This is a 2026 order of magnitude that depends on the sector and the employer; no job or salary is guaranteed.
Prerequisite: level 1 of the track or equivalent (introducing yourself, spelling, using the present simple). If that is not you yet, start with level 1, listed on the Professional English track page.
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.
Consider a hypothetical learner: Mariama, 27, a receptionist in a hotel on Saint-Louis island. Every week she receives booking requests in English that a colleague translates for her. She studies 3 hours a week and finishes in four to five weeks. Her email kit includes a booking confirmation, a request for arrival time and a thank-you email after the stay.
Illustrative calculation: the course costs 50,000 FCFA. If, under a cautious assumption, this skill helped her move to a job paying 30,000 FCFA more per month, the cost would be covered in under two months. This is a calculation scenario, not a promised result.
FAQ
Is my English good enough to start?
If you can introduce yourself in a few sentences, spell your name and use the present simple, yes. Otherwise take level 1 first (25,000 FCFA); what you paid is deducted if you then move to the full track at 350,000 FCFA.
How much time should I plan?
About 12 hours: a little over six hours of lessons, the exercises, one hour for the email kit and two hours for the final portfolio. At 3 hours a week, allow four to five weeks.
Are there videos or live classes?
No. The course uses written lessons, PDF handouts, exercises with online answer keys, quizzes and two projects to submit. For questions you have the course forum and WhatsApp support. Everything works on a phone, even on 3G, with no app to install.
What certificate will I get?
A numbered Kolonell Academy certificate, verifiable online (QR code), that you can add to LinkedIn, earned by passing the module quizzes with at least 70 %; your final project must also be approved by a reviewer. It attests that you completed the course and does not replace an official test such as TOEIC or IELTS.
Can I try before paying?
Yes, module 1 is a free preview. Do it first: once access is activated, the course is not refundable. After payment, access opens within 24 working hours.
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Take the next step. Enroll in Office English: Emails, Phone Calls and Daily Exchanges: 12 h, Level 2 Practical, 50,000 FCFA (about EUR 76), verifiable Kolonell Academy certificate, taught in French. 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.
