The verdict in three sentences
For a student, trader or employee in Ouagadougou starting from zero, what matters most is not grammar but 300 words, the right sounds and a one-minute introduction you can say without freezing. A language school costs roughly 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA a month, while the course Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood (level 1 Essential, 25,000 FCFA, about 38 EUR, 13 h) is paid once and fully explained in French. The condition for progress is the same everywhere: 15 minutes of practice a day, without fail.
Why English is becoming useful in Ouagadougou
Burkina Faso borders English-speaking neighbors, Ghana first, and a lot of trade flows through Accra, Kumasi or Lagos. NGOs, cooperation projects, hotels and mining companies post jobs asking for "basic English". Scholarships and many online courses also require a minimum level of understanding.
At this level, English does not pay on its own yet, but it opens doors. Across the West African job market, a reception, sales or front-desk role that asks for basic English often pays 20,000 to 50,000 FCFA more a month than the same role without it (2026 order of magnitude, varying by sector and city). A trader who can welcome a Ghanaian or Nigerian customer also wins back sales he used to lose.
Language school, free apps or online course: comparison
| Option | Indicative cost 2026 | Pace | Advantage | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language school in Ouagadougou | 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA a month | 2 to 3 sessions a week | Teacher in person, group | Travel, fixed hours, cost over several months |
| Private tutor at home | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA an hour | On demand | Personal attention | Quickly expensive over 3 months |
| Free apps (Duolingo and others) | 0 FCFA | 5 to 15 min a day | Fun, regular | Little real speaking, explanations in English or translated |
| YouTube videos | 0 FCFA | Free | Free, varied | No progression or correction |
| Kolonell level 1 Essential course | 25,000 FCFA once | 13 h at your own pace | Explained in French, quizzes, recorded and corrected introduction | Requires self-discipline |
Over three months, a language school adds up to 120,000 to 240,000 FCFA, five to ten times the price of the online course. The two can also work together: the course lays the foundations, then a school or conversation group gives you practice.
What you learn and how to progress
The program has four modules: sounds, alphabet and numbers; greeting, introducing yourself and being polite; the present simple and everyday vocabulary; and getting understood in simple situations (asking a price, asking the way, answering the phone). You finish with your one-minute introduction recorded and corrected.
| Week | Goal | Daily 15-minute practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pronounce the alphabet, numbers, sounds that trip up French speakers | Repeat 20 words aloud |
| 2 | Greet, introduce yourself, say your job and city | Record your introduction on your phone |
| 3 | Use the present simple to talk about your habits | Write 5 sentences about your day |
| 4 | Understand and ask simple questions | Listen to a short dialogue and repeat it |
| 5 | Cope in a shop, on the phone, at a front desk | Role-play a scene with a friend |
| 6 | Final one-minute introduction | Final version recorded and sent |
This level opens the Professional English track, which takes you in five levels up to workplace English. The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA, payable by Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Salif, 26, sells phones and accessories at Ouagadougou's main market. Every week a few Ghanaian and Nigerian customers come by and he serves them with gestures. He estimates he loses about two sales a week, at an average margin of 3,000 FCFA each.
After six weeks of the course at 15 minutes a day, he can greet, give a price, present models and negotiate in simple sentences. Cautious assumption: he wins back one sale in two.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Sales recovered: 1 a week, so about 4 a month.
- Extra margin: 4 × 3,000 = 12,000 FCFA a month.
- Course cost: 25,000 FCFA.
- Estimated payback: just over two months, not counting the confidence gained for other opportunities.
Compared with three months of language school at 50,000 FCFA, or 150,000 FCFA, the difference is clear. This calculation is illustrative: the course guarantees neither a job nor extra income.
FAQ
I have never studied English, is this suitable?
Yes, everything starts from zero and is explained in French. The 13 h begin with the alphabet, numbers and sounds before the first sentences.
How long until I can introduce myself?
As an order of magnitude, four to six weeks at 15 minutes a day on top of the lessons. You finish with a one-minute introduction, recorded and corrected.
Can I follow it on a phone with a slow connection?
Yes, lessons are designed for mobile. Just plan a data bundle for the audio content, which is lightweight.
Is the certificate recognized?
It is a numbered certificate, verifiable online and shareable on LinkedIn, issued after the lessons, quizzes passed at 70 % and the final project. It is not an official test like TOEIC.
How do I pay from Burkina Faso?
The 25,000 FCFA fee is paid by Wave or Orange Money. The full track is 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 13 h, 25,000 FCFA, certificate verifiable online, explained 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.
