The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, what makes the difference in an interview is rarely your written English: it is your ability to speak without freezing in front of an English-speaking recruiter or partner. In exposed sectors (NGOs, port logistics, upscale hospitality, trade with Nigeria and Ghana), the observed salary gap between two candidates for the same job ranges from 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA a month (about 75 to 230 EUR), depending on the role, and no amount is guaranteed. If you already read and write simple English but freeze when speaking, the level 3 Intermediate "Conversational English" course (75,000 FCFA, about 115 EUR, 15 h) targets exactly that block.
Where spoken English shows up on a Dakar payslip
English does not raise a salary by magic. It opens access to jobs and contacts that stay closed to candidates who cannot hold a conversation. The gaps below are 2026 orders of magnitude, taken from the course page and the Dakar job market: they depend on the sector, the employer and your profile, and no income is guaranteed.
| Sector in Dakar | Where speaking matters | Observed monthly gap (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| NGOs and international organizations | Donor meetings, calls with headquarters | 80,000 to 150,000 FCFA |
| Port logistics (Port authority, freight forwarders) | Exchanges with shipowners and captains | 60,000 to 120,000 FCFA |
| Upscale hospitality (Almadies, Plateau) | Front desk, guest welcome, complaints | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA |
| Trade with Nigeria and Ghana | Supplier negotiation, client calls | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA |
| Consultants and project officers | Workshops, steering committees | Access to previously closed assignments |
| Bilingual executive assistants | Hosting partners, meeting notes | 50,000 to 90,000 FCFA |
The logic is always the same: with equal technical skills, the recruiter picks the person who can give a progress update in English or host a partner from Lagos without an interpreter. That is why the course focuses on speaking, not school grammar.
What level 3 actually trains
The course Conversational English: speaking with ease at work, taught in French, has six modules of text lessons, with a PDF handout, exercises with answer keys, listening and recording exercises, and one quiz per module. Every model dialogue is set in Dakar, Abidjan, Accra or the diaspora.
| Module | What you train | Direct use at work |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Speaking confidence (free preview) | Ready-made phrase blocks, 15-minute daily routine | Stop translating in your head |
| 2. Pronunciation and accent | Word stress, rhythm, -ed and -s endings, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Indian accents | Be understood the first time |
| 3. Expressing ideas and opinions | Giving your view, nuancing, two-minute talk | Defend a proposal |
| 4. Asking, clarifying, rephrasing | "So what you're saying is", active listening | Stop pretending you understood |
| 5. Simple meetings | Progress update in the present perfect, polite interruptions | Take your place in a meeting |
| 6. Real-life conversations | Networking, hosting a partner, client call | Hold an exchange from start to finish |
Two projects are to be submitted: a three-minute recording defending a position (module 3), then a final project, a meeting simulation with three recorded conversations (networking, hosting a partner, client call). You leave with a bank of 150 spoken expressions, your pronunciation sheet with your 30 risky words, and your meeting templates. The tools are free: YouGlish, Cambridge Dictionary, your phone's voice recorder, Google Meet or Zoom, BBC Learning English, Anki.
Prerequisites to check before enrolling: an A2 level (writing a simple email, handling a short call), a smartphone or computer with a microphone and earphones, and a practice partner (colleague, relative, classmate), required for the final simulation. The course works on a phone over 3G, with no app to install.
What speaking practice costs, option by option
| Option in Dakar | Price (2026 order of magnitude) | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Academy, level 3 | 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), 15 h, lifetime access | Text lessons, PDFs, exercises with answer keys, quizzes, 2 projects |
| Full Business English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From beginner to TOEIC/IELTS preparation |
| Speaking course at a Dakar language institute | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA per session | In person, fixed hours |
| Private tutor at home | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA per hour | In person, one to one |
| Free videos and apps | 0 FCFA | No structure, no projects |
Plan about 15 hours: six weeks at 2.5 hours a week, plus 15 minutes of daily speaking practice. If you are not yet comfortable in writing, start lower in the Business English track; level 4 then adds professional writing, presentations and negotiation.
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: Awa, 27, logistics assistant at a freight forwarder in Dakar. She understands emails from shipowners but lets her colleague take the calls. A better-paid coordinator position opens, with daily calls in English.
Illustrative calculation: the course costs 75,000 FCFA. If, hypothetically, Awa landed a job paying 60,000 FCFA more per month (the low end of the sector range), the cost would be covered in just over one month of salary. If she stays in her current job, she still keeps her three recorded conversations and her meeting templates for her next interview. None of this is guaranteed: the scenario only shows the order of magnitude between the cost and what is at stake.
FAQ
I understand English but freeze when speaking: is this course for me?
Yes, that is its purpose. Module 1, free to view before paying, deals with mental translation and fear of mistakes, and every lesson has you speak aloud and record yourself.
Is the 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA gap guaranteed?
No. It is a 2026 order of magnitude observed on the Dakar and Abidjan job markets, depending on sector and role. The course guarantees neither a job nor a salary.
How do I pay and when does access open?
You pay 75,000 FCFA by Wave or Orange Money at +221 77 596 93 33. Access is activated within 24 working hours after payment, it is lifetime with updates, and it is not refundable once activated: try the free module 1 first.
What is the certificate worth?
By passing the module quizzes at 70% minimum, you receive a numbered Kolonell Academy certificate, verifiable online by QR code, which you can add to LinkedIn; your final project must also be approved by a reviewer. It attests a completed course and does not replace TOEIC or IELTS, covered at level 5.
Are there live classes or a teacher?
No. The format is text lessons, PDFs, exercises with answer keys, quizzes and projects, with no video or live classes. For questions, you have the course forum and WhatsApp support.
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Take the next step. Enroll in Conversational English: speaking with ease at work: 15 h, 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), Kolonell Academy certificate verifiable online. 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.
