The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, freezing when you speak costs more than a lack of vocabulary: you follow the meeting, you do not take the floor, and the job or assignment goes to someone else. A structured speaking course paid once costs less than three months at an institute and can be followed in the evening, from your phone. The right entry point for an A2 to B1 level is level 3 Advanced of the Professional English track, at 75,000 FCFA.
Why spoken English matters in Thiès in 2026
Thiès is not only a city of railway workers and teachers. The region's mining and cement industries, the Diamniadio urban hub less than an hour away, AIDB airport and donor-funded projects run in English all create jobs where spoken English is required: meetings with foreign engineers, supplier calls, partner visits, job interviews in English. The pattern is almost always the same: the person reads a technical manual or an email without difficulty, but translates in their head as soon as they have to answer.
| Profile in Thiès | Typical speaking situation | Monthly salary without spoken English (2026 order of magnitude) | With confident spoken English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial maintenance technician | Briefing with a foreign engineer | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 320,000 to 520,000 FCFA |
| High school or university teacher | Seminar, exchange programme | 300,000 to 450,000 FCFA | Extra allowances and teaching fees |
| NGO or programme officer | Meeting with an English-speaking donor | 400,000 to 650,000 FCFA | 500,000 to 850,000 FCFA |
| Logistics or freight agent | Calls with carriers | 200,000 to 350,000 FCFA | 260,000 to 450,000 FCFA |
| Sales assistant | Welcoming foreign clients | 180,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 230,000 to 400,000 FCFA |
| Administrative manager | Video calls with head office | 450,000 to 700,000 FCFA | 550,000 to 900,000 FCFA |
These 20 to 40% gaps are orders of magnitude seen in job ads, not a guarantee: spoken English mostly decides between two candidates with the same profile.
How much a spoken English course costs in Thiès
You have three realistic options. Institutes and private schools in Thiès or Dakar charge monthly, with fixed schedules that are hard to keep when you work shifts. Free YouTube resources help with listening, but nobody makes you speak. The Conversational English: speak with ease at work course is paid once and practised at your own pace. It is taught in French, with the phrases and dialogues in English.
| Option | Cost | Typical length | Real speaking practice | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language institute in Thiès or Dakar | 60,000 to 100,000 FCFA per month | 3 to 6 months, i.e. 180,000 to 600,000 FCFA | In groups of 10 to 20 | Institute attestation |
| Private tutor at home | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | 30 h, i.e. 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA | High, but depends on the tutor | None |
| Free YouTube videos and apps | 0 FCFA, plus data | Unlimited, no plan | Almost none | None |
| Kolonell Academy, level 3 Advanced | 75,000 FCFA once (about 115 EUR) | 24 h, over about 8 weeks | Guided speaking exercises | Kolonell Academy certificate |
| Full Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Beginner to leadership | Progressive | One certificate per level |
Teaching in French is deliberate: an oral reflex is easier to explain in your working language. Payment is made with Wave or Orange Money.
Which level to choose in the track
The Professional English track has five levels. If you cannot introduce yourself yet, start with level 1 Essential at 25,000 FCFA. If you already write simple emails but freeze on the phone, level 2 is enough. Level 3 Advanced targets exactly the profile described here: talking about your work for two minutes without searching for words, giving your opinion, keeping a conversation going and holding your place in a meeting.
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.
Ibrahima, 31, a maintenance technician at a cement plant in the Thiès region, earns 320,000 FCFA a month. He reads technical sheets in English but lets his team leader talk to the foreign engineers. He takes level 3 at 3 h a week for 8 weeks, for 75,000 FCFA paid with Wave. Compared with four months at an institute at 80,000 FCFA, he saves 245,000 FCFA. Six months later he is chosen as the contact person for work with the foreign supplier, with an allowance of 60,000 FCFA a month. Calculation: 75,000 / 60,000 = 1.25 months, so the course pays for itself in just over five weeks. This scenario is an illustration; the outcome depends on your employer and your practice.
FAQ
Do I need a good level already to take level 3?
You need an A2 to B1 level: understanding a simple email and the gist of a meeting. Below that, level 1 at 25,000 FCFA or level 2 at 50,000 FCFA fit better.
How much time per week should I plan?
Count on 3 h a week for about 8 weeks to cover the 24 h course. Sessions of 20 to 30 minutes every evening work better than one long session on Sunday.
Can I follow the course on a phone with a 3G connection?
Yes, lessons are designed for mobile and modest connections. Plan about 1 to 2 GB of data for the whole course if you watch every video.
How do I pay from Thiès?
Payment is made with Wave or Orange Money, in one go: 75,000 FCFA for this level or 350,000 FCFA for all 5 levels of the track.
Does the course guarantee a raise?
No. The 20 to 40% gaps are a 2026 order of magnitude seen on jobs requiring spoken English. The course gives you the skill and a certificate; what follows depends on your applications.
Take the next step. Enroll in Conversational English: speak with ease at work: 24 h, 75,000 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.
