The verdict in three sentences
If you read and write simple English (A2 to B1 level) but freeze as soon as you have to speak, the Conversational English course, level 3 Intermediate, 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR) for 15 hours targets exactly that problem. It costs less than one month of in-person conversation classes in Ziguinchor and runs on your phone, but it demands real discipline: 15 minutes of speaking practice a day and a partner for the dialogues. Start with the free module 1 to check the method suits you before paying.
Who it is for in Ziguinchor and Casamance
Casamance lives partly on tourism and development cooperation. A guide taking English-speaking visitors to Cap Skirring or the islands, a hotel receptionist handling a Nigerian or British guest, an NGO officer on a video call with a donor in London or Accra: they all hit the same wall. They understand the gist, but when it is their turn to speak, they translate in their head and the conversation has already moved on.
The program starts from that observation. Module 1, "Speaking confidence: talk without freezing", explains why you understand without speaking, then builds ready-made phrase blocks, filler words to buy thinking time and a 15-minute daily routine. Module 4, "Ask, clarify and rephrase", teaches you to stop pretending you understood: "so what you're saying is…", asking for details without looking lost, summarising a conversation. For a guide confirming a boat departure time or an officer receiving instructions from a donor, this is often the skill that prevents costly misunderstandings.
| Module | What you practise | Concrete use in Casamance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Speaking confidence: talk without freezing | Ready-made phrases, transitions, 15-min routine | Answer a visitor without awkward silence |
| 2. Pronunciation and accent | Word stress, rhythm, -ed and -s endings, Nigerian, Ghanaian, British accents | Be understood the first time on the phone |
| 3. Expressing ideas and opinions | Giving your view, nuancing, a 2-minute talk | Defend a proposal in front of a partner |
| 4. Ask, clarify and rephrase | Checking, asking for details, active listening | Confirm a booking or an instruction |
| 5. Simple meetings | Progress update in the present perfect, polite interruptions | Video call with a donor or head office |
| 6. Real-life conversations | Networking, welcoming a partner, client calls | Host a delegation from airport to lunch |
Each lesson is a text with the day's vocabulary, a model dialogue set in Dakar, Abidjan, Accra or the diaspora, explanations in French and exercises with answer keys, including listening and recording exercises on your phone. Each module has its PDF handout and quiz. There is no video and no live class: you read, repeat aloud and record yourself. The tools are free: YouGlish, the online Cambridge Dictionary, your phone's voice recorder, BBC Learning English, Anki, and Google Meet or Zoom for the simulation.
Price and duration compared in 2026
The Conversational English: speak with ease at work course, taught in French, costs 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), with lifetime access and updates included. It belongs to the Professional English track, which has 5 levels: taken as a whole, the track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 (about 535 EUR instead of 685 EUR).
| Option in Ziguinchor | Indicative 2026 cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Academy, level 3 Intermediate | 75,000 FCFA, one-off | 15 h, 6 modules, 2 projects, numbered certificate, lifetime access |
| In-person conversation classes | 50,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month (rough estimate) | Group sessions, fixed hours, renewed monthly |
| Free apps and videos | 0 FCFA | Vocabulary, little structured speaking practice |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From level 1 up to official test preparation at level 5 |
| Next level alone (Business English) | See the level 4 page | Professional writing, presentations, negotiation |
In terms of time, the course page plans about 15 hours: 7 hours of lessons, then the exercises and the two projects. The recommended pace is 2.5 hours a week for 6 weeks, plus 15 minutes of speaking practice every day. Lessons load on a phone over 3G, with no app to install.
What you need before starting: level 2 of the track (Office English) or an equivalent A2 level, meaning you can write a simple email and handle a short call; a smartphone or computer with a microphone and earphones; a practice partner (colleague, relative, classmate). The partner is required for the final meeting simulation.
What speaking skills can change on your salary
The course page cites an observed salary gap of 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA per month (about 76 to 230 EUR) between two candidates for the same job, depending on whether one can hold a conversation in English, in NGOs, upmarket hospitality, logistics or trade with Nigeria and Ghana. It is a 2026 rough estimate that depends on the sector and the role; the course guarantees neither a job nor a raise.
| Job in Ziguinchor or Cap Skirring | When speaking matters | Possible gap (2026 rough estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel receptionist | English-speaking guests, complaints | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA per month |
| Tour guide | Guided visits, negotiating tours | More foreign clients, varies by season |
| NGO or project officer | Donor video calls, oral reports | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA per month |
| Salesperson or trader | Gambian, Nigerian, Ghanaian suppliers | Access to previously closed suppliers |
| Independent consultant | Kick-off meetings, workshops | Access to English-language assignments |
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: Fatou, 27, a receptionist at a hotel in Cap Skirring. She writes decent English but lets her colleague take every call from an English-speaking guest. She enrolls in level 3 for 75,000 FCFA, follows the 2.5-hour weekly pace for 6 weeks and does her 15-minute routine every morning with a colleague.
A simple illustrative calculation: if, a few months later, Fatou gets a role or bonus worth an extra 50,000 FCFA a month (the bottom of the quoted range), the course pays for itself in a little under 2 months. If nothing changes on her pay, she still keeps her 150 spoken expressions, her pronunciation sheet and three recorded conversations. None of these gains is guaranteed: they depend on the employer and the tourist season.
FAQ
I understand English but cannot speak it. Is this course for me?
Yes, that is its main purpose. Module 1 tackles the block (mental translation, fear of mistakes, lack of ready-made phrases) and every lesson makes you speak aloud and record yourself, 15 minutes a day.
How much time should I plan?
About 15 hours in total, including 7 hours of lessons. Plan 6 weeks at 2.5 hours a week, plus the 15-minute daily speaking routine.
How do I pay from Ziguinchor?
By Wave or Orange Money at +221 77 596 93 33, after receiving your 75,000 FCFA pro forma invoice. Access is activated within 24 working hours after payment. It is not refundable once activated, so read the free module 1 first.
Is there a certificate?
Yes: a numbered Kolonell Academy certificate, verifiable online via QR code, which you can add to LinkedIn, earned by passing the quizzes of all 6 modules with at least 70 %; your final project must also be approved by a reviewer. It certifies a completed course and does not replace an official test such as TOEIC or IELTS.
Who answers my questions during the course?
Each course has its own forum, and WhatsApp support is available for practical questions. Exercises come with built-in answer keys so you can assess yourself.
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Take the next step. Enroll in Conversational English: speak with ease at work: 15 hours, 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), numbered 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.
