Dan Zabrotski, co-founder and CEO of Speekl, is on a mission to transform the language learning experience using technology in new and exciting ways. At only 24 years old, he has impressive experience under his belt in various industries. His experience includes Fintech, Big Data, and more. Operating from Dubai, Zabrotski leads the U.S.-based online language learning platform that connects students with tutors in a flexible and efficient manner.
Speekl is built specifically for the needs of today’s learners. Through the innovative use of intelligent technology, the platform makes it easier than ever for students to find and meet with highly qualified tutors. Expanding upon her own experiences and research, Zabrotski imagined a more flexible and inclusive learning space. In this resource, students can schedule lessons at their convenience, without fear of running out of lessons in their lesson bank. We hope that this new approach will contribute to a more positive, more stimulating and less intimidating learning environment.
Zabrotski got his start as a software engineer at the tender age of 16. Over the past eight years, he has honed his skills in international companies across diverse sectors, contributing to his understanding of technology’s role in education. His experience as a tutor has influenced his commitment to making his platform into one that will put their tutors’ and students’ satisfaction first.
He got collaborative—he partnered up with his wife, Daria Simonyan, to start Speekl. Combined, they opened the company with only a pair of tutors at first. This involved Simonyan, and even one of Zabrotski’s own professors. Given the tremendous growth of the platform, there’s been an increase in need and thus opportunity for tutors. What makes Speekl unique is that it lets them retain all 100 percent of their revenue.
As you can guess, Simonyan is a key player in establishing and maintaining Speekl’s marketing and social media presence. Her engaging and smart blog on teaching English and language learning further boosts the platform’s profile. It is mostly overlooked as a treasure trove of information about the needs and interests of students. Zabrotski’s technical expertise and Simonyan’s understanding of pedagogy form inspirational synergy. In tandem, they are passionate advocates for creating the best language learning experience possible.
Going forward, Zabrotski sees Speekl as the place where real-world tutors share the stage with AI-powered tools that facilitate peer learning. Through this partnership we seek to create the most immersive and effective learning environment possible to prepare our future technology leaders. By combining the power of technology with the value of human interaction, Speekl aims to help learners take control of their education and get more personalized learning experiences.
Additionally, Speekl’s model means students can book as many lessons as they’d like without the fear of their lesson bank vanishing. This level of flexibility is critical for today’s busy learners. It frees them up to pursue the language goals that matter to them without extra pressure. This emphasis on flexibility is an important shift, given the needs of today’s education, which is drastically moving towards pedagogical use of technology to drive student learning.
