Unlocking career growth and confidence through equal access to empowered Spoken English competency
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Vijendran Watson, Founder Chairman - Selvern Trust
In the following Q&A, Vijendran Watson, Founder Chairman of the Selvern Trust, discusses the empowerment-focused initiative behind SELVE (Speak English Language Very Easily), a new AI-driven Spoken English app designed exclusively for Sri Lankans. He examines the role Spoken English skills play in unlocking confidence and career growth within local and foreign contexts, detailing how SELVE is giving citizens the power to find their own voices.
What observable gap in the professional Sri Lankan landscape inspired the
creation of SELVE?
A: Sri Lankans have consistently demonstrated an ability to read and write well in English, proving that the problem isn’t one of knowledge. It’s a lack of confidence that prevents people from conversing confidently in English.
The advent of AI proved a pivotal turning point for us to create a safe, judgement-free space for people to become more comfortable in developing Spoken English skills.
Our goal was grounded in removing the fear of judgement that most Sri Lankans face when speaking English. SELVE emerged out of a need to empower talented individuals. We wanted to resolve the anxiety that causes people to underperform at interviews, struggle while working in multinational companies, and in accessing global job markets.
Could you describe the broader vision that powers the Selvern Trust?
A: Our north star is helping Sri Lankan youth unlock their potential through affordable and accessible educational resources. We aim to replace the bottlenecks of confidence in expressing their skills and expertise into avenues for growth and career mobility.
The central tenets of our vision are inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability. Our mission-led intent was to put a unique tool into the hands of people for a very nominal fee. It costs only 10 rupees a day to use the app’s AI-powered features, which is a very reasonable incentive to improve one’s confidence in Spoken English.
What differentiates SELVE from other language acquisition apps?
A: SELVE is exclusively localised to Sri Lankan-specific contexts. It offers Sinhala and Tamil integration, allowing users to interact in their native language. However, the AI component ensures that the responses they receive will be in English, continuing consistent immersion in the language-acquisition process.
Unlike other apps, SELVE’s strength lies in identifying individuals who know English but lack the confidence to speak fluently. It also compliments the efforts of any person learning English language, giving them someone to practice speaking with outside the classroom.: How has SELVE been received
since its launch?
A: SELVE’s reception has been immensely positive and encouraging across corporate and social circles. Since the launch, we’ve amassed 500 active users and received significant interest from private sector organisations and NGOs. It signals SELVE’s growth into a sustainable tool that’ll offer real value to Sinhala and Tamil speakers who want to improve their confidence in speaking English.
Nearly 15 to 20 corporates have expressed interest in integrating SELVE into their internal programmes and CSR initiatives. We also signed an agreement with Foundation.lk whose 50 DigiSavvy centres across the country teach English, IT, and other entrepreneurial skills.
Moreover, we’re pleased at the app’s growing ability to sustainably bridge the gap between formal English instruction and the lack of speaking opportunities.
Could you describe the in-app experience for a user as they begin and
progress through the app?
A: The app offers a simple evaluation based on a preliminary conversation between AI and the user. This conversation establishes a baseline for the AI to begin leading users through lessons. For a beginner, it starts with basic lessons such as days of the week, family, and simple greetings. There is an emphasis on real-life scenarios. Consistent use creates confidence in Spoken English capabilities. This confidence continues to build through practice in AI-powered conversations. Sessions of 5-10 minutes per day compound and lead to noticeable improvements in confidence within a matter of weeks.
How does SELVE resolve the barriers that prevent learners from reaching higher levels language proficiency?
A: SELVE’s AI features encourage users to organically interact with the app in English. However, its most important feature is ensuring a user’s constant immersion in the language. The app essentially becomes a conversational partner at home. This immersion is particularly impactful for users living in places where Spoken English isn’t a norm.
The AI’s emphasis on gentle, guided lessons reorients the focus away from rigid grammar lessons to remove feelings of societal pressure and fear of embarrassment. Consequently, SELVE grants its users complete control over their learning process and environment.
It also has extensive gamification features that create an immersive, interactive experience. We have plans to expand these features even further.
What collaborative efforts went into the creation of the app?
A: SELVE emerged from the shared expertise in the fields of education, technology, and product design. The Rainbow Institute’s expertise in English language teaching and acquisition shaped SELVE’s learning framework. Its technical backbone, including the app’s AI integration and overall software, was built by Perfectus. Headstart, together with Artin, brought these efforts together by leading the project management and design of the app, including its gamification infrastructure.
How do you see the app and the Selvern Trust’s mission evolving?
A: Our broader vision is focused on scaling the app’s impact across Sri Lanka and developing sector-specific features within SELVE, including customised, real-world role-play scenarios, for individuals like drivers, homestay hosts, and small business operators to help them elevate service quality and income potential. We aim to expand its abilities to further support digital nomads looking for employment opportunities alongside executives pursuing career growth within their organisations. Looking ahead, we’re heavily invested in customising SELVE into a tool whose edge will help unlock opportunities for Sri Lankan citizens to catalyse confident breakthroughs in their professional lives.
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